• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5875-5878
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• 2012

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) is a ligand dependent transcription factor involved in various processes, including carcinogenesis. We aimed to investigate any possible association of the $PPAR{\gamma}$ Pro12Ala (rs1801282) polymorphism with risk of developing gastric cancer (GC). Patients and Methods: A hospital based case control study was designed covering 50 patients with GC and 120 healthy controls. The frequencies of $PPAR{\gamma}$ Pro12Ala (rs1801282) were determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Results: The Ala12 allele of the $PPAR{\gamma}$ Pro12Ala G gene was associated with a 1.95 fold increased risk of GC development (p: 0.022; 95% CI: 1.58-2.40). Subgroup analyses showed that the same allele was also associated with metastasis (p: 0.000; OR:4.09; 95%CI:2.273-7.368) and differentiation (p: 0.004; OR:1.95; 95%CI:1.335-2.875) in patients with GC. Conclusion: This study suggests that the $PPAR{\gamma}$ Pro12Ala G (Ala12) allele might be associated with development, differentiation and metastatic process of GC in the Turkish population. Further studies conducted in larger study groups and in different ethnic populations will be needed to clarify the exact role of the $PPAR{\gamma}$ Pro12Ala polymorphism in GC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5647-5652
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• 2012

The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the metabolism of many xenobiotics, including an array of environmental carcinogens, pollutants, and drugs. Genetic polymorphisms in these genes may lead to inter-individual variation in susceptibility to various diseases. In the present study, GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were analysed using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction in 500 normal individuals from Delhi. The frequency of individuals with GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were 168 (33.6%) and 62 (12.4%) respectively, and 54(10.8%) were having homozygous null genotype for both the genes GSTM1 and GSTT1simultaneously. The studied population was compared with reported frequencies from other neighbouring state populations, as well as with those from other ethnic groups; Europeans, Blacks, and Asians. The prevalence of homozygous null GSTM1 genotype is significantly higher in Caucasians and Asians as compared to Indian population. The frequency of GSTT1 homozygous null genotypes is also significantly higher in blacks and Asians. We believe that due to large number of individuals in this study, our results are reliable estimates of the frequencies of the GSTM1, GSTT1 in Delhi. It would provide a basic database for future clinical and genetic studies pertaining to susceptibility and inconsistency in the response and/or toxicity to drugs known to be the substrates for GSTs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.157-163
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• 2012

Objective: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that play a crucial role in the detoxification of both the endogenous products of oxidative stress and exogenous carcinogens. Recent studies investigating the association between genetic polymorphisms in GSTs and the risk of adult brain tumors have reported conflicting results. The rationale of this pooled analysis was to determine whether the presence of a GST variant increases adult glioma susceptibility by combining data from multiple studies. Methods: In our meta-analysis, 12 studies were identified by a search of the MEDLINE, HIGHWIRE, SCIENCEDIRECT and EMBASE databases. Of those 12, 11 evaluated GSTM1, nine evaluated GSTT1 and seven evaluated GSTP1 Ile105Val. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using ${\chi}^2$-based Q statistic and the $I^2$ statistic. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the association between GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms and the risk of adult gliomas. Results: The quantitative synthesis showed no significant evidence to indicate an association exists between the presence of a GSTM1, GSTT1 or GSTP1 Ile105Val haplotype polymorphism and the risk of adult gliomas (OR, 1.008, 1.246, 1.061 respectively; 95% CI, 0.901-1.129, 0.963-1.611, 0.653-1.724 respectively). Conclusions: Overall, this study did not suggest any strong relationship between GST variants or related enzyme polymorphisms and an increased risk of adult gliomas. Some caveats include absence of specific raw information on ethnic groups or smoking history on glioma cases in published articles; therefore, well-designed studies with a clear stratified analysis on potential confounding factors are needed to confirm these results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3799-3804
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• 2013

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Malaysia. The prognosis of the disease is excellent if detected at an early stage, but the majority of Malaysian patients present at late stages. We aimed to assess the awareness of cancer warning signs and anticipated delay in help-seeking as possible contributors to this phenomenon. Materials and Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey using the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Measure was initiated in Perak, Malaysia. A total of 2,379 respondents aged 18 years and above were recruited using a multi-stage sampling in five locations. Analysis of covariance was used to examine independent sociodemographic predictors of scores for symptom awareness. Results: Younger age, being female, a higher education, and higher income were significantly associated with better scores for both recall and recognition of warning symptoms. Among the ethnic groups, Malays had better recognition of symptoms whereas Chinese recalled the most symptoms. Passing bloody stool was associated with the least anticipated delay and unexplained anal pain had the highest anticipated delay. Conclusions: The level of awareness across all ethnicities in Malaysia is generally low, especially among minorities. Targeted public education, which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, should be developed to encourage early help-seeking and improve clinical outcomes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.348-352
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• 2009

Over the last decade, the incidence of overweight and obesity has nearly doubled in many countries and is considered a pandemic. Obesity was identified as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease as the same level as smoking and diabetes. Visceral fat is considered one of the key contributors to outcome and certain ethnic groups such as Asians seem to be more affected than others. Weight reduction through lifestyle changes was found to be impactful to improve overall health, but weight loss and maintenance thereof is limited and difficult to sustain. Surgical intervention demonstrated a greater weight loss in the severely obese and was associated with improved all-cause mortality. Despite numerous pharmacological targets and a high medical need, only few drugs have been successfully developed. Earlier studies with amphetamine-derived compounds showed significant weight loss but their critical safety profiles led to market withdrawals and disappointment. More recent compounds; orlistat - a lipase inhibitor, rimonabant - a cannaboid-1-receptor antagonist, and sibutramine - a combined serotonin/norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor, all demonstrated similar significant efficacy; however, they carry specific safety profiles making them unsuitable for every patient. The main limitation of pharmacotherapy is the absence of clear benefit-risk assessments through outcome studies. Such a study - the SCOUT trial - was designed to compare sibutramine versus placebo and the effect on morbidity and mortality in nearly 10,000 obese patients with additional risk factors. Such studies could provide new scientific evidence for obesity treatment and may support future pharmacological approaches.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.395-399
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• 1999

Backgroud: Excess abdominal fat, expressed as an increased ratio of waist to hip circumferences (WHR), is independently associated with higher levels of blood pressure. Although a WHR greater than 1.0 in men has been shown to predict complications from obesity, the WHR has not been evaluated in all ethnic groups. Methods: In order to ascertain the association between WHR and classification of blood pressure and to investigate the critical value of WHR as a predictive factor of hypertension in Korean middle-aged men, we compared the mean of WHRs according to the classification of blood pressure in Seoul Cohort participants. Results: Through a surrey of direct measurement of waist and hip girth, 452 subjects were recruited from the cohort. The mean of WHR was 0.88 and its standard deviation was 0.04. The mean of WHRs was higher in the systolic blood pressure group (above 140 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure group (above 90 mmHg), and hypertension group than in the systolic blood pressure group (below 140 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure group (below 90 mmHg), and normotensive group, respectively. And WHR of above 0.89 was associated with hypertension (z-value =6.66). Conclusion: It is necessary for Korean males with WHR greater than 0.89 to recommend the primary prevention and early defection of hypertension.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.902-915
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• 2007

This study examines decorative features found in the traditional costume of the Miao, one of the minority groups in China, and adapts them for the development of modern Korean-style fashion designs in order to present visual sample data and to introduce techniques. As for the research method, both literature and visual data are examined: the former includes Miao-related books and theses; the latter, pictures from various documents and real-life data in the possession of Seoul Women's University. The study result is as follows: 1. The basic structure of Miao costume is consist of a Caftan-type upper garment and an accentuated lower garment, pleats skirt although they are decorated luxuriously with various techniques such as delicate embroidery and dyeing. 2. Details and trimmings in modern shapes are developed and presented by adding modern materials to satin, twists, cross-stitch embroidery, stripe patterns, geometrical patchwork, machine pleats and smoking, trimmings of fringe & feather, and the border line decoration of coloration, braids, piping, embroidery, belts tied and wound with colorful threads. 3. Detachable accessaries such as front reinforcement strips, back reinforcement strips, belts, decorative aprons and patchwork skirts are developed and designed by adapting highlighted layered effects. 4. The silver decoration used as an necessary by the Miao is suitable for modern fashion design in futuristic sense. Various techniques and decorative features of Miao costume display their true value all the more in modern fashion stream in which ethnic trends draw much attention.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was considered in order to identify the factors affecting healthcare utilization by Asian immigrants in the United States. Methods: From February to April 2011, a descriptive survey study was conducted in a convenience sample of 250 Korean and Asian Indian immigrants aged between 40 and 64 in the Triangle area of North Carolina. An author-developed instrument was used to assess predisposing, enabling, and need factors according to Anderson's Behavioral Model of Health Services. Utilization Data analysis was performed by $X^2$-test, t-test, and binary logistic regression. Results: Participants' healthcare services experiences were significantly different when they had a longer stay in the U.S., had been employed, had higher income, were Asian Indians, had better English-speaking skills, better health status, more knowledge of health system and health insurance, had higher satisfaction with the healthcare system, and when they were taking prescribed medications and having health insurance. The strongest association with experience of healthcare services was having health insurance with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 15.37 (95% CI 4.95-47.71, p<.001) and self-reported English proficiency (OR=1.99, 95% CI 1.00-3.96, p=.05). Conclusion: Intervention strategies to increase accessibility to healthcare services should focus on these significant predictors.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.252-261
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• 2016

This study examined the health status of female foreign spouses of multicultural families in Korea. More specifically, this study examined whether within-group difference exists depending on their country of origin in health status as well as determinants of their health status. For the analyses, data from the 2012 National Survey of Multicultural Families was used and a total of 165,451 spouses from China (both Korean-Chinese and Han Chinese), Vietnam, and The Philippines were included. The result showed that Vietnamese and Filipino women were healthier than Korean-Chinese and Han Chinese. The determinants and their size of the effect also varied across four groups of women. The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding immigrant women in the context of their ethnic background for interventions of their health. In addition, understanding their status and experiences in Korea must be in place for immigrant health studies, and potential differences by their country of origin must be considered in the development of health policies and practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.56 no.2 s.101
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• pp.134-146
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• 2006

Modern society is a multi-cultural consumer society, and there are multiple trends to cater to the tastes of diverse consumers with different sociocultural background. To grasp fashion trends in fast-changing society, how consumer life is changing and what sort of trend is prevailing should be understood above all. A major fashion trend keeps on changing in every season, and that is an extensive and compound measure of what affects the lives and values of cultural receivers who take the lead in it. The purpose of this study was to delve into what sorts of trends were presented in the 21st century's different cultures, how those cultures were reflected in fashion trends, and how design elements predicted by fashion trends could serve as the sources of design that could create a new fashion. The findings of the study were as follows: First of all, the theories of popular culture and trends were reviewed to describe how general receivers found meaning and delight in the products of cultural industry in their own way and how the products were converted into diverse cultural media. Secondly, consumer styles were discussed by classifying consumers into six groups, twixter, duppie, Ubi-Nomad, NONOS, LOHAS and chav, who were generated by changing cultural codes. Thirdly, sociocultural trends and consumer changes brought a lot of diverse changes to fashion trends. The visual materials about the 2005 S/S, F/W Collection were examined to track how changing trends affected fashion style.