• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5531-5536
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• 2015

Background: Increased pricing of cigarettes might be one of the most effective approaches for reducing the prevalence of smoking. This study aimed to investigate the effects of increasing cigarette prices through taxation by a tobacco intervention policy on the changes in smoking prevalence in Korean university students. Materials and Methods: The participants in this study were 23,047 healthy university students aged 18-29 years from a health examination in 2011-2015. We investigated the adjusted prevalence of daily and occasional smoking before and after increasing cigarette prices through taxation. Results: The prevalence of occasional smoking was significantly decreased in 2015 from 2014 in both male (from 10.7% in 2014 to 5.4%) and female (from 3.6% to 1.1%) students, but the prevalence of daily smoking did not decrease significantly. The frequency of individuals who had attempted smoking cessation during the past year was significantly higher among occasional smokers in male students (90.2%) compared with daily smokers (64.9%). For female students, there were no differences in experience of smoking cessation, willingness for smoking cessation, or E-cigarette experience between daily and occasional smokers. Conclusions: We found that a policy of increasing cigarette prices through taxation is associated with decreases in the prevalence of occasional smokers, who have relatively lower nicotine dependence compared with individuals who smoke daily. The results of our study suggest that social support and direct intervention for smoking cessation at the community level are needed for university students alongside the pricing policy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1981-1987
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• 2014

Objective: To establish the prevalence and distribution profile of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) over a 22-yr period in North China. Methods: Using endoscopy for primary diagnosis and histological analysis for the further confirmation, a total of 74,854 ESCC patients aged 20-89 between January 1985 and December 2006 were investigated to analyze the epidemiological profile including prevalence rates, distribution of age-of-onset, gender and geographical area of ESCC in Luoyang, the highest incidence area of North China. Results: A total of 4092 cases of ESCC were finally diagnosed among 74,854 patients who had their first endoscopies. The prevalence among males was higher than that among females (p<0.01), resulting in an overall male:female OR of 1.2 (95%CI, 1.2-1.3). The prevalence in rural areas was higher than in urban areas (p<0.01), resulting in an overall rural:urban OR of 2.6 (95%CI, 2.4-2.9). The rural:urban ORs and the 95% CI increased continuously from 2.6, 2.3-3.0 to 2.7, 2.2-3.3, respectively, for 4 consecutive periods during the 22-yr study period. Moreover, the median age of onset among females was higher than that among males (p<0.01). For both sexes and in both areas, the prevalence rates declined and the median age of onset rose for 4 consecutive periods in the 22-yrs time frame (p<0.01). Conculsions: These data reveal the epidemiological profile of ESCC in the area of North China, and suggest that urban areas and rural people account for a growing proportion of the ESCC patients although the prevalence of ESCC significantly declined and the median age-of-onset postponed over the 22-yrs period. Moreover, the prevalence status of ESCC in rural areas also underlines the need for public health initiatives aimed at reducing risk factors of this fatal disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5867-5870
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• 2013

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Malaysian women with an ASR of 17.9 and a mortality rate of 5.6 per 100,000 population in 2008 (GLOBOCAN, 2008). The 5 year prevalence was estimated to be 14.5 per 100,000 population. As the second most common cancer affecting productive females, cervical cancer imposes an impact to the socioeconomic aspect of the country. However, the poor uptake of cervical cancer screening is a major problem in detecting early pre-cancerous lesions and thus, delay in initiating treatment for cervical cancer. Realizing the urgency to increase the uptake of PAP smear, besides enhancing the promotion of PAP smear screening for women above 35 years old, the call-recall system for pap smear screening had been piloted in one of the suburban districts which aimed to improve regular participation of women for cervical and breast cancer screening. This is of public health importance as identifying the best feasible option to increase patient's respond to participate in the screening program effectively in our setting will be helpful in implementing an organized regular population based screening program tailored to our setting. The pilot program of cervical cancer screening in Klang was an opportunity to assess different options in recalling patients for a repeat pap smear to increase their participation and adherence to the program. Methods and Results: This was a population based randomized control trial. Women aged 20-65 years in the population that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria were re-called for a repeat smear. There are four different intervention groups; letter, registered letters, short messages services (SMS) and phone calls where 250 subjects were recruited into each group. Samples were generated randomly from the same population in Klang into four different groups. The first group received a recall letter for a repeat smear similar to the one that has been given during the first invitation. The intervention groups were either be given a registered letter, an SMS or a phone call to re-call them. The socio-demographic data of the patients who came for uptake were collected for further analysis. All the groups were followed up after 8 weeks to assess their compliance to the recall. Conclusions: The study will provide recommendations about the most effective methods for recall in a population based pap smear screening program on two outcomes: i) patients response; ii) uptake for repeat pap smear.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2014

Objectives Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder characterized by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs and an urge to move the legs, usually at night. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of RLS in patients with late life depression and its influence on various clinical outcomes such as severity of depression, sleep quality, cognitive function, and quality of life and accordingly, to elucidate the clinical significance of RLS in patients with late life depression (LLD). Methods This study enlisted 170 depressive patients aged 65 years or older from an outpatient clinic. Structured diagnostic interviews were performed using the Korean version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. All patients completed the questionnaires, including the International RLS Severity Scale, the Korean version of Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The severity of depression was evaluated by the Korean form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS) and the level of global cognition was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet (MMSE-KC). Results The incidence of RLS was 17.6% in LLD patients. RLS was more prevalent among the subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) than those with minor depressive disorder or subsyndromal depressive disorder. The RLS group showed higher score in the KGDS than the Non-RLS group but the difference did not reach the statistical significance (p = 0.095, Student t-test). The mean PSQI score was significantly higher in the RLS group than in the Non-RLS group (p = 0.001, Student t-test). The MMSE-KC score was also lower in the RLS group than in Non-RLS group (p = 0.009, analysis of covariance). But, there was no difference in the score of SF-36 between the RLS group and the Non-RLS group. Conclusions RLS is common in LLD patients, especially in the patients with MDD and is associated with poor sleep quality and cognitive dysfunction, indicating that RLS is clinically significant in patients with LLD. Therefore, RLS should be considered as an important clinical issue in the management of LLD.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.135-146
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• 2019

Objectives : There are many theories about the anatomical relationships between the thoracic spinous and transverse processes. However, these studies were all conducted on cadavers. Thus, there might be differences when applied to living individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether the theories were similar when measured in living individuals. Methods : We conducted studies with 10 individuals aged 20-30 using 3D-CT. Four different measurements were taken between the thoracic spinous and transverse processes. To facilitate the relationship analysis, the spinous process positioned between the traverse process of the segment and the lower segment was set to 0.5. The spinous process located at the height of the traverse process of the lower segment was set to 1. The spinous process located between the traverse process of the lower segment and the two segments below was set to 1.5. Results : Therefore, based on the aforementioned settings, T1-T4 were 1, T5-T7 were 1.5, T8-T10 were 1, and T11 and T12 were 0.5. This indicated that the spinous processes of T1-T4 and T8-T10 were equal in height to the transverse processes of the lower segment, and that T5-T7 were at the midpoint of the height of the transverse processes between the lower segment and two segments below, and T11, T12 corresponded to the midpoint between the traverse process of the segment and the lower segment. Conclusions : Neither 'Geelhoed's rule'nor 'the rule of three'was accurate when applied to living individuals. However, this study had some limitations, so further research is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3147-3153
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• 2016

Background: Many strategies are required for cervical cancer reduction e.g. provision of education cautious sexual behavior, HPV vaccination, and early detection of pre-invasive cervical lesions and invasive cancer. Basic health data for cervical cytology/ HPV DNA and associated factors are important to make an appropriate policy to fight against cervical cancer. Aims: To assess the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology and/or HPV DNA and associated factors, including sexual behavior, among Bangkok Metropolitan women. Materials and Methods: Thai women, aged 25-to-65 years old, had lived in Bangkok for ${\geq}5$ years were invited into the study. Liquid-based cervical cytology and HPV DNA tests were performed. Personal data were collected. Main Outcomes Measures: Rates of abnormal cytology and/ or high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and factors associated with abnormal test (s) were studied. Results: Abnormal cytology and positive HR-HPV were found in 6.3% (279/4442 women) and 6.7% (295/4428), respectively. The most common abnormal cytology was ASC-US (3.5%) while the most common HR-HPV genotype was HPV 16 (1.4%) followed by HPV 52 (1.0%), HPV 58 (0.9%), and HPV 18 and HPV 51 at equal frequency (0.7%). Both tests were abnormal in 1.6% (71/4428 women). Rates of HR-HPV detection were directly associated with severity of abnormal cytology: 5.4% among normal cytology and 13.0%, 30.8%, 40.0%, 39.5%, 56.3% and 100.0% among ASC-US, ASC-H, AGC-NOS, LSIL, HSIL, and SCC, respectively. Some 5% of women who had no HR-HPV had abnormal cytology, in which 0.3% had ${\geq}$ HSIL. Factors associated with abnormal cytology or HR-HPV were: age ${\leq}40$ years, education lower than (for cytology) or higher than bachelor for HR-HPV), history of sexual intercourse, and sexual partners ${\geq}2$. Conclusions: Rates for abnormal cytology and HR-HPV detection were 6.3% and 6.7% HR-HPV detection was directly associated with severity of abnormal cytology. Significant associated factors were age ${\leq}40$ years, lower education, history of sexual intercourse, and sexual partners ${\geq}2$.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.231-238
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• 2016

Purpose: Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is a 65-kDa acute phase protein, derived from the liver, which is present in high concentrations in plasma. Data regarding the association between circulating plasma LBP levels and obesity-related biomarkers in the pediatric population are scarce. We aimed to determine whether there was a difference in plasma LBP levels between overweight/obese and normal-weight adolescents and to assess the correlation of circulating LBP levels with anthropometric measures and obesity-related biomarkers, including insulin resistance, liver enzyme levels, and lipid profiles. Methods: The study included 87 adolescents aged 12-13 years; 44 were overweight/obese and 43 were of normal-weight. We assessed anthropometric and laboratory measures, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, insulin resistance, liver enzyme levels, and lipid profiles. Plasma LBP levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The mean age of the participants was $12.9{\pm}0.3$ years. Circulating plasma LBP levels were significantly increased in overweight/obese participants compared with those in normal-weight participants ($7.8{\pm}1.9{\mu}g/mL$ vs. $6.0{\pm}1.6{\mu}g/mL$, P<0.001). LBP levels were significantly and positively associated with BMI, systolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting glucose and insulin, and insulin resistance as indicated by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (all P<0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis, BMI and HOMA-IR were independently and positively associated with plasma LBP levels. Conclusion: LBP is an inflammatory biomarker associated with BMI and obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents. The positive correlation between these parameters suggests a potentially relevant pathophysiological mechanism linking LBP to obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2002

This study was performed to investigate the effects of green tea or antioxidant vitamins on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme system in various regions of rat brain aged 9 and 12 months. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised on the experimental diets; 3% green tea powder diet, antioxidant vitamins diet containing the $\beta$-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E in the level same as in the 3% green tea powder diet, and control diet far 3 weeks. We measured concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxide (GSH-Px) in various brain regions such as cortex, cerebellum, striatum, and hippocampus. Green tea powder or antioxidant vitamin supplementation decreased MDA concentrations in the striatum and the hippocampus, and increased SOB activities in the striatum, and GSH-Px activities in the cortex. There was no significant difference in the observed antioxidative effects between the green tea powder and antioxidant vitamin supplementation. A significant difference between 9 month- and 12 month-old rats was found in MDA concentrations and GSH-Px activities in all brain regions. These results suggest that green tea powder can have protective effects on various regions of rat brain and that these effects on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes are different by age. In inhibiting lipid peroxidation, there was no difference between green tea powder and antioxidant vitamins.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5733-5739
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy in the world. Beta glucan can be a hematopoietic and an immune modulator agent in cancer patients. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of beta glucan on white blood cell counts and serum levels of IL-4 and IL-12 in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 30 women with breast carcinoma aged 28-65 years. The eligible participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=15) or placebo (n=15) groups using a block randomization procedure with matching based on age, course of chemotherapy and menopause status. Patients in the intervention group received two 10-mg capsules of soluble 1-3, 1-6, D-beta glucan daily and the control group receiving placebo during 21 days, the interval between two courses of chemotherapy. White blood cells, neuthrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts as well as serum levels of IL-4 and IL-12 were measured at baseline and at the end of the study as primary outcomes of the study. Results: In both groups white blood cell counts decreased after 21 days of the intervention, however in the beta glucan group, WBC was less decreased non significantly than the placebo group. At the end of the study, the change in the serum level of IL-4 in the beta glucan group in comparison with the placebo group was statistically significant (p=0.001). The serum level of IL-12 in the beta glucan group statistically increased (p=0.03) and comparison between two groups at the end of the study was significant after adjusting for baseline values and covariates (p=0.007). Conclusions: The findings suggest that beta glucan can be useful as a complementary or adjuvant therapy and immunomodulary agent in breast cancer patients in combination with cancer therapies, but further studies are needed for confirmation.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2016

The popularity of personal listening devices(PLDs) has increased over past years, especially, in adolescents. Overuses and missuses of PLDs could be the cause of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The purposes of this study were (1) to survey middle school students' habits using PLDs, knowledge of hearing loss and attitude of hearing protection and (2) to develope a questionnaire for assessment of habits using PLDs, knowledge of hearing loss and attitude of hearing protection in adolescents. The 41-item questionnaire was designed and used to survey middle school students' habits using PLDs, knowledge of hearing loss and attitude of hearing protection. A total of 404 middle school students aged 14-15 years participated in the survey. Most of the students were found to use PLDs soundly. However, 30 % of students used PLDs for more than 3 hours a day. Also, almost all of the students did not understand knowledge of the causes of hearing loss, but showed interests in hearing protection. However, some students had insufficient understanding of the causes of hearing loss and the needs of hearing protection. The results suggest that the development of programs for adolescents' hearing health is needed.