• 셀메드
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.19.1-19.32
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• 2013

Piper sarmentosum is a creeping herb belongs to the family of Piperaceae. It is locally known to the Malays as 'Pokok kadok' and can be found in different regions of South-East Asia including Malaysia. Ethnopharmacologically, various parts of the plant (e.g. leave, fruit and root) are widely used in Asian countries for centuries to treat different types of diseases and ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, joint aches, muscle pain, coughs, influenza, toothaches and rheumatism. Scientific findings also demonstrated different pharmacological actions of various parts of P. sarmentosum such as adulticidal, antitermite, antioxidant, antifungal, antituberclosis, antiplasmoid, antimalarial, hypoglycemia, antiinflammatory, antinoceptive, antipyretic, antibacterial, anticancer, antituberculosis, antiangiogenesis, antimicrobial, antifeedant and cytotoxic activities. Different types of phytochemical constituents have been successfully identified and isolated from various parts of P. sarmentosum. Therefore, the information related to the botany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of P. sarmentosum were reviewed here.

• 한국의사학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.89-103
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• 2018

Uirimchalyo (醫林撮要), one of the most important books in the history of Korean Medicine (KM), has not been researched within the framework provided by Yi'an (醫案), an East Asian tradition of describing clinical encounters with the therapies employed. In modern times, this practice of Yi'an might be similar to the outline of a singular "case study". The authors designed the study to analyze the basic information of Yi'an within the Uirimchalyo and to contribute to the foundations of employing Yi'an in Korean Medicine. A standard was established, and the 123 Yi'ans were extracted, most of which were taken from the chapter, Historic Doctors (歷代醫學姓氏). Using this information and in comparison with other medical books such as Euibangyoochui (醫方類聚), the authors learned that the Yi'ans from the Jinyuansidajia (金元四大家), including those of four eminent clinicians in Jin (金) and Yuan (元) Dynasty, are excluded from Uirimchalyo. The authors identified that Yi'ans from other medical books, are cited in the Uirimchalyo but with different format, not with the traditionally understood form of Yi'an. This study of the Uirimchalyo Yi'an resulted in three important understandings of Yi'an. First, the mere number of Uirimchalyo Yi'an is meaningful in that it raised the genre of Yi'an to the a level not previously recognized. Second, in the history of Korean Medicine, Yi'an is first systematized in the Uirimchalyo at the chapter of Historic Doctors. Third, Uirimchalyo raised the concept of usefulness of Yi'an, to the practice of Korean Medicine.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.267-273
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• 2021

Mibyeong (sub-health) is a concept that represents the sub-health in traditional East Asian medicine. Assuming that the nose sizes and shapes are related to respiratory function, in this study, we hypothesized that the nose size and shape features are related to the self-rated health (SRH) level and self-rated Mibyeong severity, and aimed to assess this relationship using a fully automated image analysis system. The nose size features were evaluated from the frontal and profile face images of 810 participants. The nose size features consisted of five length features, one area feature, and one volume feature. The level of SRH and the Mibyeong severity were determined using a questionnaire. The normalized nasal height was negatively associated with the self-rated health score (SRHS) (partial ρ = -0.125, p = 3.53E-04) and the Mibyeong score (MBS) (partial ρ = -.172, p = 9.38E-07), even after adjustment for sex, age, and body mass index. The normalized nasal volume (ρ = -.105, p = 0.003), the normalized nasal tip protrusion length (ρ = -.087, p = 0.014), and the normalized nares width (ρ = -.086, p = .015) showed significant correlation with the SRHS. The normalized nasal area (ρ = -.118, p = 0.001), the normalized nasal volume (ρ = -.107, p = .002) showed significant correlation with the MBS. The wider, longer, and larger the nose, the lower the SRHS and MBS, indicating that health status can be estimated based on the size and shape features of the nose.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.3865-3869
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• 2013

Background: Cigarette per day (CPD) use is a key smoking behaviour indicator. It reflects smoking intensity which is directly proportional to the occurrence of tobacco induced cancers. Self reported CPD assessment in surveys may suffer from digit bias and under reporting. Estimates from such surveys could influence the policy decision for tobacco control efforts. In this context, this study aimed at identifying underlying factors of digit bias and its implications for Global Adult Tobacco Surveillance. Materials or Methods: Daily manufactured cigarette users CPD frequencies from Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) - India data were analyzed. Adapted Whipple Index was estimated to assess digit bias and data quality of reported CPD frequency. Digit bias was quantified by considering reporting of '0' or '5' as the terminal digits in the CPD frequency. The factors influencing it were identified by bivariate and logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean and mode of CPD frequency was 6.7 and 10 respectively. Around 14.5%, 15.1% and 15.2% of daily smokers had reported their CPD frequency as 2, 5 and 10 respectively. Modified Whipple index was estimated to be 226.3 indicating poor data quality. Digit bias was observed in 38% of the daily smokers. Heavy smoking, urban residence, North, South, North- East region of India, less than primary, secondary or higher educated and fourth asset index quintile group were significantly associated with digit bias. Discussion: The present study highlighted poor quality of CPD frequency data in the GATS-India survey and need for its improvement. Modeling of digit preference and smoothing of the CPD frequency data is required to improve quality of data. Marketing of 10 cigarette sticks per pack may influence CPD frequency reporting, but this needs further examination. Exploring alternative methods to reduce digit bias in cross sectional surveys should be given priority.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.4921-4927
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• 2016

Background: Cervical cancer is a major preventable cancers. The, current study aimed to assess relevant knowledge and attitude of female students and hospital staff in Iran. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Medical and Nursing faculties and hospitals of East-Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Participants were medical and paramedical female students and female staff in hospitals selected by stratified random sampling techniques. Tools for data collection were questionnaires for which validity and reliability had been verified (${\alpha}=0.8$). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data with SPSS.16. Result: Response rates were 71 % (426 from 600) and 63.5% (254 from 400) for students and staff, respectively. Some 29.1% admitted that they had no information about cervical cancer, only 70 (10.3%) thinking their knowledge as high, 360 (52.9%) as intermediate, and 237 (34.9%) as low. While 93% of participants considered cervical cancer as a severe health problem, the only statistically significant relationships with knowledge were for education (p<.001) and occupation (p<.001) variables. Conclusion: Given the importance of the roles of medical students and personnel as information sources and leaders in health and preventive behavior, increasing and improving their scientific understanding seems vital. Comprehensive and appropriate education of all people and especially students and personnel of medical sciences and improving attitudes towards cervical cancer and its monitoring are to be recommended.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권17호
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• pp.7281-7285
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• 2014

Background: Gastric cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer and is more common in the East, compared to the West. This study assesses the trend of gastric cancers in Brunei Darussalam, a developing nation with a predominantly Malay population. Materials and Methods: The cancer registry from 1986 to 2012 maintained by the Department of Pathology, the only State Laboratory at the RIPAS Hospital, Ministry of Health, was reviewed and data extracted for analyses. The age standardised rate (ASR) and age specific incidence rate were calculated based on the projected population. Cancers diagnosed below 45 years were categorised as young gastric cancer. Results: Over the study period, there were a total of 551 cases of gastric cancer diagnosed. The most common type was adenocarcinoma (87.9%), followed by lymphoma (6.1%) and gastrointestinal stromal tumour (2.8%). The overall mean age at diagnosis was 61.9 years old (range 15 to 98) with an increasing trend observed, but this was not significant (ANOVA). There were differences in the mean age at diagnosis for the different races (p=0.003 for trend), but not the gender (p=0.105). Young gastric cancer accounted for 14.9%, being more common in women, and in Expatriate and Malay populations compared to the Chinese. There was a decrease in the ASR, from 17.3/100,000 in 1986-1990 to 12.5/100,000 in 2006-2010. Chinese had a higher overall ASR (20.2/100,000) compared to the Malays (11.8/100,000). The age specific rates were comparable between men and women until the age group 55-59 years when the rates started to diverge, becoming higher in men. Chinese men had higher rates then Malay men whereas, the rates were higher or comparable between the women until the age group >70 when the rate for Chinese women overtook their Malay counterpart. Conclusions: Our study showed that there is a declining trend in the incidence of gastric cancer and higher rates were observed in men and Chinese.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.7029-7032
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• 2013

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a very common cancer in Northeastern Thailand. Most CCA patients see a physician at a late stage when curative surgery is not possible. After diagnosis, they generally are treated by partial surgery/percutaneous drainage, chemotherapy and supportive treatment. Objective: This study aimed to assess the survival rates of CCA patients after supportive treatment. Methods: A retrospective cohort design was applied in this study. Data for 746 CCA patients were extracted from the hospital-based cancer registry of Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. The patients were diagnosed (at least by ultrasonography) between 1 January, 2009 and 31 December, 2009 and then followed up for current status until 30 June, 2011. The cumulative survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and independent prognostic factors were investigated using Cox regression. Results: The total follow-up time was 5,878 person-months, and the total number of deaths was 637. The mortality rate was therefore 10.8 per 100 person-year (95%CI : 10.1-11.7). The cumulative 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 month survival rates were 59%, 39%, 31%, 24% and 14%, respectively. The median survival time after supportive treatment was 4 months. After adjusting for gender, age, stage, distant metastasis, histological grading and treatment, stage was a significant predictor of survival of CCA patients. Those in stage III and stage IV had a 6.78 fold higher mortality than the stage I and stage II cases (95% CI : 1.6-28.7). Conclusion: It is very important to encourage patients to see health personnel at an early stage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3173-3177
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• 2016

Background: The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Lebanon provides cancer drugs free of charge for uninsured patients who account for more than half the total case-load. Other categories of cancer care are subsidized under more stringent eligibility criteria. MOPH's large database offers an excellent opportunity to analyze the cost of cancer treatment in Lebanon. Materials and Methods: Using utilization and spending data accumulated at MOPH during 2008-2013, the cost to the public budget of cancer drugs was assessed per case and per drug type. Results: The average annual cost of cancer drugs was 6,475$ per patient. Total cancer drug costs were highest for breast cancer, followed by chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), which together represented 74% of total MOPH cancer drug expenditure. The annual average cancer drug cost per case was highest for CML ($31,037), followed by NHL ($11,566). Trastuzumab represented 26% and Imatinib 15% of total MOPH cancer drug expenditure over six years. Conclusions: Sustained increase in cancer drug cost threatens the sustainability of MOPH coverage, so crucial for socially vulnerable citizens. To enhance the bargaining position with pharmaceutical firms for drug cost containment in a small market like Lebanon, drug price comparisons with neighboring countries which have already obtained lower prices may succeed in lowering drug costs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권9호
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• pp.5495-5501
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• 2013

Background: Alu elements are one of the most common repetitive sequences that now constitute more than 10% of the human genome and potential targets for epigenetic alterations. Correspondingly, methylation of these elements can result in a genome-wide event that may have an impact in cancer. However, studies investigating the genome-wide status of Alu methylation in cancer remain limited. Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) presents with high incidence in South-East Asia and thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the Alu methylation status in OSCCs and explore with the possibility of using this information for diagnostic screening. We evaluated Alu methylation status in a) normal oral mucosa compared to OSCC; b) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of normal controls comparing to oral cancer patients; c) among oral epithelium of normal controls, smokers and oral cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Alu methylation was detected by combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) at 2 CpG sites. The amplified products were classified into three patterns; hypermethylation ($^mC^mC$), partial methylation ($^uC^mC+^mC^uC$), and hypomethylation ($^uC^uC$). Results: The results demonstrate that the $%^mC^mC$ value is suitable for differentiating normal and cancer in oral tissues (p=0.0002), but is not significantly observe in PBMCs. In addition, a stepwise decrease in this value was observed in the oral epithelium from normal, light smoker, heavy smoker, low stage and high stage OSCC (p=0.0003). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses demonstrated the potential of combined $%^mC$ or $%^mC^mC$ values as markers for oral cancer detection with sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 56.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Alu hypomethylation is likely to be associated with multistep oral carcinogenesis, and might be developed as a screening tool for oral cancer detection.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.125-135
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• 2013

Objectives : Medical treating with eating foods is one of important therapies in East Asian traditional medical knowledge and is referred as a therapy to treat diseases through foods. Since the food cannot be separated from ordinary people living, the medical treating with eating foods is a therapy with strong locality and contains many autogenous parts. Methods : Recently, the world is showing much interest for genetic resources, and the concept of intellectual property is rapidly expanding as the field of 'new knowledge property right' as well. Thus, the knowledge of medical treating with eating foods recently draws much attention in the economic aspect beyond the scholarly interest for traditional medicine. Here, I would like to summarize and report the contents related to medical treating with eating foods on "Yi, SeikKan experience prescriptions" which was discovered before. Results & Conclusions : First, medical treating with eating porridge on "Yi, SeikKan experience prescriptions" is classified into one with nonglutinous rice as the main ingredient and the other with other grains as the main ingredient. It is differently utilized depending on the nature of the grain. Second, medical treating with eating rice on "Yi, SeikKan experience prescriptions" was born from our nation's unique way of living and is classified into one way to eat rice mixed with ground medicinal herbs, another one to cook and eat rice with mixed grains and the other way to use as the external application. Medical treating with eating rice is assumed to replace the meal. Third, "food section" was given separately and discussed in this book. There were some parts different from existing medical knowledge due to the accumulation of experience using medicinal herbs. Fourth, we should pay attention to experience a book on medicine where vibrant medical information has been recorded in order to discover and process our traditional knowledge resources as a useful form.