• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.554-561
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• 2017

Objective: This experiment was conducted as a $3{\times}2{\times}2$ factorial design to examine the effects of particle size (mean particle size of 331, 640, or $862{\mu}m$), evaluation method (direct vs indirect method) and adaptation duration (7 or 26 days) on the energy content and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of various chemical components in wheat when fed to finishing pigs. Methods: Forty-two barrows ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$) with an initial body weight of $63.0{\pm}0.8kg$ were individually placed in metabolic cages and randomly allotted to 1 of 7 diets with 6 pigs fed each diet. For the indirect method, the pigs were fed either a corn-soybean meal based basal diet or diets in which 38.94% of the basal diet was substituted by wheat of the different particle sizes. In the direct method, the diets contained 97.34% wheat with the different particle sizes. For both the direct and indirect methods, the pigs were adapted to their diets for either 7 or 26 days. Results: A reduction in particle size linearly increased the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents as well as the ATTD of gross energy, crude protein, organic matter, ether extract (EE) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (p<0.05), and had a trend to increase the ATTD of dry matter of wheat (p = 0.084). The DE, ME contents, and ATTD of gross energy, crude protein, dry matter and organic matter were higher (p<0.05) when determined by the direct method, but the ATTD of ADF, EE, and neutral detergent fiber were higher when determined by the indirect method (p<0.05). Prolongation of the adaption duration decreased the ATTD of neutral detergent fiber (p<0.05) and had a trend to increase the ATTD of EE (p = 0.061). There were no interactions between particle size and the duration of the adaptation duration. The ATTD of EE in wheat was influenced by a trend of interaction between method and adaptation duration (p = 0.074). The ATTD of ADF and EE in wheat was influenced by an interaction between evaluation method and wheat particle size such that there were linear equations (p<0.01) about ATTD of ADF and EE when determined by the direct method but quadratic equations (p = 0.073 and p = 0.088, respectively) about ATTD of ADF and EE when determined by the indirect method. Conclusion: Decreasing particle size can improve the DE and ME contents of wheat; both of the direct and indirect methods of evaluation are suitable for evaluating the DE and ME contents of wheat with different particle sizes; and an adaptation duration of 7 d is sufficient to evaluate DE and ME contents of wheat in finishing pigs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9909-9913
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• 2014

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains an important cause of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease worldwide. Treatment of H. pylori infection is one of the effective ways to prevent gastric cancer. However, standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication is no longer effective in many countries, including Thailand. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of adding bismuth and probiotic to standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. Materials and Methods: In this prospective single center study, H. pylori infected gastritis patients were randomized to receive 7- or 14-day standard triple therapy plus bismuth with probiotic or placebo. Treatment regimen consisted of 30 mg lansoprazole twice daily, 1 g amoxicillin twice daily, 1 g clarithromycin MR once daily and 1,048mg bismuth subsalicylate twice daily. Probiotic bacteria composed of Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus paracasei. Placebo was conventional drinking yogurt without probiotic. CYP2C19 genotyping and antibiotic susceptibility tests were also done. H pylori eradication was defined as a negative $^{13}C$-urea breath test at least 2 weeks after completion of treatment. Results: One hundred subjects were enrolled (25 each to 7- and 14-day regimens with probiotic or placebo). Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed 36.7% metronidazole and 1.1% clarithromycin resistance. CYP2C19 genotyping revealed 40.8%, 49% and 10.2% were rapid, intermediate and poor metabolizers, respectively. The eradication rates of 7- or 14 regimens with probiotics were 100%. Regarding adverse events, the incidence of bitter taste was significantly lower in the 7- day regimen with the probiotic group compared with 7- day regimen with placebo (40% vs. 64%; p=0.04). Conclusions: The 7-day standard triple therapy plus bismuth and probiotic can provide an excellent cure rate of H. pylori (100%) in areas with low clarithromycin resistance such as Thailand, regardless of CYP2C19 genotype. Adding a probiotic also reduced treatment-related adverse events.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.759-765
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer of women in Pakistan with the majority presenting with stage III or IV lesionsat initial diagnosis. Patient and health system related factors are well known determinants of delay in presentation and diagnosis. Additionally, breast cancer being a heterogeneous disease, the various molecular subtypes featuring different aggressiveness also need to be considered. The present study evaluated the association of stage at initial diagnosis of breast cancer with these two factors in local women at a tertiary level health care facility in Lahore, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: Patient and tumor features were recorded separately during diagnostic workup in Breast Clinics at INMOL and at Services Hospital, Lahore. Data were entered in MS Excel and analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. Results: Among the 261 patients, 64% were staged as late breast cancer (LBC), the mean age was 46.8 with standard deviation of 13 years. Some 92% had invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), 61% had luminal types (LT) of non-aggressive tumor while 39% had the non-luminal types (NLT) of of HER2-enriched or basal aggressive tumors. While 70% of patients presented within one year of symptomatic disease (early report group "ERG"), 30% reported after a mean delay of 4 years with a standard deviation of 3.75 years. The stage distribution among ERG patients was not statistically different from those reporting late (P=0.123). Statistically larger proportion of patients with NLT presented as LBC as compared to the LT (P =0.034). Among the ERG, statistically different stage distribution of disease was observed for the NLT versus LT (P=0.047). Among those presenting late, this difference was insignificant (P=0.416). Conclusions: Breast cancer is a distinct disease in Pakistan with a high frequency of aggressive molecular types affecting younger women, with the majority presenting as LBC. Association of NLT with higher stage at diagnosis is statistically significant whereas time delay in diagnosis is not. Further research is required to define the risk profile and features in local patients. The burden of LBC can be reduced by promoting breast health awareness and by establishing easily accessible dedicated breast care set ups in the hospitals.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.159-166
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• 2009

This study has been attempted to generate electricity, while simultaneously treating artificial organic wastewater using both batch and continuous microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In the batch MFC, current-voltage curve showed an onset potential of -0.69 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The potential range between this potential and 0 potential displayed an available voltage for an automatic production of electric energy and glucose, which was oxidized and treated at the same time. The 486 mg/L glucose solution showed the maximum power of $30mW/m^2$ and the maximum current density of $75mA/m^2$ shown in the power curve. As a result, discharging of the cell containing COD 423 mg/L at the constant current density of $60mA/m^2$ showed a continuous electricity generation for about 22 hours that dropped rapidly due to dissipating of organic material. Total electric energy production was 18.0 Wh. While discharging, the pH change was low and dropped from pH 6.53 to 6.20 then increased to 6.47, then stabilized at this charge. The COD treatment efficiency was found to be 72%. In the continuous MFC, COD removal tends to increase as the hydraulic retention time is increased. At one day of hydraulic retention time as the maximum value reaches the COD removal efficiency, power production rate and power production rate per COD removal that were obtained were 68.8%, $14mW/m^2$, and $20.8mW/m^2/g$ CODrm, respectively. In the continuous MFC, the power production rate per COD removal increases as the hydraulic retention time is increased and decreases as the organic loading rate is increased. At the values lower than an organic loading rate of $1kgCOD/m^3/d$, the values higher than about $18.1mW/m^2/g$ CODrm could be obtained.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2016

Evidence shows that tobacco advertising and promotion activities may increase tobacco consumption and usage, especially in youth. Despite the regulation on prohibiting advertisement of any tobacco product, tobacco advertisement and promotion activities are still common in Vietnam. This article presents current exposure to tobacco advertising and promotion (TAP) among school children aged 13 to 15 years in Vietnam in 2014 and potential influencing factors. Data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2014 in Vietnam covering 3,430 school aged children were used. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were carried out with Stata 13 statistical software. Binary logistic regression was applied to explain the exposure to TAP among youth and examine relationships with individual factors. A significance level of p<0.05 and sampling weights were used in all of the computations. In the past 30 days, 48.6% of the students experienced exposure to at least 1 type of tobacco advertising or promotion. Wearing or otherwise using products related to tobacco was the most exposure TAP type reported by students (22.3%). The internet (22.1), points of sales (19.2) and social events (11.5) were three places that students aged 13-15 frequently were exposed to TAP. Binary logistic results showed that gender (female vs male) (OR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.52 - 0.71), susceptibility to smoking (OR = 2.12, 95%CI: 1.53 - 2.92), closest friends' smoked (OR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.2 - 1.7) and parents smoking status (OR = 2.83, 95%CI: 1.6 - 5.01) were significantly associated with TAP exposure among school-aged children. The research findings should contribute to effective implementation of measures for preventing and controlling tobacco use among students aged 13-15 in Viet Nam.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3809-3816
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• 2016

Background: Increasing knowledge and awareness of cancer screening significantly influence health promotion behavior which could markedly reduce incidence rates. In many countries, health care providers are the principal source of information concerning cancer screening. This study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge concerning cancer screening among medical students, house officers and residents and to explore their attitude towards cancer screening practices. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kasr Al Ainy Medical School at Cairo University in Egypt, with 300 undergraduate medical students and 150 postgraduates (interns and residents) enrolled. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the study participants regarding personal and education-related information, knowledge about cancer screening and its sources, and attitude towards cancer screening. Results: More than 64% of participants had knowledge scores of ${\leq}10$ points (out of 24). The total knowledge score (out of 6 points) for breast cancer screening increased from $1.9{\pm}1.0$ to $2.3{\pm}1.2$ and $2.4{\pm}1.1$ for $4^{th}$, $5^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ year respectively, interns showed the highest score of $2.6{\pm}1.1$, P= 0.001. Year of enrollment at medical school was a significant positive predictor of acquiring knowledge about cancer screening (post graduate vs. undergraduate students) (OR= 1.30, C.I =1.01-1.63), lack of or none receiving of orientation/training about cancer screening was the sole negative significant predictor for proper knowledge about cancer screening (OR=0.50, C.I=0.31-0.82). Over 92% of students agreed that they had insufficient knowledge about cancer screening, 88.2% appraised the need to have enough knowledge in order to direct/advice patients, relatives and friends, and 93.7% required that the faculty should emphasize the importance of cancer screening in the delivered curricula at medical school. Conclusions: A relatively low to moderate level of knowledge about cancer screening was detected among the selected medical students regardless of their year of enrollment at medical school or their graduation status, which may implicate a negative impact on early cancer detection especially in a low resource country like Egypt.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.132-136
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• 2014

Objective: The presence of sperm-head vacuoles has been suspected to be deleterious to the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). It is difficult to accurately distinguish morphologically abnormal sperm with vacuoles under a light microscope. This study was performed to analyze the result of the observation of sperm-head vacuoles using Papanicolaou staining under a light microscope and whether the male partner's age affects these vacuoles. Methods: Sperm morphology with vacuoles was evaluated using Papanicolaou staining and observed under a light microscope ($400{\times)$) in 980 men. The normal morphology was divided into three categories (group A, <4% of normal morphology; group B, 4%-14% of normal morphology; and group C, >14% of normal morphology). The criteria for the sperm-head vacuoles were those given in the World Health Organization manual. For the analysis of the age factor, the participants were divided into the following groups: 26-30 years, 31-35 years, 36-40 years, 41-45 years, and 46-50 years. Results: The percentage of sperm-head vacuoles increased with normal sperm morphology (group A vs. groups B, C) (p<0.05). In the case of the age factor, a statistically significant difference was not observed across any of the age groups. Conclusion: A majority of the sperm-head vacuoles showed a statistically significant difference among normal morphology groups. Therefore, we should consider the probability of the percentage of sperm-head vacuoles not increasing with age but with abnormal sperm morphology. A further study is required to clarify the effect of the sperm-head vacuoles on ART outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.152-165
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• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of vitrification on apoptosis and survival in human preantral follicles after thawing. Methods: This experimental study was conducted at an acute tertiary care hospital from March 2012 to April 2013. Ovaries were sliced into 5 × 5 × 1-mm pieces and divided into the following three groups: preantral follicle isolation, ovarian tissue vitrification-warming followed by follicle isolation, and immunohistochemistry of fresh ovarian tissue. For statistical analyses, the Student t-test, chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used. Results: A total of 161 preantral follicles (70% secondary) were collected from ovarian cortex tissue of six women between 30 and 37 years of age who underwent oophorectomy due to cervical cancer or breast cancer. There were no significant differences in the follicular morphology of fresh preantral follicles and vitrified follicles after thawing. The mean Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA expression level was 0.43 ± 0.20 (relative to β-actin) in fresh preantral follicles versus 0.51 ± 0.20 in vitrified follicles (p= 0.22). The mean caspase-3 mRNA expression level in fresh preantral follicles was 0.56 ± 0.49 vs. 0.27 ± 0.21 in vitrified follicles (p= 0.233). One vitrified-thawed secondary follicle grew and developed to an antral follicle within 6 days of culture. Conclusion: Vitrification did not affect preantral follicle morphology or mRNA expression of the apoptosis markers FasL and caspase-3. Further studies are required to establish whether vitrification affects the outcomes of in vitro culture and the maturation of preantral follicles.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2011

Purpose: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prevents tissue necrosis of the brain and cardiac muscle in the cardiac arrest patient and requires exact skills in order to increase survival rate. Through comparison of the training effects of feedback manikin and non-feedback manikin, this study present the effective CPR device to CPR instructors. Method: This CPR course for 80 students by using Resusci Anne $SkillReporter^{TM}$ (RASR; Laerdal Medical, Stavanger, Norway) and Actar 911 $Squadron^{TM}$ (A911; Vital Signs, New Jersey, USA) held on December 22, 2009. Thirty seven students and two assistants were placed in one laboratory, there were five RASR manikins which provide the LED performance indicator, not the metronome. Forty two students and two assistants were placed in the other laboratory, there were 20 A911 manikins which don't provide any feedback indicator. Chest compression scores and ventilation compression scores obtaining from two groups were analysed statistically by using independent t-test. Results: Chest compression scores, average depth (mm) was 37.5 in RASR and 41.80 A911 (p=.004), too depth (#) was 2.8 in RASR and 19.4 A911 (p=.005), average number per min (#/min) was 64.4 in RASR and 68.2 A911 (p=.038), wrong hand position (#/min) was 10.9 in RASR and 30.8 A911 (p=.040). Four items that showed better scores in group RASR had statistically significant difference. Ventilation compression scores, percent correct (%) was 40.6 in RASR and 20.6 A911 (p<.001), number correct (#) was 4.7 in RASR and 2.1 A911 (p=.002), too fast (#) was 0.9 in RASR and 2.9 A911 (p=.003), average volume (ml) was 536.5 in RASR and 707.1 A911 (p=.011). Also, three items that showed better scores in group RASR had statistically significant difference. Conclusions: Regarding the positive effect of CPR training feedback, comparison between the real-time visual feedback manikin (RASR) and the non-feedback manikin (A911) showed that RASR had better results than A911 in chest compression except average number per min (it means that we need harder chest manikin) and ventilation. Verification of the training effect in the real world such as CPR outcomes is also necessary. A proper application of manikin in training circumstances and research on retention of CPR skills will be needed.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2005

The purpose of present study was to compare the sedative effect of chloral hydrate and oral midazolam treatment. The study was conducted on twenty two child patients who required at least two visits. All the patients showed a good physical status (ASA-I). The patient was randomly assigned to receive drug either chloral hydrate 60mg/kg and hydroxyzine 25mg(Group I) or midazolam 0.5mg/kg and hydroxyzine 25mg(Group II) at each visit. Treatment procedures were divided into six stages. In each stage, sleep, crying, movement and overall behavior score were evaluated. The overall results can be summarized as follows: 1. Success rate was 59.9% in group I and was 77.8% in Group II. 2. Mean sleep score was $1.81{\pm}0.93$ in group I and was $1.44{\pm}0.69$ in group II (P<0.05). 3. Through all treatment procedures, no significant difference was observed between group I and group II in terms of crying, movement and overall behavior score(P>0.05). 4. There was no significant difference between the sex and the age(P>0.05). In regard to above results, oral midazolam considered to be a valuable drug as sedative agent in pediatric dentistry.