• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1156-1168
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• 2007

The somatotropic (GH-IGF-I) axis consists of many hormonal and nutritional factors that control GH release from the somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary. The GH-releasing substances are GHRH and GHS (GHRP or ghrelin), while the GH release-inhibiting substances are somatostatin (SRIF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), leptin and glucocorticoids. However, there is evidence showing that nutrition is involved in the control of the somatotropic axis. In addition, weaning is a drastic event for neonates because their alimentary and endocrine circumstances are changed due to the switch, even if gradual, from a liquid milk diet to one composed of such solids as hay and grains. The biological role of ghrelin is one of the hormonal factors that have been focused on ever since ghrelin was discovered at the end of the last century. A 27-amino acid peptide that is mainly synthesized and released from the abomasum epithelium, ghrelin has not been fully evaluated in relation to the somatotropic axis of the ruminant. It has also proven difficult even to investigate the cellular mechanisms of ghrelin action, because this hormone exerts animal-species-dependent actions via a complex set of intracellular signaling pathways. This is also the case for the action of leptin. Another substance, IGF-I, shows a partial inhibitory action on GH secretion in the ruminant. The effect of nutrition is also different among animal species. This is evident by the fact that undernutrition suppresses the circulating GH levels in rodents, but increases it in ruminants and humans. Recently, weaning has been shown to change the postprandial GH responses in ruminants; milk feeding increases, but hay and concentrate feeding suppress, the postprandial circulating GH levels. Even if the postprandial GH level is increased, the ghrelin level is decreased by milk feeding. Macronutrients also possess stimulatory and inhibitory actions on GH secretion in vivo and in vitro. These findings indicate the complexity of the control mechanisms of the somatotropic axis. In the present review, we summarize recent findings on the factors controlling the axis of the ruminant.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.82-92
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was attempted to understand the substance and meaning of menopause experienced by women through informal interviews with oral consent. The informants were 6 perimenopausal women of 50-55 years old who are executing menopause. Colaizz's analytical method, a type of phenomenological analysis, was used to analyze data recorded by audiotape. One professor and a master's degree student who understand phenomenology, and the one who has a master of arts examined the validity between the meanings composed of the clusters of themes. Findings were turned out to be valid through validation process as the last step. The meaning of menopause implied both 'concept about menopause' and 'menopause as a time of change'. Menopause was mostly considered as cessation of menstruation as a physiological, natural, and normal process by aging. However, some people regarded menopause as a loss of youth and womanhood and lessening of every function of the body. Menopause as the time of changes means 'the period of' 'hormonal changes' such as change of menstruation, hot flushes, perspiration, and palpitation ; 'body function changes' of visual acuity, physical strength, sleeping, digestion, thoughts, bone and joints, skin sensibility, sexual pattern and intelligence ; 'emotional changes' such as anxiety, loneliness, gloominess, and nervousness. Menopause is a turning point on the women's life cycle accompanying various kind of changes and health problems. Therefore it is inevitable to develop strategy helping menopausal women pass through the critical successfully by adapting and coping with their critical period toward the healthy and better quality of life individually rather than putting them all into the standardized hormonal replacement protocol.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2577-2581
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• 2014

Background: Triple negative breast cancer is associated with aggressive behavior and high risk of local and regional failure. Aggressive surgical intervention is considered suitable. This makes role of breast conserving therapy (BCT) debatable in these patients. The objective of this study was to compare outcome of BCT for triple negative versus non-triple negative breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent breast conserving therapy from 1999 to 2009 at Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and had complete receptor status information were extracted. Patients were divided into triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC. Patient characteristics, medical treatment modalities and adverse events were compared. Expected five year locoregional recurrence free, disease free and overall survival was calculated. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify independent predictors of outcome. Results: A total of 194 patients with TNBC and 443 with non-TNBC were compared. Significant difference was present for age at presentation (p<0.0001), family history (p=0.005), grade (p<0.0001) and use of hormonal therapy (p<0.0001). The number of locoregional failures, distant failures and mortalities were not significantly different. No significant difference was present in 5 year locoregional recurrence free (96% vs 92%, p=0.3), disease free (75% vs 74%, p=0.7) and overall survival (78% vs 83%, p=0.2). On multivariate analysis, tumor size, nodal involvement and hormonal treatment were independent predictors of negative events. Conclusions: Breast conserving therapy has comparable outcomes for triple negative and non-triple negative breast cancers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7381-7383
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• 2013

Background: Male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all cancer in men and only around 1% of all diagnosed breast cancer. Despite a significant raise in the last 25 years, it still remains a rare disease. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study from 2004-2011 with 21 male breast cancer patients. We aimed to analyze the epidemiologic data (age, personal and family history), tumor characteristics (size, histological type, location, TNM stage, receptors), surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and survival (relapse, follow up, death) who reffered to our center with breast cancer. Results: The median age was $49.2{\pm}14.2$ years (range 30-83 years). A family history of breast cancer was noted in four cases. The main clinical complaint was a retroareolar mass in 85.7%of patients (n=18). Histologically, 85.7% (n=18)were invasive ductal carcinoma and 4.7% (n=1) had ductal carcinoma in situ and 9.4% (n=2) had mixed histology including invasive medullary and ductal carcinoma. Hormonal therapy was delivered to 16 cases (76.1%) due to ER or PR positivity. During median follow up of 30 months (3-84 month), distant metastases were evident in 4 cases (19%). During the follow-up period, only one patient died due to metastatic disease. The mean time to recurrence detection was 30 months. Conclusions: The percentage of cases of male breast cancer is very low compared to breast cancer in females, explaining why very few investigations have been conducted in Iran. Limited coverage in the literature make gender-specific findings difficult so future research of this entity involving multi-institutional cooperation and longer follow up is essential to provide new insights about the biological and clinical factors of this rare cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.51-66
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• 1989

Mammalian cardiocytes secrete atrial natriuretic peptides (ANPs) into plasma, which cause marked natriuresis, diuresis, vasorelaxation and inhibition of hormone secretions. Aging influences the ability of the kidney both to conserve and to excrete sodium; i.e., in old animals, the excretory capacity of sodium is reduced and the time required to excrete sodium load is prolonged. Therefore, it is possible that animals differing in ages may respond differently to ANP. In the present study, we determined whether the renal, hormonal and vascular effects of ANP may be influenced by aging in conscious rabbits. The plasma renin concentration decreased with aging but plasma ANP concentration was significantly lower only in 24-month-old rabbits. Plasma aldosterone concentration and atrial ANP content did not change by aging. In 1-month-old rabbits, ANP (atriopeptin III, 3 ug/kg) administered intravenously caused hypotension and decreased in plasma renin and aldosterone concentrations, but did not cause diuresis and natriuresis. In 2 to 5 month-old rabbits, ANP caused hypotension, decreases in Plasma renin and aldosterone concentrations and marked renal effects. However, in 24-month-old rabbits, all the above effects of ANP was blunted. With hydration of physiological saline at a rate of 15 ml/kg/h for 2hr, urine volume and glomerular filtration rate did not change but the electrolyte excretion as well as fractional excretion of sodium significantly increased. The plasma concentrations of active renin and aldosterone were decreased but plasma inactive renin and ANP concentrations were increased. The changes in renal function and plasma level of hormone showed no differences in different ages. These results suggest that the peripheral vascular receptors to ANP may develop earlier than those in the kidney, and the attenuated vascular and renal responses to ANP in the old age may be due to age-related modifications in renal function and blood vessel.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients who underwent surgery followed by radiation therapy (RT). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 106 DCIS patients who underwent surgery followed by postoperative RT between 1994 and 2006. Ninety-four patients underwent breast-conserving surgery, and mastectomy was performed in 12 patients due to extensive DCIS. Postoperative RT was delivered to whole breast with 50.4 Gy/28 fx. Tumor bed boost was offered to 7 patients (6.6%). Patients with hormonal receptor-positive tumors were treated with hormonal therapy. Results: The median follow-up duration was 83.4 months (range, 33.4 to 191.5 months) and the median age was 47.8 years. Ten patients (9.4%) had resection margin <1 mm and high-grade and estrogen receptor-negative tumors were observed in 39 (36.8%) and 20 (18.9%) patients, respectively. The 7-year ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR)-free survival rate was 95.3%. Resection margin (<1 or ${\geq}1$ mm) was the significant prognostic factor for IBTR in univariate and multivariate analyses (p < 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively). Conclusion: Postoperative RT for DCIS can achieve favorable treatment outcome. Resection margin was the important prognostic factor for IBTR in the DCIS patients who underwent postoperative RT.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 2000

Background and Objectives : Hormonal treatments which have an androgenic effect have the potential to cause vocal changes. The changes in vocal fold structure and voice quality are considered to be irreversible. To date, studies have documeted subjective vocal changes or documented single cases without detailed, baseline voice assessments. Materials and Methods : We have performed objective voice analyses of 20 women who were treated with androgenic hormones for endometriosis and compared the results with those of normal control women. Results : The averages of fundamental frequency were 194.7${\pm}$28.2 in study group, 207.0${\pm}$14.1 in control group. The means of closed quotient which were measured with electroglottography were 45.13${\pm}$2.06 in study group, 45.1${\pm}$3.03 in control group. Results of acoustic analysis are as follows. The averages of jitter were 0.95${\pm}$0.46 in study group, 1.10${\pm}$0.65 in control group. The means of shimmer were 2.44${\pm}$0.60 in study group, 2.32${\pm}$1.09 in control group. The averages of noise to harmonic ratio were 0.13${\pm}$0.028 in study group, 0.15$\pm$0.18 in control group. Conclusion : Although there were no statistically meaningful differences between the two groups, we could detect the masculinizing tendency of the therapeutic hormones of endomentriosiss(lowering of fundamental frequency). Given the availability of objective voice assessments today and the continued use of these potent hormones, comprehensive voice assessment and vocal monitoring would appear vital for women commencing hormonal treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4013-4016
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• 2012

Purpose: Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy of females throughout the world with one million new cases each year. In Pakistan, the burden of breast cancer disease is high with late stage presentation being a common feature, more than half being stage III or stage IV. The objective of this study was to study various aspects, patterns and risk factors in breast cancer patients of Balochistan. Method: Present study was performed on 134 patients of breast cancer who were registered in CENAR. The patients were interviewed by providing a questionnaire. Informed consent was taken from all the patients who took part in this study after explanation of the study aims. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated andbiopsy reports were obtained from patients files. All the cases were classified with respect to age, gender, ethnic group (Baloch, Pashtoon, Punjabi, Afghani, Hazara) BMI, cancer type, cancer grade, hormonal status, side of the cancer, fertility and marital status. Results: Out of 134 patients, the most common ethnic group was Pashtoon with a total of 42 and the common age group was 41-50 years with a total of 51. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) was the most common type, accounting for in 128 patients (95.5%) followed by invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Conclusion: Pashtoon was the most common ethnic group, IDC was common type and most of the patients had an ER/PR positive hormonal status.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1111-1113
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• 2012

The ER-/PR+ breast tumor may be the result of a false ER negative result. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in patient and tumor characteristics of the ER-/PR+ phenotype in an Asian setting. A total of 2629 breast cancer patients were categorized on the basis of their age, ethnicity, tumor hormonal receptor phenotype, grade and histological type. There were 1230 (46.8%) ER+/PR+, 306 (11.6%) ER+/PR-, 122 (4.6%) ER-/PR+ and 972 (37%) ER-/PR-. ER-/PR+ tumors were 2.5 times more likely to be younger than 50 years at diagnosis (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.72-3.67). Compared to ER+/PR+ tumors, the ER-/PR+ phenotype was twice more likely to be associated with grade 3 tumors (OR:2.02; 95%CI: 1.00-4.10). In contrast, compared to ER-/PR- tumors, the ER-/PR+ phenotype was 90% less likely to be associated with a grade 3 tumor (OR: 0.12; 95%CI:0.05-0.26), and more likely to have invasive lobular than invasive ductal histology (OR: 3.66; 95%CI: 1.47-9.11). These results show that the ER-/PR+ phenotype occurs in a younger age group and is associated with intermediate histopathological characteristics compared to ER+/PR+ and ER-/PR- tumors. This may imply that it is a distinct entity and not a technical artifact.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4209-4212
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• 2016

Purpose: To study clinical factors related to adequacy of transformation zone (TZ) components in cervical smears. Materials and Methods: Medical and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear reports from Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand during January to December 2015 were collected. Demographic data was reviewed by attending physicians and impact of clinical factors onTZ adequacy was primary outcome. A total of 3,251 smears were reviewed. Finally, 2,098 smears met The inclusion criteria and enrolled into this study. Results: Average age and bodyweight of participants in this study were 43.0 years and 60.0 kg, respectively. Ninety seven percent of smears were classified as satisfactory for evaluation according to the Bethesda system 2001. Adequacy (group A) and inadequacy (group B) of TZ were equal in percentage (50.9/46.0). Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology was 4.4%. Percentages of abnormal Pap smears in group A and B were 7.3 and 1.4, respectively (p<0.001). Factors associated with increased adequacy of TZ were old-age (${\geq}50yr$), nulliparity, within 3-months postpartum, history of TZ inadequacy and abnormal smears. Sexually transmitted disease (STD), hormonal usage, previous cryotherapy and smears collected by staff were associated with inadequacy of TZ. Conclusions: Collection of cervical specimens should be carefully performed. STD history, hormonal usage and previous cryotherapy are risk factors for TZ inadequate specimens.