• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.354-359
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate exposure levels to K2 rifle noise at a military rifle range among soldiers in training, the left and right ears of shooters, and control managers in the day and night times. Methods: For this study, we visited military rifle ranges and measured the noise of a K2 rifle with a sound level meter (3M Quest SoundPro$^{TM}$) at four different locations with values of Peak (dB(A)) and Max (dB(A)). Results: The highest peak value of impulse noise level averaged 150.4 dB(A), ranging from 149.7 to 150.5 dB(A) at the left-ear side. Impulse noise levels in the daytime were also recorded as higher than during the night. This result was significantly different between daytime and nighttime locations, such as soldier training, right ear of shooter, and control manager (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study confirmed that there is a need for proper management of impulse noise at military rifle ranges.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2017

The chemical property of cinnamaldehyde is unstable in vivo, although early experiments have shown its obvious therapeutic effects on viral myocarditis (VMC). To overcome this problem, we used cinnamaldehyde as a leading compound to synthesize derivatives. Five derivatives of cinnamaldehyde were synthesized: 4-methylcinnamaldehyde (1), 4-chlorocinnamaldehyde (2), 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde (3), ${\alpha}$-bromo-4-methylcinnamaldehyde (4), and ${\alpha}$-bromo-4-chlorocinnamaldehyde (5). Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and HeLa cells infected by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) were used to evaluate their antiviral and cytotoxic effects. In vivo BALB/c mice were infected with CVB3 for establishing VMC models. Among the derivatives, compound 4 and 5 inhibited the CVB3 in HeLa cells with the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations values of $11.38{\pm}2.22{\mu}M$ and $2.12{\pm}0.37{\mu}M$, respectively. The 50% toxic concentrations of compound 4 and 5-treated cells were 39-fold and 87-fold higher than in the cinnamaldehyde group. Compound 4 and 5 effectively reduced the viral titers and cardiac pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, compound 4 and 5 significantly inhibited the secretion, mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in CVB3-infected cardiomyocytes, indicating that brominated cinnamaldehyde not only improved the anti-vital activities for VMC, but also had potent anti-inflammatory effects in cardiomyocytes induced by CVB3.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.230-235
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• 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the health status of Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) soldiers changed after one year of military service. Methods: We selected 483 ROKAF soldiers from the 11 749 recruits who participated in the 2011 physical examination. The selected soldiers underwent another physical examination in 2012 for advancement to senior airman. Data from 2011 and 2012 were merged. To collect data on lifestyle, a questionnaire was sent to all included subjects via the military intranet e-mail service. Results: The percentage of recruits with an abnormal alanine transaminase level (normal range <40 IU/L) decreased from recruitment (13.7%) to the following year (2.7%). Moreover, the percentage of obese soldiers (body mass index ${\geq}25kg/m^2$) decreased from recruitment (20.5%) to the following year (10.4%). There was a significant change in mean duration of exercise carried out each day before ($0.8{\pm}1.3$ hours) and after ($1.0{\pm}0.7$ hours) joining the ROKAF service. Conclusions: These ROKAF soldiers were generally in good health before and after joining the armed service. After one year of military service, the health status of most soldiers improved, especially with respect to body mass index and alanine transaminase level.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.109-128
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting on organizational commitment of military hospital nursing officers. For the purpose of this study, the self-administerd questionnaire survey was done with 440 military hospital nursing officers during february, 2001. The major results of the study were summarized as follows: By path analysis using LISREL 7.0, variables such as met expectations, work involvement, pay, work definiteness, positive affectivity, family support, peer support, promotion opportunity, expectations before entering a military hospital had significant positive effect on Job satisfaction in order of size, however, vertical conflict and horizontal conflict had significant negative effect in order of size. Variables such as job satisfaction, met expectations, promotion opportunity, positive affectivity, pay had significant positive direct effect on organizational commitment in order of size, however, job routinization, job opportunity had significant negative direct effect in order of size. It was found that the following variables, listed m order of size, had significant total effects on organizational commitment: job satisfaction, met expectations, positive affectivity, promotion opportunity, pay, vertical conflict, job routinization, family support, work involvement, work definiteness, job opportunity. In considering above findings, the program or plan for job satisfaction promotion, met expectations, fair promotion opportunity, adequate pay, work definiteness, solving conflict, positive affectivity promotion would be implemented to increase organizational commitment of military hospital nursing officers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.261-265
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate noise level exposures at different locations such as the left and right ears of the shooter, control room, waiting soldier location and drill ground. For this study, we visited two military rifle ranges and took measurements with a sound level meter (3M Quest SoundPro TM) at five different locations with values of Peak (dB(A)) and Max (dB(A)). The highest peak value of impulse noise level averaged 150.4 dB(A), ranging from 149.6 to 150.5 dB(A) at both the left and right ear sides. This result was significantly different between both left and right ear side locations and at other locations such as the control room, waiting soldier location, and drill ground (P < 0.001). Frequency of impulse noise exposure level showed that the left ear of shooter had the highest frequency (20 times) at over 150 dB(A). This study confirmed that there is a need for proper controls to reduce the amount of impulse noise exposure at military rifle ranges.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.4103-4107
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• 2015

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is the standardized therapy for intermediate stage HCC. However, the prognosis for HCC patients treated by TACE greatly varies. Thus, there is a critical need for finding biomarkers to predict the prognosis of HCC patients. The amino acid transporter-2 (ASCT2) is involved in tumorigenesis and progression of many malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive role of two single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs, rs3826793 and rs2070246) in the ASCT2 gene in HCC patients treated by TACE. Materials and Methods: Two functional SNPs (rs3826793 and rs2070246) in the ASCT2 gene were selected and genotyped using the Sequenom iPLEX genotyping system in a cohort of 448 unresectable Chinese HCC patients treated by TACE. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier curves were used for the prognosis analyses. Results: There was no significant association between two SNPs (rs3826793 and rs2070246) in the ASCT2 gene and overall survival of TACE treated HCC patients. However, we demonstrated that patients with early stage HCC carrying T genotype in rs2070246 showed better OS than those carrying CC genotype (P=0.023). Conclusions: We demonstrated that patients with early stage HCC carrying T genotype in rs2070246 showed better OS than those carrying CC genotype.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.11.1-11.12
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• 2018

USP15 has been shown to stabilize transcription factors, to be amplified in many cancers and to mediate cancer cell survival. However, the underlying mechanism by which USP15 regulates multiple myeloma (MM) cell proliferation and apoptosis has not been established. Here, our results showed that USP15 mRNA expression was upregulated in MM patients. USP15 silencing induced MM cell proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, and the expression of nuclear and cytoplasmic NF-${\kappa}Bp65$, while USP15 overexpression exhibited an inverse effect. Moreover, in vivo experiments indicated that USP15 silencing inhibited MM tumor growth and NF-${\kappa}Bp65$ expression. PDTC treatment significantly inhibited USP15 overexpression-induced cell proliferation, apoptosis inhibition, and NF-${\kappa}Bp65$ expression. USP15 overexpression promoted NF-${\kappa}Bp65$ expression through inhibition of its ubiquitination, whereas NF-${\kappa}Bp65$ promoted USP15 expression as a positive regulator. Taken together, the USP15-NF-${\kappa}Bp65$ loop is involved in MM tumorigenesis and may be a potential therapeutic target for MM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4807-4814
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• 2012

Purpose: The chemoresistance of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to cytotoxic drugs, especially intrinsic or acquired multidrug resistance (MDR), still remains a major challenge in the management of HCC. In the present study, possible mechanisms involved in MDR of HCC were identified using a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant human HCC cell line. Methods: BEL-7402/5-FU cells were established through continuous culturing parental BEL-7402 cells, imitating the pattern of chemotherapy clinically. Growth curves and chemosensitivity to cytotoxic drugs were determined by MTT assay. Doubling times, colony formation and adherence rates were calculated after cell counting. Morphological alteration, karyotype morphology, and untrastructure were assessed under optical and electron microscopes. The distribution in the cell cycle and drug efflux pump activity were measured by flow cytometry. Furthermore, expression of potential genes involved in MDR of BEL-7402/5-FU cells were detected by immunocytochemistry. Results: Compared to its parental cells, BEL-7402/5-FU cells had a prolonged doubling time, a lower mitotic index, colony efficiency and adhesive ability, and a decreased drug efflux pump activity. The resistant cells tended to grow in clusters and apparent changes of ultrastructures occurred. BEL-7402/5-FU cells presented with an increased proportion in S and G2/M phases with a concomitant decrease in G0/G1 phase. The MDR phenotype of BEL-7402/5-FU might be partly attributed to increased drug efflux pump activity via multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), overexpression of thymidylate synthase (TS), resistance to apoptosis by augmentation of the Bcl-xl/Bax ratio, and intracellular adhesion medicated by E-cadherin (E-cad). P-glycoprotein (P-gp) might play a limited role in the MDR of BEL-7402/5-FU. Conclusion: Increased activity or expression of MRP1, Bcl-xl, TS, and E-cad appear to be involved in the MDR mechanism of BEL-7402/5-FU.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4205-4208
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore change and significance of serum carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) before and after gefitinib therapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Forty patients with advanced NSCLCs in III~IV stages were selected as study objects given gefitinib therapy combined with routine local radiotherapy until tumor progression or intolerable toxicity. After treatment, all patients were divided into control and non-control groups according to the results of evaluation based on RECIST 1.1 (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors in 2009). Peripheral fasting blood from all patients was collected in the early morning and serum CEA was assessed by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) before and after treatment. Before treatment, patients were divided into high CEA group (CEA level > 50 ng/mL) and low CEA group (CEA level ${\leq}$ 50 ng/mL). Adverse reactions were noted and progression-free survival (PFS) in both groups was recorded after long-term follow-up that ended in December, 2012. Results: There was no difference between control and non-control groups in CEA level before treatment (P>0.05), whereas serum CEA decreased more markedly lower in the control group after treatment (P<0.01). All patients were divided into high CEA group (26) and low CEA group (14) according to serum CEA level. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in adverse reactions (P>0.05) but the rate in former group was lower. Additionally, survival rates at 9 and 12 months in high CEA group were clearly higher than in the low CEA group (P<0.01). Conclusions: Serum CEA level can serve as a biochemical index to evaluate the prognosis with gefitinib treatment for NSCLC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.275-282
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most-common malignancy of women worldwide. Though there are differences among developed and developing countries, BC remains the most common cancer type of women in Turkey. Objective: This study aimed to identify the level of knowledge, awareness, and their potential predictors towards BC in Ankara, Turkey. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive study was conducted on 376 females attending a breast health outpatient clinic. A self-administered questionnaire was designed to evaluate knowledge level about BC and predictors effecting its level. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the participants was $46.2{\pm}9.93$ (22-75). The majority (92.6 %) were married; 41.5% were educated less than nine years. Most of the women were housewives (82.7%) and, were living in an urban region (86.4%). Predictors of effecting responses to seven knowledge and awareness questions about BC varied from demographic features including older age groups, higher educational levels, being married, living in an urban area, being employee, smoking, having greater BMI to additional attributes associated breast health such as the increased number of births, applying for the purpose of control, positive family history of breast diseases, any diagnoses of breast diseases and performing BSE practice. Conclusions: It was determined that females in Turkey have better knowledge of BC than other developing countries even though it is not at the desired level. These findings revealed that females should be more informed about BC risk factors, prognosis and treatments by primary health-care providers to counteract the ascending burden of this disease.