• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.15
• /
• pp.6711-6714
• /
• 2015

Background: Insomnia is a common condition in cancer patients. In spite of the high prevalence its associations have not been well studied. Existing data suggests that insomnia is related to depression and pain. However, the impact of ongoing chemotherapy on sleep is not investigated. Aim: To study the relationship between insomnia and chemotherapy after analysing confounding variables. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients who visited New England Oncology Clinic in Tamworth were recruited. Insomnia was assessed with the Bergen insomnia scale. The Montgomery Asberg Depression rating scale was used to measure depression. Pain was assessed with the Brief Pain inventory. Chronic medical conditions, type of cancer, side effects to chemotherapy, role of steroids and other drugs were studied as confounders. Results: A total of 56 patients participated in the study. Age ranged from 33 to 83 years (mean: 63.6, SD=10.97). There were 29 men and 27 women. 42 patients received at least one form of chemotherapy and 15 were receiving radiotherapy at the time of assessment. Mean insomnia score was significantly higher in those receiving chemotherapy than in those without chemotherapy (8.92 vs 17.2, two tailed p=0.005, 95% CI=2.63-13.71). There was no significant variation in insomnia scores in terms of chronic medical condition, type of cancer, psychiatric history, use of steroids or adverse effects of chemotherapy. However, total insomnia score was correlated with depression rating score (Pearson correlation, r=0.39, p=0.003) and magnitude of pain (r=0.37, p=0.006). On regression analysis only pain was found to be predictive of insomnia. Conclusions: Insomnia in patients with cancer is found to be associated with concurrent chemotherapy and correlated with degree of depression and pain. Identifying factors related to insomnia in cancer population has implications in its management and patient education.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.4261-4265
• /
• 2013

Increasing scientific evidence suggests that ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) may be a powerful predictor of survival in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy after operative resection, but many existing studies have yielded inconclusive results. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the prognostic role of RRM1 in predicting survival in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine. An extensive literature search for relevant studies was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases from their inception through May 1st, 2013. This meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 12.0 software and crude hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Eight clinical studies were included in this meta-analysis with a total of 665 pancreatic cancer patients treated with adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy, including 373 patients in the high RRM1 expression group and 292 patients in the low RRM1 expression group. Our meta-analysis revealed that high RRM1 expression was associated with improved overall survival (OS) of pancreatic cancer patients (HR=1.56, 95%CI=0.95-2.17, P<0.001). High RRM1 expression also was linked to longer disease-free survival (DFS) than low RRM1 expression (HR=1.37, 95%CI=0.25-2.48, P=0.016). In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that high RRM1 expression may be associated with improved OS and DFS of pancreatic cancer patients treated with adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. Detection of RRM1 expression may be a promising biomarker for gemcitabine response and prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.221-228
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to verify the importance of apoptosis in genesis of osteosarcoma and whether apoptosis may play an important role as a predictive factor for the response to chemotherapy. Of the patients who were diagnosed osteosarcoma between January 1995 and June 1999, ten patients were selected. All specimens were obtained before and after preoperative chemotherapy and examined for the occurrence of apoptosis. Apoptosis was investigated by in situ end-labeling technique on paraffin-embedded sections and apoptotic indices were calculated before and after chemotherapy. The ages of ten patients ranged from 15 to 59 with equal sex ratio. All patients completed the planned pre-operative chemotherapy. Apoptosis occurs in osteosarcoma and apoptotic indices are increased after chemotherapy. Mean apoptotic index (AI) before and after chemotherapy were 17.2 (range 6-28.9) and 26.3 (9.6-46.2), respectively. Apoptotic cells were usually present around the necrotic area. The AI was increased as the progression of stage and in responder group more than in non-responder. Apoptosis is induced by pre-operative chemotherapy and the response is variable. Changes in AI levels before and after chemotherapy may possibly predict an individual patient's overall response.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.255-264
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study was conducted to corroborate factors affecting dental technicians recognition states of their job consciousness. Methods: Self-administering questionnaires were distributed directly to some 200 registered female dental technicians in metropolis, small & medium-sized cities, farming and fishing villages of whom 153(76.5%) female dental technicians and female students responded in December, 2009. Information on recognition states of female dental technicians and female students in department of dental technology possible occupational mind and other general characteristics was gathered. Analysis of data was processed by use of X2-test and multiple regression analysis. Results: The recognition states of occupational satisfaction were higher in female students than female dental technicians(p<.05). They were observed that between respondents with more than five years of work and less than five years of career(p<.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in recognition values of female dental technicians occupational satisfaction between high and low groups of internal characteristic of their position and all ceramic part(p<.05). Conclusion: For woman dental technicians, the most predictive variables for recognition values of occupational satisfaction were an age, between groups, which of part and career(p<.05). Finally, this result suggests the facts that in order to achieve self-realization through the work experience, women herself should get rid of the dichotomous diagram and should change the consciousness of traditional role normals.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2014

Li-air cell is an exotic type of energy storage and conversion device considered to be half battery and half fuel cell. Its successful commercialization highly depends on the timely development of key components. Among these key components, the catalyst (i.e., the core portion of the air electrode) is of critical importance and of the upmost priority. Indeed, it is expected that these catalysts will have a direct and dramatic impact on the Li-air cell's performance by reducing overpotentials, as well as by enhancing the overall capacity and cycle life of Li-air cells. Unfortunately, the technological advancement related to catalysts is sluggish at present. Based on the insights gained from this review, this sluggishness is due to challenges in both the commercialization of the catalyst, and the fundamental studies pertaining to its development. Challenges in the commercialization of the catalyst can be summarized as 1) the identification of superior materials for Li-air cell catalysts, 2) the development of fundamental, material-based assessments for potential catalyst materials, 3) the achievement of a reduction in both cost and time concerning the design of the Li-air cell catalysts. As for the challenges concerning the fundamental studies of Li-air cell catalysts, they are 1) the development of experimental techniques for determining both the nano and micro structure of catalysts, 2) the attainment of both repeatable and verifiable experimental characteristics of catalyst degradation, 3) the development of the predictive capability pertaining to the performance of the catalyst using fundamental material properties. Therefore, under the current circumstances, it is going to be an extremely daunting task to develop appropriate catalysts for the commercialization of Li-air batteries; at least within the foreseeable future. Regardless, nano materials are expected to play a crucial role in this field.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.12
• /
• pp.4965-4969
• /
• 2015

LCN2 (Lipocalin 2) is a 25 KD secreted acute phase protein, reported to be a novel regulator of angiogenesis in breast cancer. Up regulation of LCN2 had been observed in multiple cancers including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer. However, the role of LCN2 promoter methylation in the formation of microvessels is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of LCN 2 promoter methylation with microvessel formation and tumor cell proliferation in breast cancer patients. The LCN2 promoter methylation status was studied in 64 breast cancer tumors by methylation specific PCR (MSP). Evaluation of microvessel density (MVD) and Ki67 cell proliferation index was achieved by immunohistochemical staining using CD34 and MIB-1 antibodies, respectively. LCN2 promoter unmethylation status was observed in 43 (67.2%) of breast cancer patients whereas LCN2 methylation status was seen in 21 (32.8%). Further, LCN2 promoter unmethylation status was associated with aggressive tumor phenotype and elevated mean MVD in breast cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.321-326
• /
• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic role of metabolic response to chemotherapy, determined by FDG-PET, in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with metastatic NSCLC were analyzed for prognostic factors related to overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Disease evaluation was conducted with FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT prior to and at the end of first-line chemotherapy. Response evaluation of 19 of 30 patients was also performed after 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy. Morphological and metabolic responses were assessed according to RECIST and PERCIST, respectively. Results: The median OS and PFS were 11 months and 6.2 months, respectively. At the end of first-line chemotherapy, 10 patients achieved metabolic and anatomic responses. Of the 19 patients who had an interim response analysis after 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy, 3 achieved an anatomic response, while 9 achieved a metabolic response. In univariate analyses, favorable prognostic factors for OS were number of cycles of first-line chemotherapy, and achieving a response to chemotherapy at completion of therapy according to the PERCIST and RECIST. The OS of patients with a metabolic response after 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy was also significantly extended. Anatomic response at interim analysis did not predict OS, probably due to few patients with anatomic response. In multivariate analyses, metabolic response after completion of therapy was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Conclusions: Metabolic response is at least as effective as anatomic response in predicting survival. Metabolic response may be an earlier predictive factor for treatment response and OS in NSCLC patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.7
• /
• pp.3247-3252
• /
• 2012

Aim: We conducted a prospective study in an Chinese population to detect associations of GSTM, GSTT and GSTP polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and analyze roles in determining survival outcome. Methods: A prospective follow-up study was conducted with 476 HCC patients and 481 controls collected from May 2005 to May 2007. All patients were followed up until the end of Dec. 2011. GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotyping were performed by PCR-CTPP methods. Results: Null GSTM1 carriers had a 1.64 fold risk of HCC compared with non-null genotype, while GSTP1 Val/Val carriers had a 93% increased risk over the GSTP1 IIe/IIe genotype. The median follow-up time for the 476 patients was 34.2 months (range: 1 to 78 months). Individuals with null GSTM1 genotype had better survival of HCC than non-null genotype carriers (HR=0.71, 95%CI=0.45-0.95). Similarly, GSTP1 Val/Val genotypes had significant better survival than the GSTP1 IIe/IIe genotype (HR=0.34, 95%CI=0.18-0.65). Individuals carrying null GSTM1 and GSTP1 Val/Val who received chemotherapy had lower risk of death from HCC than those without chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study indicated carriage of null GSTM1 and GSTP1 Val/Val genotypes to have roles in susceptibility to and survival from HCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.7
• /
• pp.3319-3323
• /
• 2012

Objective: The results from the published studies on the association between prohibitin 3' untranslated region C > T gene polymorphism and cancer risk are conflicting. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship with cancer susceptibility overall, and to explore whether the T allele or TT genotype could become a predictive marker for cancer risk. Methods: Association studies were identified from the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library as of March 1, 2012, and eligible investigations were synthesized using the meta-analysis method. Results were expressed with odds ratios (OR) for dichotomous data, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated. Results: Six investigations were identified for the analysis of association between the prohibitin 3' untranslated region C > T gene polymorphism and cancer risk, covering of 1,461 patients with cancer and 1,197 controls. There was a positive association between the T allele and cancer susceptibility (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.39, P=0.02), and CC homozygous might play a protective role (OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-6.11, P=0.95). In the sub-group analysis, prohibitin 3' untranslated region C > T gene polymorphism and cancer risk appeared associated with the risk of breast cancer, but not ovarian cancer. Conclusions: Our results indicate that T allele is a significant genetic molecular marker to predict cancer susceptibility and CC genotype is protective, especially for breast cancer. However, more investigations are required to further clarify the association of the prohibitin 3' untranslated region C > T gene polymorphism with cancer susceptibility.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.20
• /
• pp.8581-8586
• /
• 2014

Activin is a multifunctional growth and differentiation factor of the growth factor-beta (TGF-${\beta}$) superfamily, which inhibits the proliferation of colon cancer cells. It induces phosphorylation of intracellular signaling molecules (Smads) by interacting with its type I and type II receptors. Previous studies showed that human activin receptor-interacting protein 2 (hARIP2) can reduce activin signaling by interacting with activin type II receptors; however, the activity of hARIP2 in colon cancer has yet to be detailed. In vitro, overexpression of hARIP2 reduced activin-induced transcriptional activity and enhanced cell proliferation and colony formation in human colon cancer HCT8 cells and SW620 cells. Also, hARIP2 promoted colon cancer cell apoptosis, suggesting that a vital role in the initial stage of colon carcinogenesis. In vivo, immunohistochemistry revealed that hARIP2 was expressed more frequently and much more intensely in malignant colon tissues than in controls. These results indicate that hARIP2 is involved in human colon tumorigenesis and could be a predictive maker for colon carcinoma aggressiveness.