• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.101-105
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• 2014

Background and Purpose: Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) has been suggested to be a novel biomarker of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The present study aimed to evaluate and compare HE4 with the commonly used marker, carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), in prediction and therapy-monitoring of EOC. Patients and Methods: Serum HE4 concentrations from 123 ovarian cancer patients and 174 controls were measured by Roche electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA). Risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) values were calculated and assessed. In addition, the prospects of HE4 detection for therapy-monitoring were evaluated in EOC patients. Results: The ROMA score could classify patients into high- and low-risk groups with malignancy. Indeed, lower serum HE4 was significantly associated with successful surgical therapy. Specifically, 38 patients with EOC exhibited a greater decline of HE4 compared with CA125. In contrast, elevation of HE4 better predicted recurrence (of 46, 11 patients developed recurrence, and with it increased HE4 serum concentrations) and a poor prognosis than CA125. Conclusions: This study suggests that serum HE4 levels are closely associated with outcome of surgical therapy and disease prognosis in Chinese EOC patients.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.509-513
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• 2002

In this study, instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to assess the concentration level of inorganic trace elements in Korean women blood serum. It was found out that high concentration of Na and Cl incurs analytical interference, but 12 elements of Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Rb, Se, Zn can be determined under the condition of interference minimization. Serum samples collected from 63 women were analyzed and the concentration level and range of the elements were evaluated. NIST SRMs were analyzed simultaneously for analytical quality control. The average values of Na and Cl determined in serum samples are around 3000 mg/L, Ca is 100 mg/L and K is 200 mg/L. Besides, Br, Se and Zn have concentration level of 6.0, 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L, respectively. It was found that there is no significant difference between the present values and reported values.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify food sources for major minerals such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na) and potassium (K), and to evaluate the relationship between dietary intake of these minerals and serum lipids in healthy Korean adults. A total of 132 healthy men and women completed a physical examination and dietary record and provided blood samples for lipid profile analysis. Results showed the following daily average mineral intakes: 373.4 mg of calcium, 806.0 mg of phosphorous, 3685.8 mg of sodium, and 1938.3 mg of potassium. The calcium-to-phosphorus and sodium-to-potassium ratio was about 0.5 and 2.0, respectively. The primary sources for each mineral were: vegetables (24.9%) and fishes (19.0%) for calcium, grains (31.4%) for phosphorus, seasonings (41.6%) and vegetables (27.0%) for sodium, and vegetables (30.6%) and grains (18.5%) for potassium. The correlation analysis, which has been adjusted for age, gender, total food consumption, and energy intake, showed significantly positive correlations between Ca/P and serum HDL cholesterol levels, between Na intake and the level of serum total cholesterol, and between Na/K and the level of serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Our data indicates that the level of mineral consumption partially contributes to serum lipid profiles and that a diet consisting of a low Ca/P ratio and a high Na/K ratio may have negative impacts on lipid metabolism.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8447-8450
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• 2014

Background: To evaluate factors for predicting the granulosa cell tumor of the ovary (GCTO) pre-operatively. Materials and Methods: This retrospective designed study was conducted on 34 women with GCTO as the study group and 76 women with benign ovarian cysts as the control group. Data were recorded from the hospital database and included age, body mass index (BMI), parity, serum estradiol ($E_2$) levels, diameter of the mass, ultrasonographic features, serum CA125 level, risk of malignancy index (RMI), duration of menopause, postoperative histopathology result, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Results: The demographic parameters showed no statistically significant difference between the groups. Preoperative diameter of the mass, CA125, duration of menopause, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were significantly different between the groups. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that diameter of the mass, serum estradiol and Ca125 levels, RMI and NLR may be discriminative factors in predicting GCTO preoperatively. Conclusions: In conclusion, we think that a careful preoperative workshop including diameter of the mass, serum estradiol ($E_2$) and Ca125 levels, RMI and NLR may predict GCTO and may prevent incomplete approaches.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.999-1005
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• 1998

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of late-harvested green tea extract on serum and tissue lipid contents and Ca absorption. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 200g were fed high fit diets containing no tea(control), 0.5%(0.5LG), 1.0% late-harvested green tea extract(1.0LG), and 1.0% early-harvested green tea extract(1.0EG) for 4 weeks. Though daily food intake of experimental groups showed no significant difference from that of control group, daily body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were lower in all groups fed green tea extract. The contents of serum triglyceride of 1.0LG and 1.0EG groups and the content of serum total cholesterol of 1.0LG group were significantly lower than those of control group. The values of serum HDL-cholesterol in groups fed green tea extract were higher than that in the control group. LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic indices of all groups fed green tea extract were significantly lower than those of the control group. The contents of total lipid and triglyceride in liver were significantly lower in only 1.0LG group. For epididymal fit pad, the contents of total lipid and triglyceride in 1.0LG and 1.0EG groups were lower than those in the control group. The contents of total lipid excreted in feces were higher in groups fed diets of 1.0% green tea extract. There was no significant difference among experimental groups in Ca absorption. These results suggest that the administration of late-harvested green tea extract decreases the contents of fat in the body without reducing Ca absorption. (Korean J Nutrition 31(6) : 999-1005, 1998)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.474-480
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• 2011

Calcium (Ca) is an essential element to maintain body homeostasis. However, many factors disturb calcium absorption. Aspartic acid chelated calcium (AAC) was synthesized by new methods using calcium carbonate and aspartic acid. This study was carried out to investigate the bioavailability of AAC in Ca-deficient rats. The experimental groups were as follows: NC; normal diet control group, CD-C; untreated control group of Ca-deficient (CD) rats, CD-$CaCO_3$; $CaCO_3$ treated group of CD rats, CD-AAC; AAC treated group of CD rats, and CD-SWC; and seaweed-derived Ca treated group of CD rats. The Ca content of various types of Ca was held constant at 32 mg/day, and the four CD groups were fed for 7 days after randomized grouping. Ca content in serum, urine, and feces within feeding periods were analyzed to confirm Ca absorption. Serum Ca content was significantly higher in the CD-AAC (11.24 mg/dL) and CD-SWC (10.12 mg/dL) groups than that in the CD-C (8.6 mg/dL) group 2 hours following the first administration. The Ca content in feces was significantly lower in the CD-AAC (35.4 mg/3 days) and CD-SWC (71.1 mg/3 day) groups than that in the CD-$CaCO_3$ (98.7 mg/3 days) group (p > 0.05). AAC had a 2.3-fold higher absorption rate of Ca than that of SWC. No differences in fibula length were observed in the NC and CD groups. The fibula weights of the CD-AAC (0.33 g) and CD-SWC (0.33 g) groups increased compared to those in the CD-C (0.27 g) group; however, no significant difference was observed between the CD groups. We conclude that bioavailability of AAC is higher than that of seaweed-derived Ca or inorganic Ca. Thus, these findings suggest the AAC has potential as a functional food material related to Ca metabolism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 1997

Dietary peptides have recently received attention regarding their beneficial effects on nutrient metabolism since the caseinphosphoptides obtained from casein hydrolysate are generally believed to enhance the intestinal absorption of Ca. The two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of various hydrolyzed fractions of gluten on Ca bioavailability. The gluten hydrolysate of dietary components was produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of gluten whereas gluten hydrolysate supernationt and its precipiate resulted from centrifugation. In experiment I, the rats were for 4 weeks fed the 4 kinds of diets containing same amount of nitrogen and calories and diffeing only in the forms of nitrogen sources. The diets were gluten (G), gluten hydrolysat(GH), gluten hydrolysate supernatant(GHS) and gluten hydrolysate precipitatie(GHP). Determination was made for the body weight gain, serum Ca concentration, Ca solubility in small intestinal contents, bone weight, length and stength, bone ash and Ca content, and Ca balance, respectively. No significant difference was noticed as regards growth, serum Ca, and bone dimension and Ca content among rat groups. More significant increase was observed with regard to Ca absorption and intestinal solubility in the rats receiving the GH or GHS diet which containe crude gluten peptides, than in those subjected to G or GHP diet. In experiment II, in vitro determination for Ca solubility was made to ascertain the mechanism responsible for the effects of gluten peptides on Ca absorption. The 10mM Ca in potassium phosphate buffer solution(pH 7.0) incubated for 3 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ by the GHS fraction, was observed to be capable of increasing the Ca solubility at 5-25mg/ml concentration of gluten peptides. These observations suggest that the gluten peptides from gluten hydrolysate may enhance the Ca absorption efficiency by increasing the solubility of Ca in small intestine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4671-4675
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• 2016

Background and aim: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with an overall 5-year survival of <5% mainly due to presence of advanced disease at time of diagnosis. Therefore development of valid biomarkers to diagnose pancreatic cancer in early stages is an urgent need. This study concerned the sensitivity and specificity of serum ICAM 1 versus CA 19-9 in differentiation between pancreatic cancer and healthy subjects and acohort of patients with chronic pancreatitis with a focus on assessing validity in diagnosis of early stages of pancreatic cancer. Methods: A cohort of 50 patients with histologically diagnosed pancreatic tumors, 27 patients with chronic pancreatitis, and 35 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum samples for measurement of CA19-9 and I-CAM 1 were obtained from all groups and analyzed for significance regarding diagnosis and disease stage. Results: At a cut off value of (878.5 u/ml) I-CAM 1 had 82% and 82.26% sensitivity and specificity for differentiation between cancer and non-cancer cases, with higher sensitivity and specificity than CA19-9 at different cut offs (CA19-9 sensitivity and specificity ranged from 64-80% and 56.4 - 61.2% respectively). The AUC was 0.851 for I-CAM and 0.754 for CA19-9. Neither of the markers demonstrated significance for distinguishing between early and late cancer stages. Conclusion: ICAM 1 is a useful marker in differentiation between malignant and benign pancreatic conditions, and superior to CA19-9 in this regard. However, neither of the markers can be recommended for use in differentiation between early and late stage pancreatic cancers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 1991

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary calcium. serum estrogen level and physical activity on the bone status of 116 healthy elderly women living in urban area. Current calcium intake was assessed by convenient method(refered to as Ca intake) and calcium containing food frequency method(refered to as Ca index) Daily activity record was used for the estimation of physical activity level, and serum estrogen level was measured from fasting blood of subjects. The rate of bone resorption was evaluated by the determination of hydroxyproline(Hpr) in fasting urine with correction for creatinine excretion. The results of this study are summarized as follows : 1) Average daily Ca intake of subjects was 621.4$\pm$155.8mg, which is above the Korean recommended dietary allowances. However 44.8% of the subjects consumed Ca below RDA level. Ca index score was significantly correlated with the bone status(P<0.05), Ca intake did not show significant correlation with the bone status although a positive trend of influence was evident. 2) Average serum estrogen level of subjects was 18.7$\pm$9.8pg Contrary to our anticipation. estrogen level did not show any significant relation to age and bone status. 3) Daily physical activity was classified into four categories by activity intensity : sedentary. moderate, active and severe. The average physical activity of subjects belong to moderate level. and the bone status was significantly related to the physical activity(P<0.01) 4) Among other influential factors such as age, pocket-money. family type. drinking, smoking and BMI, there was a significant difference between bone status and BMI(P<0.05). 5) Multiple regression analysis of variables showed that physical activity has greater effect than other variables when the entire subjects were taken into account. However. eliminating the subjects whose bone status rated as excellent(Hpr/cr<0.009), Ca index showed higher correlation than physical activity. These results have demonstrated that dietary calcium intake is the primary important factor for keeping good bone health and that bone status of subjects with a sufficient calcium intake is affected by various factors such as physical activity, age, smoking. BMI and others.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 1992

To obtain the basic data for blood chemistry, the effects of the time elapse of serum separation on bovine blood chemical values were investigated. The results obtained are summerized as follows : 1. The constant fluctuation tendency and significance was not detected in GOT, GPT, BUN, Creatinine, ALP, CPX, Cholesterol, Ca, Mg and Pi. 2. Glucose showed the decrease tendency according to the time elapse of serum separation. As the values at 12 and 24 hours showed significant lower values than those at 1 and 2 hours (p＜0.01) it was thougth that separation time of serum should be focussed for the glucose determination.