• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2010

We have performed analyses using ancient DNA extracted from 25 excavated human bones, estimating around the 1st century B.C. Ancient human bones were obtained from Nukdo Island, which is located off of the Korean peninsula of East Asia. We made concerted efforts to extract ancient DNA of high quality and to obtain reproducible PCR products, as this was a primary consideration for this extensive kind of undertaking. We performed PCR amplifications for several regions of the mitochondrial DNA, and could determine mitochondrial haplogroups for 21 ancient DNA samples. Genetic information from mitochondrial DNA belonged to super-haplogroup M, haplogroup D or its sub-haplogroups (D4 or D4b), which are distinctively found in East Asians, including Koreans or Japanese. The dendrogram and principal component analysis based on haplogroup frequencies revealed that the Nukdo population was close to those of the East Asians and clearly distinguished from populations shown in the other regions. Considering that Nukdo is geologically isolated in the southern part of the Korean peninsula and is a site of commercial importance with neighboring countries, these results may reflect genetic continuity for the habitation and migration of ethnic groups who had lived in a particular area in the past. Therefore, we suggest that phylogenetic analyses of ancient DNA have significant advantages for clarifying the origins and migrations of ethnic groups, or human races.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2012

Objectives : In modern meditation, psychologic therapy and happy life have been in the main status. The aim of this study is to search about the value of modern meditation systematically and to summarize the contents on the meditation in "Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑)". Methods : We investigated the meditation-related materials in "Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑)", and discussed them in comparison with the other contents found in "Huangdi's Internal Classic(黃帝內經)" and some scriptures on meditation and self-discipline. Results : The mind-body concept in Korean Medicine takes meditation and self-discipline into main consideration. Meditation and self-discipline mean the endless pursuing the nature of mind and body, thus leading to self-practice about the true meaning of life. "Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑)" includes the views on the meditation and self-discipline from the various angles based on Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Conclusions : Meditation and self-discipline rooted in East Asian tradition are good ways to reach the true nature of mind-body system of universe and to help people seek happiness in their lives.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.601-605
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• 2019

As we learn more about parasites in ancient civilizations, data becomes available that can be used to see how infection may change over time. The aim of this study is to assess how common certain intestinal parasites were in China and Korea in the past 2000 years, and make comparisons with prevalence data from the 20th century. This allows us to go on to investigate how and why changes in parasite prevalence may have occurred at different times. Here we show that Chinese liver fluke (Clonorchis sinensis) dropped markedly in prevalence in both Korea and China earlier than did roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) and whipworm (Trichuris trichiura). We use historical evidence to determine why this was the case, exploring the role of developing sanitation infrastructure, changing use of human feces as crop fertilizer, development of chemical fertilizers, snail control programs, changing dietary preferences, and governmental public health campaigns during the 20th century.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.163-167
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• 2015

Background: Cancer is a major health problem at global level. It is increasingly registered in Iraq and Basrah but the epidemiological situation, though becoming better documented, is still questionable regarding the adequacy of data. Objective: The study aimed to measure the incidence of cancer in Basrah. Materials and Methods: The results presented in this paper are part of a large household survey carried out in Basrah governorate-southern Iraq over a 12 month period (January to December 2013). It involved a detailed interview with adult respondents from each and every household enrolled in the study during a three-year recall period about the incidence of cancer. A total of 6,999 households were covered yielding 40,684 persons. Results: The total number of new cancer cases reported over the three- year recall period (2010-2012) was 112. The average annual incidence rate of all cancers was 91.8 per 100,000 population with a higher rate for females (109.7) compared to males (74.3) The overall age standardized rate was 150.7 per 100,000. The highest incidence rate was recorded for the Southern part of the governorate (Abul-Khasib and Fao ) at 138.8 per 100,000 and the lowest was for East of Basrah (Shatt-Arab District) at 78.0 per 100,000. With respect to cancer types, the main cancers were those of breast, lung, larynx-pharynx, leukaemia, colon-rectum and urinary bladder. These six cancers accounted for 51.5% of all reported cases. Other important cancers were those of brain, bones, pancreas and liver, accounting for a further 17.9%. Conclusions: The pattern of cancer in Basrah is generally similar to the pattern at the national level in terms of age, sex and topography but the incidence rate according to the present household survey is higher than any previously reported figures. Household surveys for cancer seem feasible albeit difficult and costly.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6519-6522
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• 2013

Background: Genetic polymorphisms of TP63 have been suggested to influence susceptibility to lung adenocarcinoma development in East Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between common polymorphisms in the TP63 gene and the risk of lung adenocarcinoma, as well as interactions of the polymorphisms with environmental risk factors in Chinese non-smoking females. Methods: A case-control study of 260 cases and 318 controls was conducted. Data concerning demographic and risk factors were obtained for each subject. The genetic polymorphisms were determined by Taqman real-time PCR and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results: For 10937405, carriers of the CT genotype or at least one T allele (CT/TT) had lower risks of lung adenocarcinoma compared with the homozygous wild CC genotype in Chinese nonsmoking females (adjusted ORs were 0.68 and 0.69, 95%CIs were 0.48-0.97 and 0.50-0.97, P values were 0.033 and 0.030, respectively). Allele comparison showed that the T allele of rs10937405 was associated with a decreased risk of lung adenocarcinoma with an OR of 0.78 (95%CI=0.60-1.01, P=0.059). Our results showed that exposure to cooking oil fumes was associated with increased risk of lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese nonsmoking females (adjusted OR=1.58, 95%CI=1.11-2.25, P=0.011). However, we did not observe a significant interaction of cooking oil fumes and TP63 polymorphisms. Conclusion: TP63 polymorphism might be a genetic susceptibility factor for lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese non-smoking females, but no significant interaction was found with cooking oil fume exposure.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2015

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers in South East Asian countries including Cambodia, where prevalence of chronic carriers of hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) is reported to be very high. We reviewed HCC cases admitted to a cancer hospital in Phnom Penh, which is the only one hospital for cancer treatment and care in Cambodia during the study period. Materials and Methods: Information was collected from medical records of 281 cases (210 males and 71 females) diagnosed as primary HCC from 2006 to 2011. Results: The subjects were 7-81 years old with a median age of 53 years. Hypochondriac pain was the most common complained symptom (74%). One third of the cases presented with jaundice. Nearly half had ascites at their first visit. One third had liver cirrhosis. Nearly three fourths of the cases presented with tumor sized more than 50 mm in diameter, and in almost all cases (97.4%) the size was more than 20 mm. Among 209 subjects tested, hepatitis virus carriers were 75.6%; 46.4% for HBV only, 21.5% for HCV only, and 7.7% for both viral infections. Median age of patients with HBV was about ten years younger than those with HCV. Conclusions: This study revealed the characteristics of HCC cases in Cambodia, although there were several limitations. Most HCC cases were infected with HBV and/or HCV, and diagnosed at late stages with complications. This implicated that public health intervention to prevent HBV and HCV infection is of high priority.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1917-1921
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• 2012

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Genome wide analysis studies have identified sequence mutations causing loss-of-function that are associated with disease occurrence and severity. Epigenetic modifications, such DNA methylation, have also been implicated in many cancers but have yet to be examined in the East Asian population of colorectal cancer patients. Methods: Biopsies of tumors and matched non-cancerous tissue types were obtained and genomic DNA was isolated and subjected to the bisulphite conversion method for comparative DNA methylation analysis on the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation27 BeadChip. Results: Totals of 258 and 74 genes were found to be hyper- and hypo-methylated as compared to the individual's matched control tissue. Interestingly, three genes that exhibited hypermethylation in their promoter regions, CMTM2, ECRG4, and SH3GL3, were shown to be significantly associated with colorectal cancer in previous studies. Using heatmap cluster analysis, eight hypermethylated and 10 hypomethylated genes were identified as significantly differentially methylated genes in the tumour tissues. Conclusions: Genome-wide methylation profiling facilitates rapid and simultaneous analysis of cancerous cells which may help to identify methylation markers with high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis and prognosis. Our results show the promise of the microarray technology in identification of potential methylation biomarkers for colorectal cancers.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.25-34
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• 2010

Objective : This paper introduces a unique meridian theory developed by Japanese philosopher Yuasa Yasuo. Method : His meridian theory is well organized in his philosophy, so we systematically review his major works and philosophy from which we systematize his meridian theory. And we critically examine it with current studies. Results and Conclusions : He tried to overcome Cartesian mind-body dualism by Eastern thought and newly developing neurophysiology. He articulated "body scheme" from human information systems, primarily nervous system and meridian system, which regulate physiological functions. It consists of 1st external sensory motor circuit, 2nd circuit of coenesthesis, 3rd emotion-instinct circuit and 4th circuit of unconscious quasi-body. Meridian system is the 4th circuit, through which he thought various affect(emotion) flows. Based on the relationship of emotion-autonomic nervous system- meridian-skin, he tried to confirm the existence of meridian system. His theory illuminates mind-body problem and emotion-meridian relationship in traditional East Asian medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.65-77
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• 2021

Lee Jema said in his book, Dongui Susebowon, that the prescriptions for Soum constitutional type were already developed by doctors during the Song Jin Yuan China around 10th-13th century. Those prescriptions were common techniques that were used throughout the East Asian region. Among them, Lee Jema specially selected some candidate formulas and modified them according to his constitutional theory. This study investigated how similar his modified prescriptions to original formulas through database[ancient formula database] analysis. 24 out of 24 Soum prescriptions selected meaningful ingredient herbs from the original formula. A 50% or higher concordance rate compared to the original formulas. There are only 9 treatment prescriptions that cannot be checked in the ancient formula database. A future task will be to reveal the practical meanings of the ingredients Lee Jema adjusted for the Soum constitutional type patients.

• Oncology Letters
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.2953-2959
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• 2019

Rheum undulatum L. (R. undulatum) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in East Asian countries. Numerous stilbenes isolated from R. undulatum have been revealed to possess anticancer effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of extracts and compounds isolated from R. undulatum on human gastric cancer cell viability and to elucidate their molecular mechanism of action on the apoptosis pathway. The results demonstrated that aloe-emodin and chrysophanol 1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, isolated from the methanolic extract of dried rhizomes of R. undulatum, exhibited anti-proliferative effects on the human gastric carcinoma cell line AGS, with IC50 values of 84.66±0.44 and 68.28±0.29 µM, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased significantly following treatment with each compound at a concentration of 100 µM, compared with that in the non-treated group in the image-based cytometry assay. Western blot analysis revealed that these compounds activated the caspase cascade and inhibited B-cell lymphoma-2, an anti-apoptotic protein.