• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2055-2060
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• 2016

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of death worldwide and in Thailand. The X-ray repair cross-complementary protein 1 (XRCC1) is required for efficient DNA repair. The effects of this gene on survival in colorectal cancer remain controversial and have not been reported in Thailand. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the XRCC1 gene with survival of colorectal cancer patients in a Thai population. Materials and Methods: Data and blood samples were collected from 255 newly diagnosed and pathologically confirmed CRC patients who were recruited during the period 2002 to 2006 and whose vital status was followed up until 31 October, 2014. Real-time PCR-HRM was used for genotype identification. The Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to estimate cumulative survival curves and compare various survival distributions and adjusted hazard ratios. Results: Most of the cases were males, and the median age was 55 years. The median survival time was 2.43 years. The cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10 year survival rates were 76.70%, 39.25%, 26.50%, 16.60% and 3.56%, respectively. After adjustment, female gender, ages 50-59 and ${\geq}60years$, tumour stage III+IV, a signet-ring cell carcinoma, and poor differentiation had significant associations with increased risk of CRC death. While the XRCC1 Arg/Arg homozygote appeared to be a risk factor for CRC death, the association was not significant. Conclusions: The genetic variant in the XRCC1 may not be associated with the survival of CRC patients in Thailand. Further studies are needed to verify our findings.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2013

Purpose: We reviewed the treatment outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with anal canal carcinoma who were treated with curative intent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) at Severance Hospital from 2005 to 2011. Materials and Methods: Data for 38 eligible patients treated during this period were reviewed. All patients were treated with curative intent using radiotherapy (RT) with (n = 35) or without concomitant chemotherapy (n = 3). Among 35 patients who received CRT, most of the chemotherapeutic regimens were either 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus mitomycin C (23 patients) or 5-FU plus cisplatin (10 patients). Recurrence-free survival (RFS), colostomy-free survival (CFS), overall survival (OS), and locoregional control (LRC) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and survival between subgroups were compared using the log-rank test. Cox's proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Over a median follow-up period of 44 months (range, 11 to 96 months), 3-year RFS, CFS, OS, and LRC were 80%, 79%, 85%, and 92%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor size >4 cm was an independent predicting factor for poorer RFS (hazard ratio [HR], 6.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42 to 28.5; p = 0.006) and CFS (HR, 6.25; 95% CI, 1.39-28.0; p = 0.017), while the presence of external iliac lymph node metastasis was an independent prognosticator for poorer OS (HR, 9.32; 95% CI, 1.24 to 70.3; p = 0.030). No treatment-related colostomies or deaths occurred during or after treatment. Conclusion: Curative intent CRT resulted in excellent outcomes that were comparable to outcomes in previous randomized trials. No severe treatment-related toxicities were observed.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.217-223
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• 2005

To assess that the XRCC1 399Gln variant contributes to sensitivity to ionizing radiation treatment and is associated with progression-free and overall survival, one hundred and ninety-five lung cancer patients were recruited at the Asan Medical Center from 2000 to 2003. We determined the genotypes of the XRCC1 genes by PCR-RFLP. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test were used to analyze the effects of genotypes on survival. Hazard ratios, adjusted for age, sex, and other potential confounders, were calculated using the Cox-proportional hazard model. Patients carrying the 399Gln variant allele under radiotherapy only had a shorter progression-free and overall survival than those with the 399Arg homozygote. However, when we analyzed for the effect of the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism in the combined treatment of surgical resection and radiotherapy, we found that patients with the 399Gln variant allele had a longer progression-free and overall survival. This study shows different associations between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and progression-free or overall survival depending on treatment protocol in patients with NSCLC.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2016

Purpose: PIK3CA is often mutated in a variety of malignancies, including colon, gastric, ovary, breast, and brain tumors. We investigated PIK3CA expression in gastric cancer and explored the relationships between the PIK3CA expression level and clinicopathological features as well as survival of the patients. Materials and Methods: We examined PIK3CA expression in a tissue microarray of 178 gastric adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry and reviewed patients' medical records. Results: In our study, 112 of the 178 gastric cancer patients displayed positive PIK3CA expression. Overexpression of PIK3CA was correlated with low grade differentiation (P=0.001), frequent lymphatic invasion (P=0.032), and high T stage (P=0.040). Patients with positive PIK3CA staining were more likely to display worse overall survival rate than those with negative PIK3CA staining, as determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test (P=0.047) and a univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model (hazard ratio=1.832, P=0.051). Conclusions: Elevated PIK3CA expression was significantly correlated with tumor invasiveness, tumor phenotypes, and poor patient survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.243-248
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• 2013

Background: Associations between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and cancer risk have been reported for many years, but the results from prospective cohort studies remains controversial. A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was therefore conducted to address this issue. Methods: Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed and EMBASE up to October 2012. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) was calculated by using random effects model. Results: Eleven prospective cohort studies involving a total of 194,796 participants and 11,459 cancer cases were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR per natural log unit change in CRP was 1.105 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.033-1.178) for all-cancer, 1.308 (95% CI: 1.097-1.519) for lung cancer, 1.040 (95% CI: 0.910-1.170) for breast cancer, 1.063 (95% CI: 0.965-1.161) for prostate cancer, and 1.055 (95% CI: 0.925-1.184) for colorectal cancer. Dose-response analysis showed that the exponentiated linear trend for a change of one natural log unit in CRP was 1.012 (95% CI: 1.006-1.018) for all-cancer. No evidence of publication bias was observed. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis showed that the elevated levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk of all-cancer, lung cancer, and possibly breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. The result supports a role of chronic inflammation in carcinogenesis. Further research effort should be performed to identify whether CRP, as a marker of inflammation, has a direct role in carcinogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.533-540
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• 2016

This study assessed the risk of an oyster-shucking site to establish the hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system model by measuring viable cell counts, coliform group Staphylococcus aureus foreign material on oysters, oyster-producing equipment, and washing water. The viable cell count and coliform group levels of the harvested raw oysters were 4.00 log CFU/g and 1.1×10² MPN/100 g, while those of washed oysters were 2.99 log CFU/g and (3.2−4.6) × 10 MPN/100 g, respectively. After washing the oysters, no Escherichia coli or pathogenic bacteria (E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, S. aureus, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Clostridium perfringens) were detected. Regardless of the location of foreign matter, up to 100% more metallic and non-metallic foreign matter was detected at 1.5 mmΦ than at 3.5 mmΦ, using a metal detector with increased sensitivity. According to the results, the critical control points (CCP) are the washing and metal-detection processes. These results can be used as basic data to improve sanitation at oyster-shucking sites in factories with an HACCP system.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.845-852
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• 2014

The quality of commercial sauce products was evaluated through pH, soluble solid content, salinity, water activity and microbial analyses. The pH of sauces was 2.38~5.30, soluble solids were between 6.03 and 71.67, and distributions of salt were 0.23~5.00% in 32 commercial sauce products. In addition, water activity of vinegar red pepper sauce and spicy soft tofu stew stock were determined 0.773 and 0.988, respectively. Yeast, mold, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and coliform were not detected in any sauces. Higher level of total viable cells (TVC) resulted in pH over 4.2. TVC of shelf-stable sauces was 1.0~3.6 log CFU/g. TVC of seven sauce products was classified as non-potentially hazardous foods by temperature controlled for safety standard (TCS), even though levels were over acceptable guidelines of the USDA (3 log CFU/g). These results indicate that the standard and classification of commercial sauce products should be modified and controlled strictly.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.674-682
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of illness from Campylobacter spp. on ham. To identify the hazards of Campylobacter spp. on ham, the general characteristics and microbial criteria for Campylobacter spp., and campylobacteriosis outbreaks were investigated. In the exposure assessment, the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. on ham was evaluated, and the probabilistic distributions for the temperature of ham surfaces in retail markets and home refrigerators were prepared. In addition, the raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) 2012 were used to estimate the consumption amount and frequency of ham. In the hazard characterization, the Beta-Poisson model for Campylobacter spp. infection was used. For risk characterization, a simulation model was developed using the collected data, and the risk of Campylobacter spp. on ham was estimated with @RISK. The Campylobacter spp. cell counts on ham samples were below the detection limit (<0.70 Log CFU/g). The daily consumption of ham was 23.93 g per person, and the consumption frequency was 11.57%. The simulated mean value of the initial contamination level of Campylobacter spp. on ham was −3.95 Log CFU/g, and the mean value of ham for probable risk per person per day was 2.20×10⁻¹². It is considered that the risk of foodborne illness for Campylobacter spp. was low. Furthermore, these results indicate that the microbial risk assessment of Campylobacter spp. in this study should be useful in providing scientific evidence to set up the criteria of Campylobacter spp..

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.103-118
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• 2015

The purpose of this paper is to discuss possibilities of applying growth curve models, such as Logistic, Log-Logistic, Log-Normal, Gompertz and Weibull, to three specific technology areas of Fishery Science and Technology in the process of measuring their technology level between Korea and countries with the state-of-the art level. Technology areas of hazard control of organism, environment restoration, and fish cluster detect were selected for this study. Expert panel survey was conducted to construct relevant panel data for years of 2013, 2016, and a future time of approaching the theoretical maximum technology level. The size of data was 70, 70 and 40 respectively. First finding is that estimation of shape and location parameters of each model was statistically significant, and lack-of-fit test using estimated parameters was statistically rejected for each model, meaning all models were good enough to apply for measuring technology levels. Second, three models other than Pearl and Gompertz seemed very appropriate to apply despite the fact that previous case studies have used only Gompertz and Pearl. This study suggests that Weibull model would be a very valid candidate for the purpose. Third, fish cluster detect technology level is relatively higher for both Korea and a country with the state-of-the-art among three areas as of 2013. However, all three areas seem to be approaching their limits(highest technology level point) until 2020 for countries with the state-of-the-art. This implies that Korea might have to speed up her research activities in order to catch up them prior to 2020. Final suggestion is that future study may better apply various and more appropriate models respectively considering each technology characteristics and other factors.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2013

The hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system was introduced to the Korean livestock slaughter and product processing business in 1997. Ice cream manufacturers focus on the sterilization process in order to reduce microorganism, so the HACCP-accredited ice cream manufacturers particularly set the sterilization process as critical control point (CCP). Therefore, the microbiological test results on the finished products can be considered as one of the indicators which show the level of microbiological control in the ice cream manufacturers. Accordingly, this study was carried out to examine if there is a meaningful difference in terms of the microbiological control level between the HACCP-accredited and non-accredited ice cream manufacturer groups by comparing aerobic plate count (APC) of ice creams. The mean of APC was 1.68 Log CFU/g in the HACCP-accredited ice cream manufacturer group and 2.59 Log CFU/g in the non-accredited ones respectively and there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The test results suggest that the level of microbiological control in the HACCP-accredited ice cream manufactures is much higher than that of non-accredited ones.