• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10263-10266
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• 2015

Background: The risk of febrile neutropaenia (FN) and treatment related death (TRD) with first line palliative chemotherapy for de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains unknown outside of a clinical trial setting despite its widespread usage. This study aimed to determine rates in a large cohort of patients treated in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Materials and Methods: Patients who were treated with first line palliative chemotherapy for de novo MBC from 2002-2011 in UMMC were identified from the UMMC Breast Cancer Registry. Information collected included patient demographics, histopathological features, treatment received, including the different chemotherapy regimens, and presence of FN and TRD. FN was defined as an oral temperature > $38.5^{\circ}C$ or two consecutive readings of > $38.0^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours and an absolute neutrophil count < $0.5{\times}10^9/L$, or expected to fall below $0.5{\times}10^9/L$ (de Naurois et al, 2010). TRD was defined as death occurring during or within 30 days of the last chemotherapy treatment, as a consequence of the chemotherapy treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 18.0 software. Survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in survival compared using log-rank test. Results: Between $1^{st}$ January 2002 and $31^{st}$ December 2011, 424 patients with MBC were treated in UMMC. A total of 186 out of 221 patients with de novo MBC who received first line palliative chemotherapy were analyzed. The mean age of patients in this study was 49.5 years (range 24 to 74 years). Biologically, ER status was negative in 54.4% of patients and Her-2 status was positive in 31.1%. A 5-flourouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) chemotherapy regimen was chosen for 86.6% of the cases. Most patients had multiple metastatic sites (58.6%). The main result of this study showed a FN rate of 5.9% and TRD rate of 3.2%. The median survival (MS) for the entire cohort was 19 months. For those with multiple metastatic sites, liver only, lung only, bone only and brain only metastatic sites, the MS was 18, 24, 19, 24 and 8 months respectively (p-value= 0.319). Conclusions: In conclusion, we surmise that FEC is a safe regimen with acceptable FN and TRD rates for de novo MBC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2495-2500
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• 2014

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In Iran, it ranks second and third as the cancer-causing death in men and women, respectively. We carried out this study to find out the demographic, clinical, and histological characteristics and risk factors of lung cancer in a referral tertiary center in Iran. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on cases of primary lung cancer based on the results of registered cancer reports of cytological and pathological specimens between March 2001 and March 2012. Demographic variables, clinical manifestations, histology and location of tumors were determined based on the data found in the medical records of each patient. Definite or probable etiologic factors were identified. Data analysis was performed with SPSS version 16 and a p-value ${\leq}0.05$ was considered as significant. Results: A total of 203 patients, with a mean age of 65.7 years (SD=11.2), with primary lung cancer were identified, 81.3% being men. Of the total, 110 cases (54.2%) were living in urban areas. In 53.2% of cases, the site of tumor was on the right side and in 72.9% of cases the lesion was centrally located. The histological types of lung cancer were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 107 cases (52.7%), adenocarcinoma (AC) in 30 cases (14.8%), and small cell carcinoma (SC) in 27 cases (13.3%). Significant correlations between the gender and residence, smoking, and the histological type and location (central or peripheral) of tumor were found. The percentage of smokers was 75.2% in men and 15.8% in women. Conclusions: Smoking was the most important risk factor and squamous cell carcinoma the most common histological type of lung cancer in our study. Male sex and being a smoker was associated with histological types of SCC while being nonsmoker had relationship with adenocarcinoma.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2012

Purpose: The study tried to figure out accommodative changes by measuring accommodative response, appearing on the full vision correction and low vision correction, with both eyes open-view auto-refractometer (Nvision-K5001, Shin-nippon, Japan). Methods: It carried out objective and subjective refractions, targeting 79 college students (58 males and 21 females) aged between 20 and 30($21.14{\pm}2.00$), by measuring accommodative changes with fixation distance at 1.0 m for eyesight of 1.0 after full version correction. The distances of 5.0 m, 1.0 m, 0.50 m, 0.33 m and 0.25 m for eyesight of 0.8, 0.7 and 0.6 after low vision correction arbitrarily added plus lens were applied. Results: the shorter measure fixation distances were, the greater changes accommodative response showed a tendency in the state of both full vision correction and low vision correction(0.7). The state of full vision correction showed a greater change of accommodative response than that of low vision correction(0.7). Both right and left eyes showed low accommodative responses in the state of low vision correction(0.7) than that of full vision correction. As a result of analyzing accommodative response at an eyesight of 0.8, 0.7, and 0.6 after low vision correction, the poorer eyesight was the lower accommodative response. Conclusions: Low vision correction from a near distance is expected to avoid unnecessary accommodative response, make eyes relaxed and prevent accommodative function disorder.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2007

Objectives: Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder with a strong genetic component. Previous neurochemical and genetic studies have suggested the possible involvement of the serotonin system in autism. Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO2) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of tryptophan, which is the precursor of serotonin synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the TDO2 gene and autism spectrum disorders(ASD) in a Korean population. Methods: The patients were diagnosed with ASD on the basis of the DSM-IV diagnostic classification outlined in the Korean version of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. The present study included the detection of four single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in the TDO2 gene(rs2292536, rs6856558, rs6830072, rs6830800) and the family-based association analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in Korean ASD trios using a transmission disequilibrium test(TDT) and haplotype analysis. The family trios of 136 probands were included in analysis. 87.5% were male and 86.0% were diagnosed with autism. The mean age of the probands was $78.5{\pm}35.8$ months(range: 26-264 months). Results: Two SNPs showed no polymorphism, and there was no significant difference in transmission in the other two SNPs. We also could not find any significant transmission in the haplotype analysis(p>.05). Conclusion: We could not find any significant statistical association between the transmission of SNPs in the TDO2 gene and ASD in a Korean population. This result may not support the possible involvement of the TDO2 gene in the development of ASD, and further exploration might be needed to investigate other plausible SNP sites.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.199-204
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• 2005

Background : Oral leukoplakia(OL) and lichen planus(LP) are common soft tissue lesions characterized by white plaque or striae with erosion. The clinical characteristics of these diseases are similar but the cause and clinical course of them are very different. I compared OL with LP by analysizing clinical and histopathological characteristics and follow up study. Patients and methods : The clinical analysis of 200 patients with OL and LP was performed by review of dental and medical charts. And H/E slides were examined under the light microscope. we examined H/E slides by the light microscope. The follow up study of patients was performed. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS/PC WINDOWS (version 13.0). Results : The age distribution of OL was in the range of 13-75 years old being most prevalent in the 5th decade and there was a tendency of male prevalent. The age distribution of LP was in the range of 20-79 years old being most prevalent in the 4th decade and there was a tendency of female prevalent. The most common site of involvement was the buccal mucosa in both diseases. The most common clinical features of OL and LP were white plaque type and white lesion with striae, respectively. In case of LP, the most common clinical sign was tenderness to palpation. Fifteen cases of OL and eight cases of LP showed epithelial dysplasia. Twelve cases of OL recurred after surgery of oral squamous cell carcinoma and 2 cases of LP were transformed into oral squamous carcinoma. Conclusion : There was statistically significant difference in age, sex, clinical signs of patients, frequency of epithelial dysplasia between OL and LP. The Pearson coefficient correlation efficient was 0.51(p < 0.05). The knowledge of the difference between OL and LP can help understand these diseases.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.359-362
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• 2011

Purpose: This study evaluated the clinical applications of implant placement and guided bone regeneration using a mineralized bone allograft and a barrier membrane derived from ox pericardium Methods: From January 2007 to June 2009, among the patients who received an implant at Chosun University Dental Hospital, patients were selected if they were treated with guided bone regeneration (GBR) with simultaneous implant placement or GBR prior to implant placement. The selected patients were sorted according to the materials and membranes used in GBR, and the implant survival rate was recorded by clinical examination and reviewing the medical records and the radiographs. Each study list was analyzed by SPSS (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., USA) software and the survival rate was verified by Chi-square tests. $P$ values less than 0.05% were deemed significant. Results: 278 implants were placed on a total of 101 patients and 8 implants resulted in failure. Three implants failed among 15 implants with only a mineralized bone allograft. No failure was shown among the 74 implants placed with mineralized bone allograft and a barrier membrane derived from ox pericardium. One group of 4 implant placements showed failure among the 102 implants placed with a mineralized bone allograft and another bone graft material. The group that had a barrier membrane derived from ox pericardium with a mineralized bone allograft or other bone materials showed no implant failure. Three failures were shown among the 21 implants placed with only bone graft and not using a membrane. The group with membranes other than a barrier membrane derived from ox pericardium showed 5 failures among 170 implants. Conclusion: The implant survival rate of the group with GBR using a mineralized bone allograft was 96.3%, which meant there was little difference compared to the groups of another bone graft materials (98.9%). The implant survival rate of the group without a membrane-was 85.7% and it showed a significant difference compared to the group using a barrier membrane derived from ox pericardium (100%) and the group using another membrane (97.1%).

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2006

Objectives: Obesity is one of risk factors for psychological and social adjustment problems (depression, low self esteem, low school function etc). Quality of life(QOL) is comprehensive and multidimensional construct including physical, emotional, social and school functioning. Some authors reported that child and adolescent obesity is associated with impaired QOL. This study was to examine the association between QOL and body mass index (BMI) in middle school students. Methods : Cross sectional analysis of 471 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 14 years ($mean{\pm}SD,\;13.4{\pm}0.6$), who attended one of middle schools in Seoul, Korea. Participants' QOL were scored by using Korean version of pediatric QOL inventory generic score scale ($PedsQL^{TM}$ 4.0). Participants had a $mean{\pm}SD\;BMI\;of\;21.3{\pm}4.0$. Self reports and parent proxy reports using $PedsQL^{TM}$ 4.0 were administered to measure participant's QOL. Participants were divided into four groups by BMI (Male: obesity group >26.5, at risk group 23.2-26.5, normal weight group 15.8-23.1, underweight group <15.8, Female : obesity group >25.2, at risk group 22.9-25.2, normal weight group 16.0-22.8, underweight group <16.0). Results : Compared with other groups, obese adolescents reported significantly(p<0.01) love. QOL in all domains. Obese adolescents were more likely to have impaired QOL than normal weight adolescents (Odds Ratio, 8.3, 95% confidence interval, 4.0-16.7). Conclusion : Obese adolescents have lower QOL than normal weight adolescents. Psychiatrist, parents, and teachers need to be informed of the risk fur impaired QOL in obese adolescents to target interventions that could enhance health outcomes.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.297-306
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among an achievement, a meaningful learning orientation and a reasoning ability. 149 third grade middle school students were tested. The achievement test was designed to measure students' interrelated understanding of genetics. A modified LPQ(Learning Process Questionnaires) was used to measure students' meaningful learning orientation. Students' reasoning ability were identified by the short version GALT(Group Assessment of Logical Thinking). Correlations between different variables were examined. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictive influence of meaningful learning orientation and reasoning ability on the achievement of students. And ANCOVA was used to identify the interaction of these variables on students' achievement. Students did not understand well enough the concepts of genetics. Meaningful learning orientation indicated a significant gender difference. Girls tend to do more meaningful learning than boys(p<.05). Many students(48.76%) were at the transitional cognitive level. Results of correlations indicated that students' attainment of meaningful understanding was significantly and positively related with a meaningful learning orientation and a reasoning ability. But there was no significant correlation between students' meaningful learning orientation and reasoning ability. Regression analyses indicated that learning orientation and reasoning ability were able to predict the achievement of students. They predicted better on solving genetics problem than understanding genetics problem. Results of ANCOVA showed that the test scores of genetics were significantly different according to not only learning orientation levels but also cognitive levels. But, there was no interaction between learning orientation and cognitive levels. Within the transitional and formal cognitive level, the meaningful learners performed significantly better than the rote learners on the test of genetics.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.319-329
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was performed to determine the levels of quality of life (QOL) according to the grade of long-term care service for the elderly people who were admitted from long-term care insurance, and to reveal its association with the physical and mental functioning such as the Activity of Daily Living (ADL), the Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean version (MMSE-K). Methods: The interviews were performed during the period from March 1 to May 31, 2009, for 958 elderly people in urban and rural areas. The questionnaire items included various indices such as the ADL, IADL, CES-D, and MMSE-K, as independent variables and the index of QOL, as the dependent ones. For statistical analysis, t-tests were used for the mean scores of QOL according to gender and the grade of long-term care services, and Spearman's correlation was used for each variable. The effects of physical and mental functioning for QOL were assessed by covariance structure analysis. The statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The mean scores of QOL among all the subjects was $55.4{\pm}15.62$ (Grade I: $49.7{\pm}14.17$, Grade II: $56.8{\pm}14.62$, Grade III: $59.4{\pm}16.36$), and it was lower according to the higher grade of long-term care insurance. In terms of the correlation matrix of the QOL and the physical and mental function factors, the QOL showed positive correlation with the ADL, IADL and MMSE-K, while it had negative correlation with depression. On the analysis of covariance, mental functioning (depression and the MMSE-K) had a greater influence on the level of QOL than the physical functioning (ADL and IADL). Conclusions: The level of the QOL in the elderly people who were admitted from long-term care insurance was lower according to higher the grade of long-term care insurance. Also, the mental functioning (depression and MMSE-K) was more influential on the level of the QOL than the physical functioning (ADL and IADL).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with the spatial distribution of the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the neighborhoods of Tehran, Iran using Bayesian spatial models. Methods: This ecological study was implemented in Tehran on the neighborhood level. Socioeconomic variables, risk factors, and health costs were extracted from the Equity Assessment Study conducted in Tehran. The data on CRC incidence were extracted from the Iranian population-based cancer registry. The $Besag-York-Molli{\acute{e}}$ (BYM) model was used to identify factors associated with the spatial distribution of CRC incidence. The software programs OpenBUGS version 3.2.3, ArcGIS 10.3, and GeoDa were used for the analysis. Results: The Moran index was statistically significant for all the variables studied (p<0.05). The BYM model showed that having a women head of household (median standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 2.53), living in a rental house (median SIR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.96), not consuming milk daily (median SIR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.94) and having greater household health expenditures (median SIR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.68) were associated with a statistically significant elevation in the SIR of CRC. The median (interquartile range) and mean (standard deviation) values of the SIR of CRC, with the inclusion of all the variables studied in the model, were 0.57 (1.01) and 1.05 (1.31), respectively. Conclusions: Inequality was found in the spatial distribution of CRC incidence in Tehran on the neighborhood level. Paying attention to this inequality and the factors associated with it may be useful for resource allocation and developing preventive strategies in at-risk areas.