• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3769-3776
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. High breast cancer mortality has been attributed to lack of public awareness of the disease. Little is known about the level of knowledge of breast cancer in Central African Republic. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of health professionals on breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 158 health professionals (27 medical; 131 paramedical) in 17 hospitals in Bangui using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis, Person's ${\chi}^2$ test and ANOVA were applied to examine associations between variables with p < 0.05 being considered significant. Results: Data analyzed using SPSS version 20 indicates that average knowledge about breast cancer perception of the entire population was 47.6%, diagnosis method 45.5%, treatment 34.3% and risk factors 23.8%. Most respondents (65.8%) agreed that breast cancer is important in Central African Republic and that family history is a risk factor (44.3%). Clinical assessments and mammography were considered most suitable diagnostic methods, and surgery as the best treatment. The knowledge level was significantly higher among medical than paramedical staff with regard to risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. However the trainee group had very high significant differences of knowledge compared with all other groups. Conclusions: There is a very urgent need to update the various training programs for these professionals, with recommendations of retraining. Health authorities must create suitable structures for the overall management of cancer observed as a serious public health problem.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.235-241
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the serum tumor markers CEA, CA 19-9, and CA 72-4 in monitoring the recurrence of gastric cancer and in its preoperative assessment. Materials and Methods: Two hundred fifty-five patients who underwent potentially curative surgery during period from January 1995 to December 2000 at the Department of Surgery were assessed. Serum samples were obtained preoperatively, 2 weeks after the surgery, and at 6-month intervals. The cut-off levels were established as 5 ng/ml for CEA, 36 U/ml for CA 19-9, and 4 U/ml for CA 72-4. The tumor stage was described according to the 5th edition of the Union Internationale Contra la Cancer (UICC) TNM classification in 1997. Results: The preoperative positivities were $10.5\%$ for CEA, $9.7\%$ for CA 19-9, and $12.4\%$ for CA 72-4. The serum levels of the three tumor markers decreased after curative surgery. The preoperative serum levels of the three tumor markers were significantly related to the depth of invasion, the tumor size, lymph-node metastasis, the pathologic stage, and recurrence, except that CEA was not associated with tumor size. The marker sensitivities in recurrent cases were $43.3\%$ for CEA, $\%41.8$ for CA 19-9, and $50.0\%$ for CA 72-4, and the marker specificities were $85.1\%$ for CEA, $96.8\%$ for CA 19-9, and $87.8\%$ for CA 72-4. Conclusion: The preoperative serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, and CA 72-4 are not useful for the initial diagnosis of gastric cancer because of their low positivity. However, we should consider their relationship with depth of invasion, lymph-node metastasis, tumor size, pathologic stage, and recurrence. Also, the follow-up levels of the three markers have a statistical relationship with recurrence of gastric cancer even though their sensitivities are low.

• Strategy21
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• s.38
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• pp.112-162
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• 2015

This study began to confirm or review the balance of power theory by applying scientific methods through experiential cases. Though there are several kinds of national power, this study supposes military power as a crucial power when it comes to war and peace. This research covered balance and imbalance through comparing relative military power between nations or nations' group. Comparison of relative military power can be achieved by statistically processing the values of which has been converted into the standard variables in same domain, then calculating the values of nation's power which has been synthesized different experiential factors. In addition, the criteria of experiential experiment is highly dedicated to European countries, USA, Japan prior to 1st and 2nd World War, as well as USA, Soviet Union and North East Asia during Cold War era. In addition, the balance of power theory has been redefined to review the action of the state upon the changes of power as mentioned in the theory. To begin with, the redefined theory states that relative level of military power between nations defines the consistency of peace and balance of power. If military power is enough to be on the range of level required to keep the power in equilibrium, peace and balance can be achieved. The opposite would unbalance the military power, causing conflicts. While the relative military level between nations change, nations seek to establish 'nations group' via military cooperation such as alliance, which also shift relative military power between nations group as well. Thus, in order to achieve balance of power, a nation seeks to strengthen its military power(self-help), while pursuing military cooperation(or alliance). This changes relative military power between nations group also. In other words, if there exists balance of power between nations, there is balance of power between nations group as well. In this theory, WWI and II broke out due to the imbalance of military force between nations and nations group, and reviewed that due to the balance of military force during the Cold War, peace was maintained. WWI was resulted from imbalance of military cooperation between two powerful states group and WWII was occurred because of the imbalance among the states. Peace was maintained from cooperation of military power and balance among the states during the Cold War. Imbalance among continental states is more threatening than maritime states and balance of power made by army force and naval force also is feasible. Also the outcomes of two variables are found military power balanced ratio of military power for balance is 67% when variable ratio of balance is 100% and standard value for balance is 0.86. Military power exists in a form of range. The range is what unstabilized the international system causing nations to supplement their military powers. These results made possible the calculation and comparison between state's military power. How balance of power inflicted war and peace has been studied through scientific reviews. Military conflict is highly possible upon already unbalanced military powers of North East Asian countries, if the US draws its power back to America. China and Japan are constantly building up their military force. On the other hand, Korean military force is inferior so in accordance to change of international situation state's survival could be threatened and it is difficult to achieve drastic increase in military force like Germany did. Especially constructing naval force demands lots of time; however but has benefit that naval force can overcome imbalance between continental states and maritime states.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.351-358
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• 2016

This study investigated the effect of different relative humidity (RH) regimes on graft healing of grafted seedlings of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.). Two watermelon cultivars ('Speed' and 'Sambok Honey') were grafted onto the 'RS-Dongjanggun' bottle gourd rootstock (Lagenaria siceraria Stanld.) and the grafted seedlings were maintained under one of three relative humidity regimes, 95-96% [1.1-0.8 (day) or $0.8-0.6(night)\;g{\cdot}m^{-3}$ vapor pressure deficit (VPD)], 97-98% [ 0.7-0.4 (day) or $0.5-0.3(night)\;g{\cdot}m^{-3}$ (VPD)], or 99-100% [0.3-0.0 (day) or $0.2-0.0(night)\;g{\cdot}m^{-3}$ (VPD)] according to the Mollier diagram based on the air temperature of $25^{\circ}C\;day/18^{\circ}C\;night$ with 16 h photoperiod per day. Among the RH treatments, 97-98% significantly increased plant height and fresh weight of the rootstock and scion of the 'Speed' and it also enhanced the graft union connection of both cultivars after two days of grafting. However, plant height and thickness of the scion of 'Sambok Honey' was increased by the 99-100% RH treatment. Furthermore, both cultivars grown in the 95-96 and 97-98% RH treatments consisted of lower levels of endogenous $H_2O_2$ and less activities of antioxidant enzymes which illustrated the occurrence of less oxidative stress. Hence, the results of this study identified the optimal RH level for the graft healing of watermelon seedlings.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.171-182
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• 2018

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the crops widely planted in tropical and subtropical areas. The papaya fruit has low calories and are plentiful in vitamins A and C and in minerals. A major problem in papaya production is a plant disease caused by the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). The first PRSV-resistant GM papaya expressing a PRSV coat protein gene was developed by USA scientists in 1992. The first commercial GM papaya cultivars derived from the event was approved by the US government in 1997. Development of transgenic papayas has been focused on vaccine production and limited agricultural traits, including insect and pathogen resistance, long shelf life, and aluminum and herbicide tolerance. Approximately 17 countries, including the USA and China, produced transgenic papayas and/or commercialized them, which provoked studies on biosafety assessment and development of GM-detection technologies. For the biosafety assessment of potential effects on human health, effects of long-term feeding to model animals have been studied in terms of toxicity and allergenicity. Studies on environmental safety assessment include influence on soil-microbial biodiversity and transfer to soil bacteria of GM selection markers. Many countries, such as Korea, the European Union, and Japan, that have strict regulations for GM crops have serious concerns about unintended introduction of GM cultivars and food commodities using unauthorized GM crops. Transgene- and/or GM event-specific molecular markers and technologies for genomics-based detection of unauthorized GM papaya have been developed and have resulted in the robust detection of GM papayas.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2018

This study was performed to identify the antioxidant and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities of water and 70% ethanol extracts of the three following herbs: G. procumbens, M. charantia, and C. longa. In addition, the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of five types of Jerusalem artichoke composites (JA1 - 5), which were prepared by adding ethanol extracts of several herbs to Jerusalem artichoke concentrate, were studied and compared. The results showed that the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the ethanol extracts were higher than those of the water extracts. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power depended on the total phenol and flavonoid contents. The antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts from G. procumbens and C. longa were comparable. Moreover, the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the ethanol extracts ($2,000{\mu}g/ml$) from each herb was found to be over 50%. In contrast, the five types of JA composites showed higher total phenol and flavonoid contents than those of JA concentrate. In addition, increased antioxidant and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities were observed, with that of JA1 being the highest. However, all concentrations ($1{\sim}100{\mu}g/ml$) of JA tested did not affect the cell viability of Chang cells. In addition, JA induced the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in Chang cells and significantly increased the glucose uptake in C2C12 cells. Therefore, it could be concluded that the JA composites (JA1 - 5) mixed with G. procumbens, M. charantia, and C. longa extracts were effective in increasing the extracts' antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6273-6276
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• 2012

Background/Aim: Six prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility loci were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in populations of European decent. However, the associations of these 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with PCa has remained tobe clarified in men in Northern China. This study aimed to explore the loci associated with PCa risk in a Northern Chinese population. Methods: Blood samples and clinical information of 289 PCa patients and 288 controls from Beijing and Tianjin were collected. All risk SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-high resolution melting curve technology and gene sequencing. Associations between PCa and clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen [PSA], Gleason score, tumor stage, and level of aggressiveness) and frequencies of alleles and genotypes of these SNPs were analyzed using genetic statistics. Results: Among the candidate SNPs, 11p15 (rs7127900, A) was associated with PCa risk (P = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.46). Genotypes showed differences between cases and controls on 11p15 (rs7127900, A), 11q13 (rs7931342, T), and HNF1B (rs4430796, A) (P = 0.03, P = 0.01, and P = 0.04, respectively). The genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) was positively associated with an increased Gleason score (P = 0.04, OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.02-4.55). Patients carrying TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) were negatively associated with an increased body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21-0.92) while those with AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) were more likely to have PSA increase (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Our study suggests that 11p15 (rs7127900, A) could be a susceptibility locus associated with PCa in Northern Chinese. Genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) could be related to an increased Gleason score, AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) could be associated with PSA increase, and TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) could be negatively associated with an increased BMI in Chinese men with PCa.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.165-184
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• 2007

This study reviews the concept and protection system for the geographical Indication(GI) to support the Korea-EU FTA. A geographical indication(GI) is a name or sign used on certain products or which corresponds to a specific geographical indication or origin (eg. a town, region, or country). The use of a GI may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin. In the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual property Rights("TRIPS"). There are, in effect, two basic obligations from Article 22 to article 23 on WTO member governments relating to GIs in the TRIPS agreement. Geographical Indications have long been associated with Europe as an entity, where there is a tradition of associating certain food products with particular regions, Under European Union Law, the protected designation of origin system which came into effect in 1992 and 2003 regulates the following geographical indications: Protected designation of origin(PDO) and protected geographical indication(PGI) and Traditional Specialty Guaranteed(TSG). They have 5,000 articles for GI. We have the GI system and 40 articles rotating to registration by the law for quality management of production in agriculture. Cinclusinally, geographical indications could potentially serve as tools to helf holders of trade benefit more equitable through the mutual Acceptance for Korea-EU FTA.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.89-123
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• 1996

The world has moved from the Cold War between the east and the west and moved toward the age without idealogy. It places emphasis on economic benefit and welfare of its own nation as its main point With this world trend, in order to sam the competitiveness and the reconciliation of the divided nation the north and the south Korea should be united. Once the north and the south are united, information society will be altered with the huge flow of the civilization. At the same time, the issue of how to operate library policies and system, in which effective acquisition, manipulation, accumulation, and dissemination of information un would be very important. From this point of view, the following conclusions are obtained in this study. Firstly, when building a national library preparing for the national unification. it is essential to introduce 1) the concept of policy and system for information society and 2) that of policy and system which has national-culture as its focus. Secondly, it is essential to prepare the cooperative-structure between libraries prior to the national unification. This kind of cooperation should gradually expand to an extent that allows actual benefits such as building union catalog, inter-library loan system, resource sharing, standardized cataloging rules, and exchange of dissertation... etc. Thirdly, developing the library policies and systems for the national unification must be based on the concept of the mutual cooperation as inter-dependent model rather than on the concept of the incorporation-absorption as a dominant model. The next point the principles of the followings in preparing the library policies should be considered: 1) free-competition, 2) revolution of consciousness through the social education, 3) independence and love for humanity, 4) scientific or reasonable thinking, 5) job responsibility, 6) democratic citizenship, 7) mind far collective life, 8) spirit of public interest 9) globalization In addition, the model of the library systems preparing for thenational unification should include the followings : 1) uniformity of library system and its authority, 2) establishment of research institutes for library policy and system, 3) exchange of library establishment and information resources, 4) building library networks, 5) establishment of education systems for the library and information science and enhancement of its quality, 6) modernizing and developing information technology and its transfer. Finally, the libraries in the north and the south has different concepts, goals, information resources, and the different ways of using them. Considering the practical aspects of the libraries and the reasons for their existence, they must structure the mutual cooperative system so as to minimize the shock when confronting the social changes, so-called the national unification.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.129-137
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• 2008

Alien apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea insularus) used in environmentally-friendly agriculture are different from indigenous snails found in Korea. Due to high herbicidal effects and cost-effectiveness, the number of farmers using the snails has been growing every year since 2000. Moreover, in 2008, because of the outbreaks of avian influenza throughout the country from March to May, 2008, central and local governments recommended the use of alien apple snails in agriculture as an alternative to the ducks-oriented environmentally-friendly agriculture. Therefore, it is expected that the use of alien apple snails in agriculture should be expanded in a near future. Since alien apple snails lay eggs with 95.8% of eclosion rate, they are considered to be potential pests unlike indigenous snails. In addition, Japan, Taiwan and most of the southeast Asian countries had already experienced severe ecological and agricultural damage by the alien apple snails. Subsequently, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) designated P. canaliculata as one of "the 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species". It seems highly likely that the alien apple snails in Korea pose a potential threat to conservation of ecosystem and biodiversity since the snails were either found or invaded into the natural environments in some regions of Gangwon-Do and southern parts of Korean Peninsula. However, just recently, agricultural authorities and farmers using alien apple snails in agriculture opposed a proposition of designating the alien apple snails as an ecosystem-disturbing animal described by the Wildlife Protection Act. This is because there has been no concrete evidence of the ecological risk imposed by the alien snails up to now in Korea. Subsequently, in this paper, we analysed the ecological and agricultural risks imposed by the alien snails from the studies done in domestic and abroad. In addition, we proposed an urgent need and reasoning for ecological risk management of the alien snails at the national level as well as using the snails in agriculture.