• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.495-499
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• 2014

Estrogens are considered the major breast cancer risk factor, and the carcinogenic potential of estrogens might be attributed to DNA modification caused by derivatives formed during metabolism. $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$), the main steroidal estrogen present in women, is metabolized via two major pathways: formation of 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OH $E_2$) and 4-hydroxyestradiol ($4-OH\;E_2$) through the action of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1, respectively. Previous reports suggested that $2-OH\;E_2$ has putative protective effects, while $4-OH\;E_2$ is genotoxic and has potent carcinogenic activity. Thus, the ratio of $2-OH\;E_2/4-OH\;E_2$ is a critical determinant of the toxicity of $E_2$ in mammary cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of berberine on the expression profile of the estrogen metabolizing enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Berberine treatment produced significant induction of both forms at the level of mRNA expression, but with increased doses produced 16~ to 52~fold greater induction of CYP1A1 mRNA over CYP1B1 mRNA. Furthermore, berberine dramatically increased CYP1A1 protein levels but did not influence CYP1B1 protein levels in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, we present the first report to show that berberine may provide protection against breast cancer by altering the ratio of CYP1A1/CYP1B1, could redirect $E_2$ metabolism in a more protective pathway in breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.179-202
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• 2014

This study was designed to explore the structural relationship of social support, acculturative stress and parenting stress which influenced child abuse among married immigrant women in Korea. For study 195 married immigrant women participated and structured questionnaire was used. This study identified that the variable of parenting stress directly affected child abuse and the variable of acculturation stress indirectly affected child abuse with a variable of parenting stress as a mediator variable. In addition, the variable of social support indirectly affected parenting stress with a variable of acculturation stress as a mediator variable. Also, the variable of social support did not directly affect child abuse, but it was verified as a protective factor to reduce the risk of child abuse. This study suggested the social interventions to prevent child abuse among multi-cultural families based on the study results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5965-5972
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• 2013

PIN1 is one member of the parvulin PPIase family. By controlling Pro-directed phosphorylation, PIN1 plays an important role in cell transformation and oncogenesis. There are many polymorphisms in the PIN1 gene, including rs2233678 and rs2233679 affecting the PIN1 promoter. Recently, a number of case-control studies were conducted to investigate the association between PIN1 gene rs2233678 and rs2233679 polymorphism and cancer risk. However, published data are still conflicting. In this paper, we summarized data for 5,427 cancer cases and 5,469 controls from 9 studies and attempted to assess the susceptibility of PIN1 gene polymorphism to cancers by a synthetic meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the relationship. All analyses were performed using Stata software. Our results suggested that rs2233678 represented a protective factor in overall analysis (CC vs GG: OR= 0.697, 95%CI: 0.498-0.976; CG vs GG: OR=0.701, 95%CI: 0.572-0.858; Dominant model: OR= 0.707, 95%CI: 0.590-0.847; C allele vs G allele: OR=0.734, 95%CI: 0.623-0.867) and especially for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, lung cancer and breast cancer in Asians and Caucasians. The rs2233679 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased cancer risk in overall analysis (CT vs CC: OR=0.893, 95%CI=0.812-0.981; Dominant model: OR=0.893, 95%CI=0.816-0.976; T allele vs C allele; OR=0.947, 95%CI=0.896-1.000) and especially in Asians. In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggested that -842G>C (rs2233678) and -667C>T (rs2233679) may contribute to genetic susceptibility for cancer risks. Further prospective research with larger numbers of worldwide participants is warranted to draw comprehensive and firm conclusions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.380-393
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the lift-style and eating behavior of stomach cancer patients in the Daegu and Kyungpook area, and to collect basic data for nutrition education designed to prevent stomach cancer in this community. The subjects of the study were 102 patients who were recently diagnosed as having stomach cancer at the Kyungpook National University Hospital. The control subjects were 105 persons who did not have any gastrointestinal disease, and included patients from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and healthy volunteers. The survey, which covered the personal characteristics and eating behavior of the subjects, was conducted by individual interviews using questionnaires. It was found that the stomach cancer patients (case group) had experienced a significantly higher level of stress in their daily lives than the control group. A significantly higher proportion of the case group subjects recognized their personality as pessimistic, and had family histories of cancer, compared with the control group subjects. The cancer patients had higher preferences for salty and hot tasting foods, and tended to ingest meals faster without enough chewing, compared with the control subjects. The level of nutritional knowledge of the case group was lower than the control group, and there was a positive correlation between subjects' nutritional knowledge scores and nutritional attitude scores. Subjects' estimates of their food intake frequencies during the decade before the cancer was diagnosed revealed that the case group consumed significantly higher amounts of pickled fish, soybean paste soup and stew, cooked vegetables, beef and pork, charcoal broiled meat and alcohol, while consuming significantly lower amounts of green tea than the control group. In summary, the results of the study suggest that the stress of daily life, a family history of cancer, and a pessimistic personality might be the risk factors for the development of stomach cancer. Dietary factors which were suspected as risk factors for stomach cancer in the present study included strong preferences to salty and hot lasting foods, poor eating habits, and frequent consumption of pickled fish, soybean paste soup, cooked vegetables, beef and pork, charcoal broiled meat and alcohol. A high consumption of green tea seemed to be a protective factor against stomach cancer. The results of the study appear to provide useful data for nutritional education focussed on the prevention on stomach rancor in local residents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6121-6128
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• 2012

Radiation-induced side effects on normal tissue are determined largely by the capacity of cells to repair radiation-induced DNA damage. X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) plays an important role in the repair of DNA single-strand breaks. Studies have shown conflicting results regarding the association between XRCC1 gene polymorphisms (Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp, -77T>C and Arg280His) and radiation-induced side effects in patients undergoing whole breast radiotherapy. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine the predictive value of XRCC1 gene polymorphisms in this regard. Analysis of the 11 eligible studies comprising 2,199 cases showed that carriers of the XRCC1 399 Gln allele had a higher risk of radiation-induced toxicity than those with the 399 ArgArg genotype in studies based on high-quality genotyping methods [Gln vs. ArgArg: OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20-2.86] or in studies with mixed treatment regimens of radiotherapy alone and in combination with chemotherapy [Gln vs. ArgArg: OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.09-2.23]. The XRCC1 Arg399Gln variant allele was associated with mixed acute and late adverse reactions when studies on late toxicity only were excluded [Gln allele vs. Arg allele: OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.00-1.49]. In contrast, the XRCC1 Arg280His variant allele was protective against radiation-induced toxicity in studies including patients treated by radiotherapy alone [His allele vs. Arg allele: OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35-0.96]. Our results suggest that XRCC1 399Gln and XRCC1 280Arg may be independent predictors of radiation-induced toxicity in post-surgical breast cancer patients, and the selection of genotyping method is an important factor in determining risk factors. No evidence for any predictive value of XRCC1 Arg194Trp and XRCC1 -77T>C was found. So, larger and well-designed studies might be required to further evaluate the predictive value of XRCC1 gene variation on radiation-induced side effects in patients undergoing whole breast radiotherapy.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2018

Objectives : This study investigated the effects of social support and chronic medical conditions on depressive symptoms in elderly people living alone in a rural community. Methods : Sociodemographic information on 173 subjects aged 65 years or older who lived alone in a rural community and were recipients of National Basic Livelihood Security was collected and analyzed. All participants completed the Korean Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Lubben Social Network Scale. Additionally, the current prevalence of chronic medical conditions that interfere with the activities of daily living was examined. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the associations of social support and chronic medical conditions with depressive symptoms. Results : Social support(odds ratio: OR, 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 95% CI, 0.92-0.99) and chronic medical conditions(OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.23-2.05) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in all subjects. When analyzed by gender, social support served as a protective factor against depressive symptoms in elderly men only(OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99), and chronic medical conditions increased the risk of depressive symptoms in elderly women only(OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.26-2.40). Furthermore, osteoarthritis and lumbar pain were risk factors for depressive symptoms in all subjects(OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.10-4.56 and OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.08-4.12) and in elderly women(OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.68-9.84 and OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.47-7.57), respectively. Conclusion : This study indicates that improving the social support and managing the chronic medical conditions of elderly people living alone are important for the prevention of depression in this population. Additionally, the present results suggest that it is necessary to establish different depression-prevention strategies for elderly men and women living alone.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2018

When the fire in the high-rise building was not extinguished in its early stage and propagated over its origin, safe egress becomes one of the most important factor to minimize the casualties. Recently fire protection for high-rise building has been reinforced after experiencing the series of disastrous fires. But, we still find many high-rise buildings do not comply with those reinforcement. And also there is a possibility of failure of reinforced fire protection system. Under these situation safe egress guide would be the final layer of protection. In this study existing egress methods were identified and evaluated. According the result of study, priority in egress should be given to the tenants on the floor of fire origin and floors exposed to the risk of fire. Then, the rest of the tenants can be evacuated simultaneously. Floors exposed in fire risk shall be determined by fire tests and/or fire simulations. But, the result of fire monitoring shall override preliminary estimations. Egress time for each algorithm was estimated by egress simulation and the result was compared. There was a little difference in egress time between total egress and phased egress, and a big difference between using stairs only and using elevators and stairs together. to a constant thickness between layers constituting a firefighter's protective clothing should be considered in the future.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.361-376
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• 2023

Purpose: This study evaluates the potential protective effects of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil supplementation in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: Rats were fed a 1.25% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, followed by oral administration of either of the two doses of hemp seed oil (HO) (0.5 mL/kg (HOL group) or 1 mL/kg (HOH group) body weight/day) or simvastatin at 10 mg/kg body weight/day. Oxidative stress, lipids, liver enzymes, and renal markers were measured in the serum. Western blot analysis was applied for evaluating the expressions of inflammatory makers. Results: Except for HDL-cholesterol, the altered levels of lipoproteins, aminotransferases, urea, and creatine kinases in hypercholesterolemic rats were significantly corrected by HO administration. Especially, compared to the HOH group, HOL treatment further reduced AST, ALT, creatinine, TC, and LDL-cholesterol levels. Moreover, both the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor (CRF) in the HOL group were more restrained compared to the HOH group. Increased levels of p-AMPK coincided with the inhibition of SREBP-2 activation which subsequently suppressed the expression of HMGCR. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation coincided with the PI3K/Akt pathway activation and the increased phosphorylation of p38; these levels were significantly suppressed by HO treatment. In addition, HO treatment markedly reversed the changes in chemokines such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1. Histological alterations induced by cholesterol overload in cardiac and hepatic tissues were ameliorated by HO supplementation. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate a low concentration of HO demonstrates improved dysfunctions caused by a high-cholesterol diet via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3595-3604
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• 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been one of the most fatal malignant tumors worldwide and its associated morbidity and mortality remain of significant concern. Based on in-depth reviews of serological diagnosis of HCC, in addition to AFP, there are other biomarkers: Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP (AFP-L3), descarboxyprothrombin (DCP), tyrosine kinase with Ig and eprdermal growth factor (EGF) homology domains 2 (TIE2)-espressing monocytes (TEMs), glypican-3 (GPC3), Golgi protein 73 (GP73), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) have been proposed as biomarkers for the early detection of HCC. The diagnosis of HCC is primarily based on noninvasive standard imaging methods, such as ultrasound (US), dynamic multiphasic multidetector-row CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some experts advocate gadolinium diethyl-enetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) MRI and contrast-enhanced US as the promising imaging madalities of choice. With regard to recent advancements in tissue markers, many cuting-edge technologies using genome-wide DNA microarrays, qRT-PCR, and proteomic and inmunostaining studies have been implemented in an attempt to identify markers for early diagnosis of HCC. Only less than half of HCC patients at initial diagnosis are at an early stage treatable with curative options: local ablation, surgical resection, or liver transplant. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is considered the standard of care with palliation for intermediate stage HCC. Recent innovative procedures using drug-eluting-beads and radioembolization using Yttrium-90 may exhibit beneficial effects in HCC treatment. During the past few years, several molecular targeted agents have been evaluated in clinical trials in advanced HCC. Sorafenib is currently the only approved systemic treatment for HCC. It has been approved for the therapy of asymptomatic HCC patients with well-preserved liver function who are not candidates for potentially curative treatments, such as surgical resection or liver transplantation. In the USA, Europe and particularly Japan, hepatitis C virus (HCV) related HCC accounts for most liver cancer, as compared with Asia-Pacific regions, where hepatitis B virus (HBV) may play a more important role in HCC development. HBV vaccination, while a vaccine is not yet available against HCV, has been recognized as a best primary prevention method for HBV-related HCC, although in patients already infected with HBV or HCV, secondary prevention with antiviral therapy is still a reasonable strategy. In addition to HBV and HCV, attention should be paid to other relevant HCC risk factors, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease due to obesity and diabetes, heavy alcohol consumption, and prolonged aflatoxin exposure. Interestingly, coffee and vitamin K2 have been proven to provide protective effects against HCC. Regarding tertiary prevention of HCC recurrence after surgical resection, addition of antiviral treatment has proven to be a rational strategy.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.743-756
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• 2002

Purpose: This study is a descriptive and comparative study that compares health state and school adaptation between children in divorced family and in normal family. Study results will provide a basic data for the development of an intervention program designed to help children in divorced family adjust to their crisis. Method: The study subjects consisted of 700 children in 4th. 5th or 6th elementary school grade, residing Seoul and Kyunggi regions. Among these subjects, 123 were children with divorced family and 577 were children with normal family. The health status of the subjects was measured by Health Symptom Questionnaire developed by Shin and revised by the investigators. The instrument consisted of 30 items measuring physical and emotional health symptoms. The level of school adaptation of the subjects was measured by School Adaptation Scale developed by Lee, which consisted of 4 dimensions with 20 items what measures relationship with peer students, learning activity, observance of regulation, and participation of school activity. The investigators visited the schools and collected data in the classes using the questionnaire after explaining the purpose and procedures of the study to the children. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, $\yen\"{o}2$-test, t-test, ANOVA using the SPSS PC + statistical program. Result: First, the mean health state score in children with normal family (M=11.99) was higher than that in children with divorced family (M=19.15), showing a significant difference (t=-6.51, p=.000) between the two groups, which suggests that children with normal family have better health state than children with divorced family. Second, the mean school adaptation score in children with normal family (M=38.99) was higher than that in children with divorced family (M=26.97), showing a significant difference between the two groups (t=104.07, p=.000), which suggests that the school adaptation of children with normal family is better than that of children with divorced family. Third, in comparison of health state between the two groups by general characteristics. there were significant differences between the two groups in sex. the most contributing factor to health status of the children, school year. birth order, religion, school achievement, amount of monthly pocket money, parents level of formal education, occupation of parents, economic status (p<.05). Forth, in comparison of the level of school adaptation between the two groups by general characteristics, there were significant differences between the two groups in most variables (p<.05), suggesting that children with normal family had better capacity of school adaptation than children with divorced family. Conclusion: As a result. this study showed that the parent's divorce had great influence on children's health status and school adaptation capacity. The implication for nursing is that there is a need to develop supportive interventions for the high-risk children who have decreased health states and school adaptation capacity due to the divorce of their parents. In addition, it is recommended that further studies should be conducted to explore protective factors for the prevention of health and adaptation problems in children.