• Title/Summary/Keyword: West Pacific

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Our Scholarly 'Pivot To Asia'

  • Xu, Weiai Wayne
    • Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.1-6
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    • 2019
  • During the Obama administration, America made a shift in its foreign policies to re-focus on Asia. The strategy, known as 'Pivot to Asia', was used to contain a rising China. In this editorial note, I appropriate the geopolitical term to call for a scholarly refocus on Asia (and the broader Asia Pacific region). JCEA started as an area journal. While it has become more technology-focused and less geographically-bounded in its coverage of topics, the journal recognizes the centrality of the region's political economy and technological forces in setting (and upsetting) global norms and rules. The Asia Pacific contains the world's freest economies as well as the most oppressive regimes. It breeds both technology giants and laggards. As new geopolitical tensions loom, it is where the digital iron curtain is drawn, and where the vice and virtue of innovations debated. Social scientists in the English world, who lend extensively on European and American cases, can benefit from studying the Asia Pacific by testing whether and how local experience conforms to or confronts with universal theories. Very likely, western-centric norms and models become morphed and entangled in the grounded local particularity, reflecting many shades of this diverse place. In my arguments below, I highlight the Asia Pacific as a site of contradiction, as well as a site of contention and negotiation. My emphasis is that regional particularity holds the key to answer concurrent debates in the West concerning governance and accountability in the digital age.

The -765G>C Polymorphism in the Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene and Digestive System Cancer: a Meta-analysis

  • Zhao, Fen;Cao, Yue;Zhu, Hong;Huang, Min;Yi, Cheng;Huang, Ying
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.19
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    • pp.8301-8310
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    • 2014
  • Background: Published data regarding associations between the -765G>C polymorphism in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene and digestive system cancer risk have been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the genetic risk of the -765G>C polymorphism in the COX-2 gene for digestive system cancer. Materials and Methods: A search was performed in Pubmed, Medline (Ovid), Embase, CNKI, Weipu, Wanfang and CBM databases, covering all studies until Feb 10, 2014. Statistical analysis was performed using Revman5.2. Results: A total of 10,814 cases and 16,174 controls in 38 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that C allele carriers (GC+CC) had a 20% increased risk of digestive system cancer when compared with the homozygote GG (odds ratio (OR)=1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00-1.44 for GC+CC vs GG). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant elevated risks were associated with C allele carriers (GC+CC) in Asians (OR = 1.46, 95% CI=1.07-2.01, and p=0.02) and Africans (OR=2.12, 95% CI=1.57-2.87, and p< 0.00001), but not among Caucasians, Americans and mixed groups. For subgroup analysis by cancer type (GC+CC vs GG), significant associations were found between the -765G>C polymorphism and higher risk for gastric cancer (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.03-2.61, and p=0.04), but not for colorectal cancer, oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and others. Regarding study design (GC+CC vs GG), no significant associations were found in then population-based case-control (PCC), hospital-based case-control (HCC) and family-based case-control (FCC) studies. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that the -765G>C polymorphism of the COX-2 gene is a potential risk factor for digestive system cancer in Asians and Africans and gastric cancer overall.

The 765G>C Polymorphism in the Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene and Gastric Cancer Risk: an Update by Meta-analysis

  • Zhao, Fen;Zhu, Hong;Huang, Min;Yi, Cheng;Huang, Ying
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.6
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    • pp.2863-2868
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    • 2014
  • Background: The 765G>C polymorphism in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene has been extensively investigated for association with gastric cancer (GC). However, the results of different studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the genetic risk of -765G>C polymorphism in the COX-2 gene for GC. Materials and Methods: We searched Pubmed, Embase, Medline, CNKI database, Wanfang database, Weipu database, and Chinese Biomedical database, covering all publications (last search been performed on Jan 10, 2014). Statistical analyses were performed using Revman 5.2 and STATA 10.0 software. Results: A total of 1,874 cases and 3,005 controls in 10 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the variant C allele carriers (GC+CC) had a 69% increased risk of GC when compared with the homozygote GG (odds ratio (OR)=1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-2.61 for GC+CC vs GG). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant elevated risks were associated with C allele carriers in Asians (OR=1.75, 95%CI=1.40-2.18, and p<0.00001) and in Indians (OR=8.38, 95%CI=4.34-16.16, and p<0.00001) but not in Caucasians (OR=1.07, 95%CI=0.81-1.42, and p=0.62) or in Dutch (OR=0.53, 95%CI= 0.33-0.87, and p= 0.01).In the subgroup analysis by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status, a significantly increased risk was identified among H. pylori (+) (OR=3.58, 95%CI=2.33-3.50, and p<0.00001) and H. pylori (-) (OR=2.32, 95%CI=1.46-3.69, and p=0.0004). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that the -765G>C polymorphism in the COX-2 gene could be a risk factor for GC in Asians and Indians.

Contribution of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor -173G/C Gene Polymorphism to the Risk of Cancer in Chinese Population

  • Wang, Cheng-Di;Li, Tai-Ming;Ren, Zheng-Ju;Ji, Yu-Lin;Zhi, Liu-Shou
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.11
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    • pp.4597-4601
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    • 2015
  • Background: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) -173G/C (rs755622) gene polymorphism has been associated with cancer risk. Previous studies have revealed that MIF -173G/C gene polymorphism may increase cancer in the Chinese population, while results of individual published studies remain inconsistent and inconclusive.We performed this meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship. Materials and Methods: We conducted a search on PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Weipu on Dec 31, 2014.Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to assess the association. A total of eight studies including 2,186 cases and 2,285 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Results: The pooled results indicated the significant association between MIF -173G/C polymorphism and the risk of cancer for Chinese population (CC + CG vs GG: OR=1.14, 95%CI=1.02-127, pheterogeneity<0.01; P=0.023; CC vs CG+GG: OR=1.12, 95%CI=1.02-1.23, pheterogeneity<001; P=0.017;CC vs GG: OR=1.18, 95%CI=1.04-1.33, pheterogeneity<001; P=0.008; CG vs GG:OR=1.03, 95%CI=0.91-1.15, pheterogeneity<001; P=0.656; C vs G:OR=1.24, 95%CI=1.14-1.25, pheterogeneity<001; P<001). Subgroup analysis showed that in patients with "solid tumors", heterogeneity was very large (OR=0.94,95%CI=0.83-1.06,pheterogeneity=0.044; p=0.297). Within "non-solid tumors", the association became even stronger (OR=6.62, 95 % CI=4.32-10.14, pheterogeneity<0.001; p<0.001). Conclusions: This study suggested that MIF -173G/C gene polymorphism may increase increase cancer in the Chinese population.Furthermore, more larger sample and representative population-based casees and well-matched controls are needed to validate our results.

Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Intermediate Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Resection or Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

  • Xie, ZR;Luo, YL;Xiao, FM;Liu, Q;Ma, Y
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.10
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    • pp.4451-4456
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    • 2015
  • Background: The aim of our present study was to compare quality of life (QoL) between intermediate-stage (BCLC-B) HCC patients who had undergone either liver resection or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Materials and Methods: A total of 102 intermediate-stage HCC patients participated in our study, including 58 who had undergone liver resection and 44 who had undergone TACE. Baseline demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, and long-term outcomes, such as tumor recurrence, were compared and analyzed. QoL was assessed using the Short Form (SF)-36 health survey questionnaire with the mental and physical component scales (SF-36 MCS and PCS). This questionnaire was filled out at HCC diagnosis and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months after surgery. Results: For the preoperative QoL evaluation, the 8 domains related to QoL were comparable between the two groups. The PCS and MCS scores were significantly decreased in both the TACE and resection groups at1 month after surgery, and this decrease was greater in the resection group. These scores were significantly lower in the resection group compared with the TACE group (P<0.05). However, these differences disappeared at 3 and 6 months following surgery. One year after surgery, the resection group showed much higher PCS scores than the TACE patients (P=0.018), and at 2 years after surgery, the PCS and MCS scores for the resection group were significantly higher than those for the TACE group (P<0.05). Eleven patients (19.0%) in the resection group and 17 (38.6%) in the TACE group suffered HCC recurrence (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that tumor recurrence (HR=1.211, 95%CI: 1.086-1.415, P=0.012) was a significant risk factor for poorpostoperative QoL in the HCC patients.Conclusions: Due to its effects on reducing HCC recurrence and improving long-term QoL, liver resection should be the first choice for the treatment of patients with intermediate-stage HCC.

In vitro Study of the Antagonistic Effect of Low-dose Liquiritigenin on Gemcitabine-induced Capillary Leak Syndrome in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma via Inhibiting ROS-Mediated Signalling Pathways

  • Wu, Wei;Xia, Qing;Luo, Rui-Jie;Lin, Zi-Qi;Xue, Ping
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.10
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    • pp.4369-4376
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    • 2015
  • Background: To investigate in-vitro antagonistic effect of low-dose liquiritigenin on gemcitabine-induced capillary leak syndrome (CLS) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma via inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signalling pathways. Materials and Methods: Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma Panc-1 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pre-treated using low-dose liquiritigenin for 24 h, then added into gemcitabine and incubated for 48 h. Cell viability, apoptosis rate and ROS levels of Panc-1 cells and HUVECs were respectively detected through methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) and flow cytometry. For HUVECs, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and transcellular and paracellular leak were measured using transwell assays, then poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and metal matrix proteinase-9 (MMP9) activity were assayed via kits, mRNA expressions of p53 and Rac-1 were determined through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR); The expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and PARP-1 were measured via western blotting. Results: Low-dose liquiritigenin exerted no effect on gemcitabine-induced changes of cell viability, apoptosis rate and ROS levels in Panc-1 cells, but for HUVECs, liquiritigenin ($3{\mu}M$) could remarkably elevate gemcitabine-induced decrease of cell viability, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), pro-MMP9 level and expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (p<0.01). Meanwhile, it could also significantly decrease gemcitabine-induced increase of transcellular and paracellular leak, ROS level, PARP-1 activity, Act-MMP9 level, mRNA expressions of p53 and Rac-1, expression of PARP-1 and apoptosis rate (p<0.01). Conclusions: Low-dose liquiritigenin exerts an antagonistic effect on gemcitabine-induced leak across HUVECs via inhibiting ROS-mediated signalling pathways, but without affecting gemcitabine-induced Panc-1 cell apoptosis. Therefore, low-dose liquiritigenin might be beneficial to prevent the occurrence of gemcitabine-induced CLS in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

On the Development of 2012 El Niño (2012 엘니뇨의 발달 분석)

  • An, Soon-Il;Choi, Jung
    • Atmosphere
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.465-472
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    • 2012
  • Using various observed data, we examined the evolution of tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) during 2011-2012, with focusing on the development of 2012 El Ni$\tilde{n}$o. It is observed that a La Ni$\tilde{n}$a event during 2011 was followed by a moderate El Ni$\tilde{n}$o during 2012 summer. The 2012 summer El Ni$\tilde{n}$o initiated near the west coast of South America on February 2012, and continued to expand westward till August. Given this evolutionary pattern, the 2012 summer El Ni$\tilde{n}$o can be categorized as 'Eastern Pacific (EP) El Ni$\tilde{n}$o' because Ni$\tilde{n}$o-3 index is greater than Ni$\tilde{n}$o-4 index, and it may be the first well-defined EP El Ni$\tilde{n}$o since 2001. On February 2012, this event was initiated mainly by the local air-sea interaction, and at the same time the ocean heat content was accumulated over the tropical western Pacific due to the easterly wind anomaly over the tropical western Pacific. Then, the accumulated heat content slowly propagates to the tropical eastern Pacific, which attributes to maintain El Ni$\tilde{n}$o state during 2012 summer. After August, the positive SST anomaly over the equatorial eastern Pacific decays possibly due to the exhausted heat content and the weakening of air-sea interaction, but the weak positive SST anomaly over the central Pacific remains till now (2012 November).

A Theoretical Study on the Causes of the Sinking Disaster of M/V Hanjin-Inchon ("한진인천"호 침몰종의 원인에 관한 이론적인 연구)

  • 윤점동;권종호;주재훈;허용범;윤순동
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Navigation
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.33-52
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    • 1987
  • The disasters of wet bound vessels have been more frequent than those of east bound ones on the sea routes of the North Pacific Ocean in winter season. M/V Hanjin-Inchon was also west bound in her missing voyage. The container vessel of 17, 676 gross tons, M/V Hanjin-Inchon owned by Hanjin Shipping Co.Ltd in Seoul Korea left seattle in west coast of U.S.A for Pusan , Korea on the 5th Feb., 1987 and sailed along the exact courses recommended by Ocean Routes until she reported her position and speed as 49-30N, 158-00E and 8 knots to her head office in Seoul by this ship's time 2200 hours on the 13th Feb., 1987. The above message turned out to be last message from her because she had been missing since then leaving no message but only two life boats of her name, three containers cases, large scale of oil slicks and the corpse of her 3rd mate drifting on the sea near the position reported by her last message.

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Age Dating of Seafloor by Interpretation of Geomagnetic Structure and Study on the Magnetic Basement of the Sea Mount (지자기 구조해석에 의한 해저년대의 측정과 해산의 자기기기반구조의 연구)

  • 신기철;한건모
    • Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.35-42
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    • 1990
  • The area where age dating of the seafloor and interpretation of geomagnetic basic structure are conducted is also important in the aspect of geophysics. Near the sea mount (water depth to the top is 3900m and 6500m to the bottom), there are Mesozoic magnetic lineations at the sea-side flank along the trench axis. A two dimensional model analysis of Talwani and Heirtzler(1964) and a three dimensional model analysis of Talwani are performed by using data obtained from the marine proton magnetometer. Distribution, direction of the lineation, amplitude and period of magnetic anomaly are correlated and analysed with speed of the plate movement and lineation of the sea mount. In the west and north-west Pacific there are lots of huge sea mounts retaining the history of oceanic crust. This indicates that geomagnetic basis subsided into the oceanic crust and has interest in the aspects of the isostasy theory of the gravity.

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Poecilostome Copepods (Crustacea: Cyclopoida) Associated with Marine Invertebrates from Tropical Waters

  • Kim, Il-Hoi
    • Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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    • no.nspc7
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    • pp.1-90
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    • 2009
  • Twenty-two new species of poecilostome copepods associated with marine invertebrates are described from the West Indies, Madagascar, and Pacific coast of Panama. They are Anthessius nosybensis n. sp. and Discanthessius solitarius n. gen. n. sp. in the Anthessiidae; Cemihyclops tenuis n. sp., Hemicyclops tripartitus n. sp., H. humesi n. sp., H. magnus n. sp., and Leptinogaster minuta n. sp. in the Clausidiidae; Schedomolgus crenulatus n. sp. and S. parvipediger n. sp. in the Anchimolgidae; Kelleria multiovigera n. sp. in the Kelleridae; Lichomolgus angustus n. sp. and L. fusiformis n. sp. in the Lichomolgidae; Pseudanthessius acutus n. sp., P. asper n. sp., and Tubiporicola pediger n. gen. n. sp. in the Pseudanthessiidae; Acanthomolgus tenuispinatus n. sp. and Notoxynus lokobensis n. sp. in the Rhynchomolgidae; Eupolymniphilus occidentalis n. sp. and E. brevicaudatus n. sp. in the Sabellephilidae; Enalcyonium robustum n. sp. and E. grandisetigerum n. sp. in the Lamippidae; and O. binoviger n. sp. in the Myicolidae. Hemicyclops geminus Stock is synonymized with H. columnaris Humes which is now known as a species of amphi-American distribution. Hemicyclops columnaris Humes, Modiolicola trabalis Humes, and Ostrincola breviseti Ho and Kim are redescribed.