• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2011

Purpose : To describe normal anatomy and compare the differences of external genital organs and urethra on MR imaging in pre- and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods : A total of 19 pre- and 18 postmenopausal healthy women underwent pelvis MR imaging at 1.5 T. Two radiologists retrospectively scored and compared the image quality of female external genitalia and urethra on axial T2-weighted images (T2WI) and axial fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (FSCE-T1WI) by using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The radiologists compared the wall thickness or size of external genital organs and urethra on FSCE-T1WI between two groups by using Student t test. Results : Image quality was better with FSCE-T1WI than with T2WI in all subjects (p < 0.05). The vestibular bulb, clitoris and labium minor were more clearly visualized on FSCE-T1WI in premenopausal subjects rather than in postmenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). The urethra had a target-like appearance with three layers in premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects. Postmenopausal subjects were observed to have significantly smaller vaginal wall thickness, urethral wall thickness and vestibular bulb width than premenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). Conclusion : The anatomy and morphologic changes of female external genital organs and urethra were well discernible on FSCE-T1WI.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.249-259
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• 2023

Purpose: Based on the Reserve Capacity Model, this study investigated the effects of pre- and postmenopausal women's socioeconomic status (SES) on depression, focusing on the mediating effects of self-esteem, happiness, and family relationship satisfaction with social network relationships. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved secondary analysis of national data on 771 perimenopause women gathered from the 16th Korea Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS) 2021. A path analysis model was constructed to evaluate the relationship between SES, social network satisfaction, self-esteem, perceived health status, and depression. Data were analyzed using ADANCO 2.3.1 and Mplus 8.4. Results: Although SES had no direct effect on depression, it did affect depression through self-esteem, happiness, and satisfaction with family relationships. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that perimenopausal women's personal resources—psychosocial variables such as self-esteem and happiness—had a higher effect on depression than tangible reserves like SES. Therefore, interventions for enhancing self-esteem and happiness may prevent depression in perimenopausal women effectively.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the association among bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical bone markers, nutrients, and salt intake in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. We evaluated 431 subjects who visited a health promotion center of a university hospital between January 2008 and July 2009. We excluded those who were taking medications or who had an endocrine disorder affecting osteoporosis. The subjects were divided into premenopausal (n = 283) and postmenopausal (n = 143) women. We evaluated the correlation among BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femoral, as well as biochemical bone markers, hormone, serum profiles, general characteristics, nutrient intakes, and food intake frequencies. From a stepwise multiple regression analysis, lumbar spine BMD was positively correlated with weight (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with osteocalcin (OC)(p < 0.001), Femoral neck BMD was positively correlated with weight (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with C-telopeptide (CTx) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)(p < 0.001, p < 0.05). In premenopausal women, femoral total BMD was positively correlated with BMI (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with CTx (p < 0.001). In postmenopausal women, lumbar spine BMD was positively correlated with calcium intake (p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with sodium intake (p < 0.01). Femoral neck and femoral total BMD were both positively correlated with weight (p < 0.001), and femoral neck BMD was negatively correlated with age and ALP (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). Femoral total BMD was negatively correlated with age and OC (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). These results suggest that reducing sodium intake may play an important role delaying bone resorption and preventing a decrease in BMD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1025-1036
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• 1994

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Ca and/or vitamin D supplementation for 53 weeks on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. The subjects were healthy 18 women aged from 59 to 69 years old. They were divided into three groups : placebo, Ca(1000mg/day) supplementation and Ca(1000mg/day) with vitamin D(12.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/day) supplementation. During the experimental periods except for metabolic studies, the subjects ate their usual diets and the use of drugs as well as excessive exercise was prohibited. Metabolic studies were conducted in the 1st week and in the 53rd week of the experimental periods. The subjects ate experimental diets which consisted of 1787.3kcal, 69.6g of protein, 561.5mg of Ca and 1078.6mg of P daily during both of the metabolic study periods. The results were summarized as follows; 1) Bone density of the second lumbar spine and trochanter measured after treatment decreased significantly in control group as compared with pre-experimental level(p<0.05). On the contrary, bone density of femoral neck and Ward's triangle in Ca group and the second lumbar spine in Ca.Vit D group increased significantly after treatment. 2) Serum PTH and calcitonin levels did not show any significant differences among groups before and after treatment. But serum PTH level increased significantly in all groups after treatment(P<0.05). 3) Serum Ca and P levels did not show any significant differences among groups before and after treatment. But serum Ca level increased significantly in all groups after treatment (P<0.05) and serum P level decreased significantly in Ca.Vit D group after treatment(P<0.05). 4) Mean 24-hours fecal Ca excretion of Ca group was the highest in the 1st week of treatment(P<0.01), and that of control group was the lowest in the 53rd week of treatment(P<0.01). Fecal Ca excretion increased significantly in control and Ca.Vit D group in the 53rd week of treatment(P<0.05). Urinary Ca excretion did not show any significant differences among groups in the 1st and 53rd week of treatment, but that of Ca.Vit D group was the highest the 1st week of treatment(P<0.01). In the 53rd week of treatment Ca and Ca.Vit D group showed positive Ca balance, but control group showed negative Ca balance. The above results showed that it will be difficult to prevent degenerative bone loss without Ca and/or vitamin D supplementation in postmenopausal women eating Korean usual diets.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1043-1047
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• 2002

It is well known that soy isoflavones play beneficial roles in the prevention of chronic diseases such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. However current data are not sufficient for estimating the level of isoflavone intake. To use the urinary isoflavone excretion as a maker of isoflavone intake,26 participants consumed the isoflavone extract capsule (90 mg soy isoplavones/capsule) daily for 3 months. The study compared effects of pre- and post-isoflavone supplement in the following parameters; physical examination, dietary recalls, and urinary isoflavon excretion. The average age, height and weight were 65.7 years, 149.4 cm, and 57.3 kg. Subjects maintained regular diet pattern, and average daily nutrient intakes between pre- and post- supplementation were not significantly different except vitamin A, carotene and vitamin C. There was no significant difference between pre- and post- supplementation in terms of daily isoflavone intake. The basal urinary isoflavone excretion was 8.37 mg/day (daidzein 6.23 mu genistein 2.14 mg), and average daily excretion rate was IS.8%. Urinary isoflavone excretion was significantly increased, after isoflavone supplementation for 3 months as compared the basal level (p<0.01). Our data suggest that urinary isoflavone level, especially daidzein and genistein, may be a useful maker to estimate isoflavone intake.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7467-7472
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is known to be one of the most prevalent cancers among women in both developing and developed countries. The incidence of breast cancer in Pakistan has increased dramatically within the last few years and is the second country after Israel in Asia to have highest proportional cases of breast cancer. However, there are limited data for breast cancer available in the literature from Pakistan. Objectives: The study was conducted to bring to light the common clinical presentation of breast cancer and to evaluate the frequency of established risk factors in breast carcinoma patients and furthermore to compare the findings between premenopausal and postmenopausal women in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A 6 months (from July 2012 to Dec 2012) cross sectional survey was conducted in Surgical and Oncology Units of Civil Hospital, Karachi. Data were collected though a well developed questionnaire from 105 female patients diagnosed with carcinoma of breast and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Institutional ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. Results: Out of 105 patients, 43 were premenopausal and 62 were postmenopausal, 99 being married. Mean age at diagnosis was $47.8{\pm}12.4years$. A painless lump was the most frequent symptom, notived by 77.1%(n=81). Some 55.2% (n=58) patients had a lump in the right breast and 44.8%(n=47) in the left breast. In the majority of cases, the lump was present in upper outer quadrant 41.9% (n=44). Mean period of delay from appearance of symptoms to consulting a doctor was $5.13{\pm}4.8months$, from the shortest 1 month to the longest 36 months. Long delay (> 3 months) was the most frequent figure 41.9%. Considering overall risk factors most frequent were first pregnancy after 20 years of age (41%), physical breast trauma (28.6%), lack of breast feeding(21.9%), and early menarche <11 years (19%), followed by null parity (16.2%), consumption of high fat diet (15.2%), family history of breast cancer or any other cancer in first degree relatives (9.5% and 13.3%, respectively). Some of the less common factors were late menopause >54 years (8.6%), use of oral contraceptive pills (10.5%), use of hormone replacement therapy (4.7%),smoking (4.7%) and radiation (0.96%). Significant differences (p<0.005) were observed between pre and post menopausal women regarding history of physical breast trauma, practice of breast feeding and parity. Conclusions: A painless lump was the most frequent clinical presentation noted. Overall age at first child > 20 years, physical breast trauma, lack of breast feeding, early menarche <11 were the most frequent risk factors. Physical breast trauma, lower parity, a trend for less breast feeding had more significant associations with pre-menopausal than post-menopausal onset. Increase opportunity of disease prevention can be obtained through better understanding of clinical presentation and risk factors important in the etiology of breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2008

Objectives To investigate the relationship between Heart Rate Variability and menopause among obese middle-aged women in Korea. Subjects and Methods Forty middle-aged women (age 49.05 $\pm$ 2.64 years) with BMI > $23kg/m^2$ were recruited by local advertisement. Blood profiles of estrogen, FSH, LH, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) was estimated by short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were accessed using Computerized Tomography (CT), Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA), and anthropometry. To scrutinize the influence of ANS on obesity-related factors, we divided the subjects into pre- and post-menopausal women. Results The total cholesterol, FSH and LH were significantly higher in post-menopausal obese women group. The estradiol and standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (SDNN), high-frequency components (HF) of the HRV were significantly lower in postmenopausal obese women group (P<0.05). Adipose tissue distribution and blood profiles were not significantly different between two groups. Conclusion Menopause induced a decrease in SDNN and HF values and increase in total cholesterol level in obese women although the VAT itself was not related with ANS in obese women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.675-678
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• 2015

Background: There are several validated risk factors for breast cancer. However the legitimacy of elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) is not well established. This study was designed to assess this parameter as a risk factor for breast cancer among pre- and post-menopausal women. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi from June 2010 to August 2014. Simple random sampling technique was used to collect data of study subjects comprising 175 diagnosed breast cancer patients with positive histopathology from Breast Clinic, surgical unit-1, Civil Hospital, Karachi and 175 healthy controls from various screening programs. Blood samples were analyzed for FBG and serum insulin. Results: FBG, HOMA-IR, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly raised in breast cancer cases when compared to control subjects. Cases and controls were further categorized in to two groups using cutoff value of 110mg/dl to distinguish subjects into normal fasting glucose (<110mg/dl) and having impaired fasting glucose (${\geq}110-{\leq}125mg/dl$) or diabetes (${\geq}126mg/dl$). Odds ratios were found to be 1.57, 2.15 and 1.17 in overall, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal groups, respectively. (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: A statistically significant risk of breast cancer exists in women having elevated fasting blood glucose levels, corresponding to prediabetes and diabetes, among pre and postmenopausal ages, with comparatively greater effects in the premenopausal group.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.180-184
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• 2011

Letrozole is a drug used in the treatment of postmenopausal women with breast and ovarian tumours. There is no evidence in the literature indicating its use in treating gastric cancer. We present a 68 year old lady admitted from the emergency department with weight loss, malaise and anaemia. Investigations confirmed the presence of two different primary tumours in the left breast and the stomach. Following that this patient with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer and oestrogen receptor negative gastric cancer was treated with letrozole for her breast cancer followed by a gastric resection. Independent histology by two pathologists pre-operatively diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma. Post-operatively, independent analysis of the resected stomach, omentum and lymph nodes revealed no evidence of gastric cancer. Therefore we conclude that there is a possibility of letrozole having an effect on gastric cancer. Further studies are needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2945-2948
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• 2013

Background: Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is the major cause of mammary tumors in mice. There is limited controversial evidence about the probable etiologic role of MMTV- like virus in human breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 Formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples with diagnosis of breast cancer were collected in a period of 3 years from cancer institute of Iran. We selected both pre-menopausal and post-menopausal patients with different histologic grades and different ethnic groups. We evaluated presence of MMTV-like virus env gene through real time PCR method. Results: Forty patients (20 pre and 20 postmenopausal women) were evaluated with the mean age of 49.67. The average tumor size was 39 mm. None of the studied samples were positive for MMTV-like virus env gene target sequences. Conclusions: We found no evidence on the potential role of MMTV-like virus in the carcinogenicity of breast cancer among Iranian women.