• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4945-4948
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• 2015

Background: Adiponectin is a protein, synthesized by adipose tissue, which has a questionable role in breast cancer pathogenesis. This study focused on serum levels of adiponectin among cases and controls, and its possible association with breast cancer risk. Materials and Methods: This case-control study covered 175 diagnosed breast cancer patients with positive histopathology from Breast Clinic, surgical unit-1, Civil Hospital, Karachi and 175 healthy controls from various screening programs. Blood samples were obtained after an overnight fast and later analyzed. Results: Fasting blood glucose was significantly raised, while serum adiponectin was significantly decreased in breast cancer cases when compared to control subjects. To find the precise influence of serum adiponectin on the risk of breast cancer, subjects were divided in to quartiles based on serum levels of adiponectin. It is observed that risk of breast cancer decreased with rising quartile. Q2 (25th-50th) had the highest OR=1.76 (CI: 0.93- 3.34), Q3 (50th-75th) has OR= 0.89 (CI: 0.48-1.64), while subjects in the highest quartile Q4 (>75th) had significantly (p< 0.05) decreased risk of breast cancer having OR=0.06 (CI: 0.02-0.15), when compared to the lowest quartile. Conclusions: We demonstrated a statistically significant association of elevated serum adiponectin with decreased risk of breast cancer. This signifies a protective role of adiponectin via an intricate mechanism of masking mitogenic growth factors in breast carcinogenesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4185-4192
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• 2015

Background: A protective effect of resistant starch (RS) containing foods on carcinogenesis has been shown from several lines of experimental evidence for gastrointestinal cancers. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between RS contained foods and breast cancer (BC) risk in a hospital-based, age- and origin-matched, case-control study. Materials and Methods: A validated, semi-quantitative, food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was completed by 306 women newly diagnosed with BC aged 25 to 65 years, and 309 healthy women as matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models. Results: Reduced BC risk was associated with the highest tertile of whole-wheat bread and boiled potato consumption with adjusted ORs at 0.34 (95%CI: 0.19-0.59) and 0.61 (95%CI: 0.37-0.99), respectively. Among consumers of whole-wheat bread, the protective role of cereals remained relatively apparent at higher intakes level of fiber rich breads at adjusted models (OR=0.53, 95%CI: 0.28-1.01). Moreover, high intake of legumes was found out to be a significant protective dietary factor against risk of BC development with an OR of 0.01 (95%CI: 0.03-0.13). However, consumption of white bread and biscuits was positively related to BC risk. Conclusions: Our results show that certain RS containing foods, in particular whole wheat bread, legumes and boiled potato may reduce BC risk, whereas higher intake of white bread and biscuits may be related to increased BC risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4303-4310
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• 2015

Rumex vesicarius is an edible herb distributed in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The whole plant has significant value in folk medicine and it has been used to alleviate several diseases. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the major primary malignant tumor of the liver, is one of the most life-threatening human cancers. The goal of the current study was to explore the potent role of Rumex vesicarius extract against HCC induced in rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into 3 groups: (I): Healthy animals received orally 0.9 % normal saline and served as negative control group, (II): HCC group in which rats were orally administered N-nitrosodiethylamine NDEA, (III): HCC group treated orally with R. vesicarius extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg b.wt daily for two months. ALT and AST, ALP and ${\gamma}$-GT activities were estimated. CEA, AFP, AFU, GPC-3, Gp-73 and VEGF levels were quantified. Histopathological examination of liver tissue sections was also carried out. The results of the current study showed that the treatment of the HCC group with R. vesicarius extract reversed the significant increase in liver enzymes activity, CEA, AFP, AFU, glypican 3, golgi 73 and VEGF levels in serum as compared to HCC-untreated counterparts. In addition, the favorable impact of R. vesicarius treatment was evidenced by the marked improvement in the histopathological features of the liver of the treated group. In conclusion, the present experimental setting provided evidence for the significance of R. vesicarius as anticancer candidate with a promising anticancer potential against HCC. The powerful hepatoprotective properties, the potent antiangiogenic activity and the effective antiproliferative capacity are responsible for the anticancer effect of this plant.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.429-442
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• 2000

Based on current evidence in the literature, it is known that endotoxin is a weakly adherent surface phenomenon and that power-driven instruments can be used to accomplish definitive root detoxification and maximal wound healing without overinstrumentation of root and without extensive cementum removal. And one of the newly developed curette tips used with low power of piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler, is effective to remove calculus and not to remove the excessive cementum. The purpose of this study is therefore, to assess the influence of ultrasonic power and various working parameters on root substitute removal when instrumentation is performed with the curette tip on piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler. This study assessed defect depth, width and area resulting from instrumentation using a piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler with a curette type tip in vitro to acrylic resin block as a root substitute. The working parameters was standardized by the sledge device which controls lateral force(0.5 N, 1 N, 2 N) and instrumentation time(5 sec, 10 sec, 20 sec) and power setting was adjusted 0,2,4,8 in P mode. Power setting had the greatest influence on defect depth compared to lateral force and instrumentation time(standardized regression parameter estimates${\pm}$standard error, $0.37{\pm}0.02$, $0.19{\pm}0.02$, $0.07{\pm}0.02$). The effects on defect area also greatest for power setting($0.57{\pm}0.03$) compared to lateral force and instrumentation time($0.33{\pm}0.03$, $0.12{\pm}0.03$). The effect of the power setting on the defect width($0.15{\pm}0.01$) is not so great as defect depth or defect area compared to lateral force($0.12{\pm}0.01$) and effect of instrumentation time is minimal($0.02{\pm}0.01$). It could be concluded that the power setting has the greatest influence on the defect depth and area in curette type tip with low power of piezoelectric ultrasonic device. Many parameters can be adjusted in various situation in clinical use of piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler but the power setting is the first parameter to be adjusted.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.234-240
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• 2011

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that typically presents as a monophasic disorder associated with multifocal neurologic symptoms and encephalopathy. ADEM is considered an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by an environmental stimulus in genetically susceptible individuals. The diagnosis of ADEM is based on clinical and radiological features. Most children with ADEM initially present with fever, meningeal signs, and acute encephalopathy. The level of consciousness ranges from lethargy to frank coma. Deep and subcortical white-matter lesions and gray-matter lesions such as thalami and basal ganglia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with ADEM. In a child who presents with signs of encephalitis, bacterial and viral meningitis or encephalitis must be ruled out. Sequential MRI is required to confirm the diagnosis of ADEM, as relapses with the appearance of new lesions on MRI may suggest either multiphasic ADEM or multiple sclerosis (MS). Pediatric MS, defined as onset of MS before the age of 16, is being increasingly recognized. MS is characterized by recurrent episodes of demyelination in the CNS separated in space and time. The McDonald criteria for diagnosis of MS include evidence from MRI and allow the clinician to make a diagnosis of clinically definite MS on the basis of the interval preceding the development of new white matter lesions, even in the absence of new clinical findings. The most important alternative diagnosis to MS is ADEM. At the initial presentation, the 2 disorders cannot be distinguished with certainty. Therefore, prolonged follow-up is needed to establish a diagnosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.9
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• pp.291-300
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• 2018

Purpose: Understanding changes in pathogen and pneumonia prevalence among pediatric pneumonia patients is important for the prevention of infectious diseases. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of children younger than 18 years diagnosed with pneumonia at 117 Emergency Departments in Korea between 2007 and 2014. Results: Over the study period, 329,380 pediatric cases of pneumonia were identified. The most frequent age group was 1-3 years old (48.6%) and the next was less than 12 months of age (17.4%). Based on International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision diagnostic codes, confirmed cases of viral pneumonia comprised 8.4% of all cases, pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae comprised 3.8% and confirmed cases of bacterial pneumonia 1.3%. The prevalence of confirmed bacterial pneumonia decreased from 3.07% in 2007 and 4.01% in 2008 to 0.65% in 2014. The yearly rate of pneumococcal pneumonia also decreased from 0.47% in 2007 to 0.08% in 2014. A periodic prevalence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) was identified. Conclusion: The increased number of patients with pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, pleural effusion, and empyema in 2011 and 2013-2014 resulted from an MP epidemic. We provide evidence that the frequency of confirmed cases of bacterial pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia has declined from 2007 to 2014, which can simultaneously reflect the effectiveness of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.242-249
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• 2020

Background The Exoscope is a novel high-definition digital camera system. There is limited evidence signifying the use of exoscopic devices in microsurgery. This trial objectively assesses the effects of the use of the Exoscope as an alternative to the standard operating microscope (OM) on the performance of experts in a simulated microvascular anastomosis. Methods Modus V Exoscope and OM were used by expert microsurgeons to perform standardized tasks. Hand-motion analyzer measured the total pathlength (TP), total movements (TM), total time (TT), and quality of end-product anastomosis. A clinical margin of TT was performed to prove non-inferiority. An expert performed consecutive microvascular anastomoses to provide the exoscopic learning curve until reached plateau in TT. Results Ten micro sutures and 10 anastomoses were performed. Analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in performing micro sutures for TP, TM, and TT. There was statistical significance in TM and TT, however, marginal non-significant difference in TP regarding microvascular anastomoses performance. The intimal suture line analysis demonstrated no statistically significant differences. Non-inferiority results based on clinical inferiority margin (Δ) of TT=10 minutes demonstrated an absolute difference of 0.07 minutes between OM and Exoscope cohorts. A 51%, 58%, and 46% improvement or reduction was achieved in TT, TM, TP, respectively, during the exoscopic microvascular anastomosis learning curve. Conclusions This study demonstrated that experts' Exoscope anastomoses appear non-inferior to the OM anastomoses. Exoscopic microvascular anastomosis was more time consuming but end-product (patency) in not clinically inferior. Experts' "warm-up" learning curve is steep but swift and may prove to reach clinical equality.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.11-36
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• 2012

Objectives : Sleep Disorders are very common in clinical stages and there are many reports and papers regarding this subject. I try to understand the present state of sleep research in JON (The Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry) for the benefits of clinical practice. Methods : We searched and read every article on JON from 1990 to 2012 and selected ones that are related to Sleep Disorder; then analyzed the data to 5 categories, like literature study, case study, Clinical Data-Analysis study, experimental study, and clinical trial. Results : 1. We Found 41 articles relating to sleep disorder in JON form 1999 to 2012, and there were 9 literature studies, 13 case studies, 13 Clinical Data-Analysis studies, 4 experimental studies, and 2 clinical trials. 2. There were Sa-Am Acupuncture Method, Pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, and Auricular acupuncture to treat Sleep Disorder. 3. There were many additional treatments like Purgative Therapy, etc. 4. They reported the ordinary sleep pattern of Soeumin and Soyangin, too. 5. In the experimental study, they reported several herbs, herbal prescription on the expression of melatonin receptors, and Punsimgeimgamibang on insomnia, anxiety, emotionality in rats. 6. There were 2 clinical trials, one for Hwabyung-patient with insomnia by acupuncture treatment and another for insomnia in the elderly by ETF-I program. 7. There were 2 case of other sleep disorder (enuresis, sleepwalking) and 2 literature study of dream. Conclusions : In JON regarding sleep disorder, the majority was due to insomnia. Therefore, we also have to expand our sight into other sleep diseases. We need more clinical trials and experimental researches for the construction of EBM Sleep Disorder in Oriental Neuropsychiatry.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.203-218
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• 2018

It has been extensively known in the high temperature regions such as southern China and south east Asia that Korean ginseng(Panax ginseng) intake raises body heat, while American ginseng(Panax quinquefolium) lowers it, based upon oriental medicine. This is likely due to the misunderstanding of the conception that Korean ginseng shows a warm property, resulting in enhanced blood circulation and stimulation of metabolism. It's further supported by the fact that current scientific studies have shown no notable side effects. Moreover, it has been demonstrated in animal experimental test that Korean ginseng shows a complementary effect in a high temperature environment, together with scientific evidence of a preventive effect of ginseng saponin against cold conditions, suggesting it to exhibit an adaptogenic effect normalizing the body under abnormal body conditions. However, there is a shortage of studies published concerning comparative clinical and animal studies of Korean and American ginsengs, and also, on natives of high temperature countries. Therefore, a further placebo-controlled clinical study has to be considered to elucidate scientifically clinical evaluation of Korean and American ginsengs on the body heat. In this article, we summarize the scientific publications reporting the clinical comparative study of Korean and American ginsengs on body heat response.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.333-342
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• 2016

Background: The use of therapeutic materials based on new health technology has increased in recent years in the field of medicine, raising concerns for medical practitioners regarding increased spending on the new therapeutic materials amid the rapid population ageing and increase of chronic diseases in Korea. While therapeutic materials have significant importance in the health care system, they have not been given appropriate attention in the academic world of Korea. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that affect the growth of expenditure on therapeutic materials and to derive implications for an effective management considering the diversity of therapeutic materials. Methods: Using the claims data of the National Health Insurance Services, specific utilization patterns of groups of therapeutic materials in the middle classification level of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2007 to 2014 were analyzed. Four categories (J5083: drug eluting coronary stent, D0302: nonmetallic anchor, K6014: gauze, K6023: gauze) that exhibit unique patterns with respect to price and volume were selected. Then, decomposition analysis was performed to identify the largest contributor to the spending growth by dividing the products into existing, new, and abandoned products for the period between 2010 and 2013. Results: The effect of new products had larger impact on spending growth than the effect of core items in drug eluting coronary stent (J5083) and nonmetallic anchor (D0302). In addition, existing products in general included items priced relatively lower when compared with another item manufactured by the same company. In the gauze category, however, existing products had the largest impact on expenditure and the effect of volume was greater than that in other categories. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that appropriate management measures classified by the characteristics of therapeutic materials are required for therapeutic materials pricing and reassessment in Korea.