• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2014

Background: Meningiomas are the second most common primary intracranial tumors after gliomas. Epigenetic biomarkers such as DNA methylation, which is found in many tumors and is thus important in tumorigenesis can help diagnose meningiomas and predict response to adjuvant chemotherapy. We investigated aberrant O6-methyl guanine methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation in meningiomas. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients were classified according to the WHO grading, and MGMT promoter methylation status was examined via the methylation-Specific PCR(MSP) method. Results: MGMT promoter methylation was found in 22.2% of grade I, 35% of grade I with atypical features, 36% of grade II, and 42.9% of grade III tumors. Conclusions: There was an increase, albeit not statistically significant, in MGMT methylation with a rise in the tumor grade. Higher methylation levels were also observed in the male gender.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2793-2796
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• 2014

Background: Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is a highly aggressive tumor with median survival of approximately 14 months. Management consists of maximal surgical resection followed by post-operative chemoradiation with concurrent then adjuvant temozolamide. The standard radiotherapy dose is 60Gy in 2-Gy fractions recommended by the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG). With the vast majority of tumor recurrences occurring within the previous irradiation field and the poor outcome associated with standard therapy, regimens designed to deliver higher radiation doses to improve local control and enhance survival are needed. In this study, we report a single institutional experience in treatment of 68 consecutive patients with GBM, treated with resection, and given post-operative radiotherapy followed by concurrent and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Of the 80 patients who entered this study, 68 completed the treatment course; 45 (66.2%) males and 23 (33.8%) females with a mean age at diagnosis of $49.0{\pm}12.9$ (21-75) years. At a median follow up of 19 months, 39 (57.3%) patients had evidence of tumor progression and 36 (52.9%) had died. The median over all survival for all patients was 16 months and progression free survival for all patients was 6.02 months. All potential prognostic factors were analyzed to evaluate their effects on overall survival. Age ${\leq}50$ year, concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy and extent of surgery had significant p values. We found lower progression rate among patients who received higher doses of radiotherapy (>60Gy). Higher radiation doses improved progression free survival (p=0.03). Despite increasing overall survival, this elevation was not significant. Conclusions: This study emphasize that higher radiation doses of (>60Gy) can improve local control and potentially survival, so we strongly advise prospective multi centric studies to evaluate the role of higher doses of radiotherapy on GBM patient outcome.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2847-2850
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• 2014

Background: Retinoblastoma is a rare malignant intraocular neoplasm. About 90% of cases feature a germline mutation in the RB1 gene and these will develop retinoblastoma during their early childhood. An association between mutations in germline cells and aging has been demonstrated. This suggests a higher incidence of childhood cancer including retinoblastoma among children of older parents. Materials and Methods: In the present study we aimed to determine the association of paternal and maternal age with an increased risk of retinoblastoma in a case-control study in Iranian population. The study was carried out on 240 persons who were born during 1984-2012 in Mahak and Mofid hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The statistical analysis included studying the mean age of parents and in order to know whether parental age of patients is different from parental age of control group, (t-test) compare averages test is used perfectly. By binary logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: The results of statistical analysis including the study of mean parental age by the use of (t-test) compare averages test showed a significant difference between parental ages of patients and controls. Logistic regression showed that coefficients were significant for maternal but not paternal age. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that advanced maternal age can increase the risk of retinoblastoma in offspring, but the paternal age has no significant effect.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4839-4842
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• 2014

Background: Although the Cox's proportional hazard model is the popular approach for survival analysis to investigate significant risk factors of cancer patient survival, it is not appropriate in the case of log-term disease free survival. Recently, cure rate models have been introduced to distinguish between clinical determinants of cure and variables associated with the time to event of interest. The aim of this study was to use a cure rate model to determine the clinical associated factors for cure rates of patients with breast cancer (BC). Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study covered 305 patients with BC, admitted at Shahid Faiazbakhsh Hospital, Tehran, during 2006 to 2008 and followed until April 2012. Cases of patient death were confirmed by telephone contact. For data analysis, a non-mixed cure rate model with Poisson distribution and negative binomial distribution were employed. All analyses were carried out using a developed Macro in WinBugs. Deviance information criteria (DIC) were employed to find the best model. Results: The overall 1-year, 3-year and 5-year relative survival rates were 97%, 89% and 74%. Metastasis and stage of BC were the significant factors, but age was significant only in negative binomial model. The DIC also showed that the negative binomial model had a better fit. Conclusions: This study indicated that, metastasis and stage of BC were identified as the clinical criteria for cure rates. There are limited studies on BC survival which employed these cure rate models to identify the clinical factors associated with cure. These models are better than Cox, in the case of long-term survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5083-5088
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• 2014

Background: Scientometrics is a useful method for management of financial and human resources and has been applied many times in medical sciences during recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of science production by Iranian scientists in the gastric cancer field based on the Medline database. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-cross sectional study Iranian science production concerning gastric cancer during 2000-2011 was investigated based on Medline. After two stages of searching, 121 articles were found, then we reviewed publication date, authors names, journal title, impact factor (IF), and cooperation coefficient between researchers. SPSS.19 was used for statistical analysis. Results: There was a significant increase in published articles about gastric cancer by Iranian researchers in Medline database during 2006-2011. Mean cooperation coefficient between researchers was $6.14{\pm}3.29$ person per article. Articles of this field were published in 19 countries and 56 journals. Those basex in Thailand, England, and America had the most published Iranian articles. Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Mohammadreza Zali had the most outstanding role in publishing scientific articles. Conclusions: According to results of this study, improving cooperation of researchers in conducting research and scientometric studies about other fields may have an important role in increasing both quality and quantity of published studies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7719-7724
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• 2013

Background: Overexpression of survivin, a known inhibitor of apoptosis, is associated with tumor progression and drug resistance in numerous malignancies, including leukemias. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a specific survivin small interference RNA (siRNA) on proliferation and the sensitivity of HL-60 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells to the chemotherapeutic drug etoposide. Materials and Methods: The cells were transfected with siRNAs using Lipofectamine $^{TM}2000$ transfection reagent. Relative survivin mRNA and protein levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Trypan blue exclusion assays were performed to monitor tumor cell proliferation after siRNA transfection. The cytotoxic effects of etoposide and survivin siRNA, alone and in combination, on leukemic cells were determined using MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed by ELISA cell death assay. Results: Survivin siRNA markedly reduced both mRNA and protein expression levels in a time-dependent manner, leading to distinct inhibition of cell proliferation and increased spontaneous apoptosis. Surprisingly, survivin siRNA synergistically increased the cell toxic effects of etoposide. Moreover, survivin down-regulation significantly enhanced its induction of apoptosis. Conclusions: Our study suggests that down-regulation of survivin by siRNA can trigger apoptosis and overcome drug resistance of leukemia cells. Therefore, survivin siRNA may be an effective adjuvant in AML chemotherapy.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1303-1313
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• 2014

Dynamic behavior of the harmonic detection part of an active power filter (APF) has an essential role in filter compensation performances during transient conditions. Instantaneous power (p-q) theory is extensively used to design harmonic detectors for active filters. Large overshoot of p-q theory method deteriorates filter response at a large and rapid load change. In this study the harmonic estimation of an APF during transient conditions for balanced three-phase nonlinear loads is conducted. A novel fuzzy instantaneous power (FIP) theory is proposed to improve conventional p-q theory dynamic performances during transient conditions to adapt automatically to any random and rapid nonlinear load change. Adding fuzzy rules in p-q theory improves the decomposition of the alternating current components of active and reactive power signals and develops correct reference during rapid and random current variation. Modifying p-q theory internal high-pass filter performance using fuzzy rules without any drawback is a prospect. In the simulated system using MATLAB/SIMULINK, the shunt active filter is connected to a rapidly time-varying nonlinear load. The harmonic detection parts of the shunt active filter are developed for FIP theory-based and p-q theory-based algorithms. The harmonic detector hardware is also developed using the TMS320F28335 digital signal processor and connected to a laboratory nonlinear load. The software is developed for FIP theory-based and p-q theory-based algorithms. The simulation and experimental tests results verify the ability of the new technique in harmonic detection of rapid changing nonlinear loads.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8619-8623
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is a common disorder in women, constituting one of the main causes of death all over the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of the breast tissue diseases by the help of thermography. Materials and Methods: In this paper, we applied non-contact infrared camera, INFREC R500 for evaluating the capabilities of thermography. The study was conducted on 60 patients suspected of breast disease, who were referred to Imam Khomeini Imaging Center. Information obtained from the questionnaires and clinical examinations along with the obtained diagnostic results from ultrasound images, biopsies and thermography, were analyzed. The results indicated that the use of thermography as well as the asymmetry technique is useful in identifying hypoechoic as well as cystic masses. It should be noted that the patient should not suffer from breast discharge. Results: The accuracy of asymmetry technique identification is respectively 91/89% and 92/30%. Also the accuracy of the exact location of identification is on the 61/53% and 75%. The approach also proved effective in identifying heterogeneous lesions, fibroadenomas, and intraductal masses, but not ISO-echoes and calcified masses. Conclusions: According to the results of the investigation, thermography may be useful in the initial screening and supplementation of diagnostic procedures due to its safety (its non-radiation properties), low cost and the good recognition of breast tissue disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-13
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• 2013

Background: Esophagus cancer, the third most common gastrointestinal cancer overall, demonstrates high incidence in parts of Iran. The counties of Iran vary in size, shape and population size. The aim of this study was to account for spatial support with Area-to-Area (ATA) Poisson Kriging to increase precision of parameter estimates and yield correct variance and create maps of disease rates. Materials and Methods: This study involved application/ecology methodology, illustrated using esophagus cancer data recorded by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (in the Non-infectious Diseases Management Center) of Iran. The analysis focused on the 336 counties over the years 2003-2007. ATA was used for estimating the parameters of the map with SpaceStat and ArcGIS9.3 software for analysing the data and drawing maps. Results: Northern counties of Iran have high risk estimation. The ATA Poisson Kriging approach yielded variance increase in large sparsely populated counties. So, central counties had the most prediction variance. Conclusions: The ATAPoisson kriging approach is recommended for estimating parameters of disease mapping since this method accounts for spatial support and patterns in irregular spatial areas. The results demonstrate that the counties in provinces Ardebil, Mazandaran and Kordestan have higher risk than other counties.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2013

Background: Tumor angiogenesis correlates with recurrence and appears to be a prognostic factor for both breast and prostate cancers. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the correlation of microvessel density (MVD), a measure of angiogenesis, with nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic count, and vascular invasion in breast and prostate cancers at preclinical and clinical levels. Methods: Samples from xenograft tumors of luminal B breast cancer and prostate adenocarcinoma, established by BT-474 and PC-3 cell lines, respectively, and commensurate human paraffin-embedded blocks were obtained. To determine MVD, specimens were immunostained for CD-34. Nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic count, and vascular invasion were determined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides. Results: MVD showed significant correlations with nuclear pleomorphism (r=0.68, P=0.03) and vascular invasion (r=0.77, P=0.009) in breast cancer. In prostate cancer, MVD was significantly correlated with nuclear pleomorphism (r=0.75, P=0.013) and mitotic count (r=0.75, P=0.012). In the breast cancer xenograft model, a significant correlation was observed between MVD and vascular invasion (r=0.87, P=0.011). In the prostate cancer xenograft model, MVD was significantly correlated with all three parameters (nuclear pleomorphism, r=0.95, P=0.001; mitotic count, r=0.91, P=0.001; and vascular invasion, r=0.79, P=0.017; respectively). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that MVD is correlated with nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic count, and vascular invasion at both preclinical and clinical levels. This study therefore supports the predictive value of MVD in breast and prostate cancers.