• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.751-759
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• 2023

Breast ultrasonography is difficult to image in fatty breasts and to find micro-calcification, but the discovery of micro-calcification is very important for breast cancer screening. Among the color Doppler artifact of ultrasound, twinkle artifact mainly occur on strong reflectors such as stones or calcification in images, and evaluation methods using them are clinically being used. In this study, we are conducting experiments on the color Doppler settings of ultrasound equipment, such as repetition frequency, ensemble, persist, wall filtering, smoothing, linear density, and dissociation value, by producing a breast simulation phantom using the largest amount of calcium phosphate among breast implants. The purpose of this study was to improve the contrast of twinkle artifact in breast ultrasound examinations and to maximize their use in clinical practice. As a result, the pulse repetition frequency occurred in the range of 3.6 kHz to 7.2 kHz, and did not occur above 10.5 kHz. For ensembles, twinkle artifact occurred in all sizes of calcification under low conditions, and in threshold settings, the twinkle artifact increased slightly only under 80 to 100 conditions, and did not occur in 1 mm size calcification. Persist, wall filter, smoothing, and line density settings did not have much meaning in the setting variable because conditions did not increase by condition, and pulse repetition frequency, ensemble, and thresholds had the greatest impact on the twinkling artifact image. This study is expected to help examiners select optimal conditions to effectively increase twinkle artifact by adjusting color Doppler settings.

• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1314-1323
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• 1999

컴퓨터의 사용이 일반화됨에 따라 데이타를 생성하고 수집하는 것이 용이해졌다. 이에 따라 데이타로부터 자동적으로 유용한 지식을 얻는 기술이 필요하게 되었다. 데이타 마이닝에서 얻어진 지식은 정확성과 이해성을 충족해야 한다. 본 논문에서는 데이타 마이닝을 위하여 퍼지 결정트리에 기반한 효율적인 퍼지 규칙을 생성하는 알고리즘을 제안한다. 퍼지 결정트리는 ID3와 C4.5의 이해성과 퍼지이론의 추론과 표현력을 결합한 방법이다. 특히, 퍼지 규칙은 속성 축에 평행하게 판단 경계선을 결정하는 방법으로는 어려운 속성 축에 평행하지 않는 경계선을 갖는 패턴을 효율적으로 분류한다. 제안된 알고리즘은 첫째, 각 속성 데이타의 히스토그램 분석을 통해 적절한 소속함수를 생성한다. 둘째, 주어진 소속함수를 바탕으로 ID3와 C4.5와 유사한 방법으로 퍼지 결정트리를 생성한다. 또한, 유전자 알고리즘을 이용하여 소속함수를 조율한다. IRIS 데이타, Wisconsin breast cancer 데이타, credit screening 데이타 등 벤치마크 데이타들에 대한 실험 결과 제안된 방법이 C4.5 방법을 포함한 다른 방법보다 성능과 규칙의 이해성에서 보다 효율적임을 보인다.Abstract With an extended use of computers, we can easily generate and collect data. There is a need to acquire useful knowledge from data automatically. In data mining the acquired knowledge needs to be both accurate and comprehensible. In this paper, we propose an efficient fuzzy rule generation algorithm based on fuzzy decision tree for data mining. We combine the comprehensibility of rules generated based on decision tree such as ID3 and C4.5 and the expressive power of fuzzy sets. Particularly, fuzzy rules allow us to effectively classify patterns of non-axis-parallel decision boundaries, which are difficult to do using attribute-based classification methods.In our algorithm we first determine an appropriate set of membership functions for each attribute of data using histogram analysis. Given a set of membership functions then we construct a fuzzy decision tree in a similar way to that of ID3 and C4.5. We also apply genetic algorithm to tune the initial set of membership functions. We have experimented our algorithm with several benchmark data sets including the IRIS data, the Wisconsin breast cancer data, and the credit screening data. The experiment results show that our method is more efficient in performance and comprehensibility of rules compared with other methods including C4.5.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1999

To evaluate the usefulness of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1 (TGF-$\beta$1) as a new tumor marker, we determined the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels using sandwich ELISA assay in cancer patients. Patients with three most common adult cancers in Korea (stomach, liver and breast cancer) and children's cancers (leukemia and two kinds of solid tumor) were enrolled for the study. Furthermore, 39 individuals were subjected to age and sex-stratified plasma TGF-$\beta$1 analysis. No statistical difference was demonstrated with respect to age or sex. The mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 level (16.0 ng/ ml) of stomach cancer patients was significantly higher than that (8.3 ng/ml) of controls. However, there was no difference among the mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of liver, breast cancer patients and controls. Seven of 16 patients (43.7%) with stomach cancer, one of 8 (12.5%) with liver cancer, and one of 7 (14.3%) with breast cancer showed higher TGF-$\beta$1 levels compared to controls. Plasma TGF-$\beta$1 concentrations of five leukemic children remained in the normal range regardless of the remission state. In contrast, initial high TGF-$\beta$1 levels from two children with solid tumors returned to normal range on surgical resection of tumors. From the above results, we could conclude that plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of apparently healthy individuals seem to be rather constant irrespective of difference in age or sex, and the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 has the limited value as a screening test for the diagnosis of aforementioned adult cancers because of its low sensitivity. Finally, additional studies need to be pursed for the large number of stomach cancer and pediatric solid tumor patients in order to reach a secure conclusion on the usefulness of plasma TGF-$\beta$1 as a tumor marker in these patients.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.281-291
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• 2017

This study aimed to assess detection rate applying the mammographic imaging methods. The evaluation of the shape and margin of tumor was conducted by score oriented to 180 patients who had undergone FFDM, DBT and BMRI scans among breast cancer patients, and the number of calcification was classified by size. There was no significant difference between DBT and BMRI for tumors larger than 1 cm in low-density breasts and for tumors larger than 2 cm in high-density breasts. Moreover, as for the detection rate of number of fine calcification, the highest rate was observed in FFDM followed by DBT and BMRI in the order named regardless of size. In conclusion, DBT was able to be detected even without BMRI if the mass was larger than 1 cm in the low-density breast and larger than 2 cm in the high-density breast. The detection rate of calcification turned out to be the highest in FFDM followed by DBT regardless of size, and calcification was not observed by BMRI. The appropriate use of FFDM, DBT and BMRI with respect to mass tumor will contribute to serving as a guide to examination methods of reducing burden of patients.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.211-227
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• 2021

Objectives: We aimed to examine the association between the relative preference for vegetables and meat and cancer incidence, in a population-based retrospective cohort in Korea. Methods: We included 10,148,131 participants (5,794,124 men; 4,354,007 women) who underwent national health screening between 2004 and 2005 from the National Health Information Database of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS-NHID). Participants were asked whether they preferred consuming 1) vegetables more often, 2) both vegetables and meat or 3) meat more often. Participants were followed up to Dec. 31, 2017. All cancer and eighteen common cancer cases were identified through the code from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. We estimated sex-specific relative risks and 95% confidence intervals, adjusting for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, and income level. Results: During an average follow-up of 12.4 years, 714,170 cancer cases were documented. In men, consuming meat more often was associated with lower risk of esophageal, liver, and stomach cancers, but higher risk of lung and kidney cancers. Consuming both vegetables and meat was associated with higher risk of prostate cancer, but with lower risk of esophageal, liver, and stomach cancers in men. In women, consuming meat more often was associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer and breast, endometrial, and cervical cancers diagnosed before the age of 50. Consuming both vegetables and meat was associated with lower risk of liver cancer in women. Conclusions: Our study suggests a potential link between vegetable and meat intake and cancer incidence in the Korean population. Further investigation on the association between the intake of specific types of vegetables and meat and cancer risk in Korean prospective cohort studies is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.699-704
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• 2012

Natural products have been the target for cancer therapy for several years but there is still a dearth of information on potent compounds that may protect normal cells and selectively destroy cancerous cells. The present study was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of n-butanolic leaf extract of $Annona$ $muricata$ L. on WRL-68 (normal human hepatic cells), MDA-MB-435S (human breast carcinoma cells) and HaCaT (human immortalized keratinocyte cells) lines by XTT assay. Prior to cytotoxicity testing, the extract was subjected to phytochemical screening for detecting the presence of compounds with therapeutic potential. Their relative antioxidant properties were evaluated using the reducing power and $DPPH^*$radical scavenging assay. Since most of the observed chemo-preventive potential invariably correlated with the amount of total phenolics present in the extract, their levels were quantified and identified by HPLC analysis. Correlation studies indicated a strong and significant (P<0.05) positive correlation of phenolic compounds with free radical scavenging potential. The results revealed that the extract was moderately cytotoxic to normal cells with a mean IC50 value of 52.4 ${\mu}g$ when compared with those obtained for cancerous cells (IC50 values of 29.2 ${\mu}g$ for MDA-MB-435S and 30.1 ${\mu}g$ for HaCaT respectively). The study confirms the presence of therapeutically active antineoplastic compounds in the n-butanolic leaf extract of $Annona$ $muricata$. Isolation of the active metabolites from the extract is in prospect.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1149-1154
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• 2014

Background: In Malaysia, data from the Malaysian Health Ministry showed colorectal cancer (CRC) to be the second most common type of cancer in 2007-2009, after breast cancer. The same was apparent after looking at males and females cases separately. In the present study, the Geographic Information System (GIS) was employed to describe the distribution of CRC cases in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia, according to socio-demographic factors (age, gender, ethnicity and district). Materials and Methods: This retrospective review concerned data for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the years 1995 to 2011 collected from the Wilayah Persekutuan Health Office, taken from the cancer notification form (NCR-2), and patient medical records from the Surgical Department, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). A total of 146 cases were analyzed. All the data collected were analysed using ArcGIS version 10.0 and SPSS version 19.0. Results: Patients aged 60 to 69 years accounted for the highest proportion of cases (34.2%) and males slightly predominated 76 (52.1%), Chinese had the highest number of registered cases at 108 (74.0%) and staging revealed most cases in the 3rd and 4th stages. Kernel density analysis showed more cases are concentrated up in the northern area of Petaling and Kuala Lumpur subdistricts. Spatial global pattern analysis by average nearest neighbour resulted in nearest neighbour ratio of 0.75, with Z-score of -5.59, p value of <0.01 and the z-score of -5.59. Spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) showed clustering significant with p<0.01, Z score 3.14 and Moran's Index of 0.007. When mapping clusters with hotspot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi), hot and cold spots were identified. Hot spot areas fell on the northeast side of KL. Conclusions: This study demonstrated significant spatial patterns of cancer incidence in KL. Knowledge about these spatial patterns can provide useful information to policymakers in the planning of screening of CRC in the targeted population and improvement of healthcare facilities to provide better treatment for CRC patients.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.247-254
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• 2014

For the purpose of early diagnosis of the breast cancer, the attention on the screening mammography has been increasing-with supply of digital mammography day by day. Image quality is decided by target materials and filter combinations. Optimized selection by a glandular density and a thickness is needed, because these combinations change x-ray spectrum and effect to image quality. The purpose of this study is to find out optimized target and filter combinations through the evaluation of quantitative image quality and to suggest means which minimize patient dose through MCNPX. In results, spatial frequency resolution evaluation which is quantitative image quality evaluation method, MTF, NPS, DQE shows that we have to select Mo/Mo combinations or Mo/Rh combinations when compressed breast is thin. but in case of that when compressed breast is thick, we have to select Rh/Rh combinations or W /Rh combinations. In a comprehensive evaluation, W!Rh combinations which are not used in thin breasts in practice was superior to all image quality evaluation. This result is somewhat different-with clinical examination results. Secondary end point was organ dose evaluation, radiation dose of opposite breast was approximately 47 ~73% effectiveness when selecting standard breast. In conculsion, the most important point is that we have to select the optimal combinations-with considering dose evaluation and various thickness.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2006

Phthalate analogues are a plasticizer and solvent used in industry. Phthalates were classified in the category of "suspected" endocrine disruptors. The purpose of our study was to screen and elucidate the endocrine disrupting activity of seven phthalate analogues. E-screen assay was performed in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with seven phthalate analogues. In this cell proliferation assay, benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) showed high estrogenic activity. Their relative proliferation efficiencies (RPE) were 109 and 106%, respectively. In vitro estrogen receptor (ER) binding assay, BBP, di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) and dinonyl phthalate (DNP) showed weak relative binding affinity (RBA: 0.02%) compared to $17{\beta}-estradiol\;(E2)$ (RBA: 100%). In uterotrophic assay, E2 produced a significant increase, whereas four tested phthalate analogues had potential estrogenic effects in vitro did not increased in uterus weight in immature rats. From these results, we demonstrated that phthalate analogues exhibit weak estrogenic activity in vitro assays at high concentrations. Although phthalates induced an increase in MCF-7 cell proliferation by an estrogenic effect, they could not induce a uterus weight increase in vivo. From these, we may suggest that these phthalate analogues are easily metabolized to inactive forms in vivo. Further investigation in other in vitro and in vivo experimental systems might be required.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6357-6362
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• 2014

Background: Globally, the overall incidence of cancer is increasing as a result of ageing populations and changing lifestyles. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death, especially in the developed nations. Cancers affecting the young population are generally considered uncommon. This study assessed the demography and trends of cancers of the young in Brunei Darussalam, a small and developing Southeast Asia nation. Materials and Methods: All patients diagnosed with cancers between 2000 and 2012 were identified from the cancer registry maintained by the State Histopathology Laboratory. Cancers of the young was defined as any cancers diagnosed under the age of 40 years. Demographic data and the type of cancers were collected and analysed using SPSS Statistics 17.0. Results: Among the 6,460 patients diagnosed with cancer over the study period, 18.7% (n=1,205) were categorized as young with an overall decline in the proportion from 26.6% in 2000 to 18.8% in 2012 (p<0.001 for trend). Among all cancers of the young, the most common systems affected were gynecological (24.1%), hematological/lymphatic (15.8%), subcutaneous/dermatological/ musculoskeletal (10.5%), breast (10.5%) and gastrointestinal (9.9%). Overall, among the different systems, neurological (54.9%) had the highest proportion of cancers of the young followed by gynecological/reproductive (30.6%), hematological/lymphatic (39.9%), endocrine (38.7%), subcutaneous/dermatological/ musculoskeletal (22.3%) and the head and neck region (20.1%). There was a female predominance (66.9%) and the incidence was significantly higher among the Malays (20.1%) and expatriates (25.1%) groups compared to the Chinese (10.7%) and indigenous (16.8%) groups (p<0.001 for trend). Conclusions: Cancers of the young (<40 years) accounted for almost a fifth of all cancers in Brunei Darussalam with certain organ systems more strongly affected. There was a female preponderance in all racial groups. Over the years, there has been a decline in the overall proportion of cancers of the young. Selective screening programs should nevertheless be considered.