• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1069-1076
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• 2017

Recently, with the development of advanced medical technology and the introduction of most advanced medical equipments, life expectancy increases accordingly. Many people want to live long-lived in health. Therefore, if it is possible to pre-diagnose the sub-health condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan, we can prevent the disease and reduce social expenditure costs. In this study, we statistically analyzed the data in responding to each questionnaire for healthy biorhythm and sub-health among targeted members of a specific group. The analysis for the effects of healthy biorhythm to male and female showed that there was a significant difference between male and female. In the analysis of the effects of the conditions of healthy biorhythm to the 10 sub-health indicators, the significant effects of good and bad condition has been observed. The results of the decision tree analysis showed that all the respondents with poor hormone and urological sub-health status have bad healthy biorhythms. In summary, in this paper we have shown that it may be possible to improve the sub-health condition and prevent disease in advance if the healthy biorhythm is well controlled.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7445-7449
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the one of the most common cancers in women. It is also a leading cause of death. Unfortunately, some patients initially present with distant metastases and are diagnosed with stage IV disease that is nearly always, by then, incurable. This retrospective analysis investigated the risk factors for stage IV BC that may underlie such late presentation. Materials and Methods: In all, 916 patients with BC who visited the medical oncology polyclinic of eight different centres in Turkeybetween December 2011 and January 2013 were analysed. Results: A total of 115 patients (12.6%) presented with stage IV disease. In univariate analysis; to comparing these with patients at other stages, no statistical difference was found for median diagnosis age or age at menarche (p=0.611 and p=0.820), whereas age at menopause and age at first live birth were significant (p=0.018 and p=0.003). No difference was detected in terms of accompanying diseases, use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, smoking, alcohol consumption and the rate of family history of BC between the patients (p=0.655, p=0.389, p=0.762, p=0.813, p=0.229, p=0.737). However, screening methods were employed less often, the rate of illiteracy was higher, and the rate of other cancers was higher in patients with stage IV BC (p=0.022, p=0.022, p=0.018). No statistical difference was observed between the patients in terms of tumour histopathology, and status of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor-2 receptor (p=0.389, p=0.326, p=0.949, p=0.326). Grade 3 tumours were more frequent in patients with stage IV disease (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, risk factors for stage IV breast cancer at the time of presentation were found to be age at first live birth and educational level (p=0.003 and p=0.047). Conclusions: Efforts should be made to perform mammography scans, in particular, at regular intervals through national training programs for all women, particularly those with family histories of breast and other types of cancer, and to establish early diagnosis of BC long before it proceeds to stage IV. Additionally, women's education had better be upgraded. In order to make women aware of BC, national education-programmes must be organised.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.222-227
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate prognostic factors for survival from first relapse (SFFR) in stage I-III breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: From June 1994 to June 2008, 3,835 patients were treated with surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for stage I-III breast cancer at Samsung Medical Center. Among them, a total of 224 patients died by June 2009, and 175 deaths were of breast cancer. Retrospective review was performed on medical records of 165 patients who met the inclusion criteria of this study. Univariate and multivariate analysis were done on survivals according to variables, such as age, stage, hormone status of tumor, disease-free interval (DFI), sites of first failure, number of organs involved by recurrent disease (NOR), application of salvage treatments, and existence of brain or liver metastasis (visceral metastasis). Results: Patients' median overall survival time was 38 months (range, 8 to 123 months). Median SFFR was 17 months (range, 5 to 87 months). Ninety percent of deaths occurred within 40 months after first recurrence. The patients with SFFR ${\leq}1$ year had tendency of triple-negativity, shorter DFI (${\leq}2$ years), larger NOR (>3), visceral metastasis for first relapse than the patients with SFFR >1 year. In multivariate analysis, longer DFI (>2 vs. ${\leq}2$ years), absence of visceral metastasis, and application of salvage treatments were statistically significant prognosticators for longer SFFR. Conclusion: The DFI, application of salvage treatments, and visceral metastasis were significant prognostic factors for SFFR in breast cancer patients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.595-606
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• 2018

Objective: The Fusarium mycotoxins of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zerolenone (ZEN) cause health hazards for both humans and farm animals. Therefore, the main intention of this study was to reveal DON and ZEN effects on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immune related genes in the liver of piglets. Methods: In the present study, 15 six-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to the following three different dietary treatments for 4 weeks: control diet, diet containing 8 mg DON/kg feed, and diet containing 0.8 mg ZEN/kg feed. After 4 weeks, liver samples were collected and sequenced using RNA-Seq to investigate the effects of the mycotoxins on genes and gene networks associated with the immune systems of the piglets. Results: Our analysis identified a total of 249 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which included 99 upregulated and 150 downregulated genes in both the DON and ZEN dietary treatment groups. After biological pathway analysis, the DEGs were determined to be significantly enriched in gene ontology terms associated with many biological pathways, including immune response and cellular and metabolic processes. Consistent with inflammatory stimulation due to the mycotoxin-contaminated diet, the following Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways, which were related to disease and immune responses, were found to be enriched in the DEGs: allograft rejection pathway, cell adhesion molecules, graft-versus-host disease, autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), type I diabetes mellitus, human T-cell leukemia lymphoma virus infection, and viral carcinogenesis. Genome-wide expression analysis revealed that DON and ZEN treatments downregulated the expression of the majority of the DEGs that were associated with inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 10 receptor, beta, chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligand 9), proliferation (insulin-like growth factor 1, major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2, lipase G, and salt inducible kinase 1), and other immune response networks (paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor beta, Src-like-adaptor-1 [SLA1], SLA3, SLA5, SLA7, claudin 4, nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, thyrotropin-releasing hormone degrading enzyme, ubiquitin D, histone $H_2B$ type 1, and serum amyloid A). Conclusion: In summary, our results demonstrated that high concentrations DON and ZEN disrupt immune-related processes in the liver.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.264-270
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• 2017

Brassinosteroid (BR), a plant steroid hormone, plays a critical role in the growth and developmental processes through its canonical signaling and crosstalk with various internal and external signaling pathways. Recent studies have revealed the essential interplay mechanisms between BR and ABA during seed germination and early seedling establishment. However, molecular mechanisms for this important signaling crosstalk are largely unknown. To understand the crosstalk between BR-mediated signaling pathways and ABA functions during early seedling development, we carried out a comparative genome-wide transcriptome analysis with an Agilent Arabidopsis $4{\times}44K$ oligo chip. We selected and compared the expression patterns of ABA response genes in ABA-insensitive bes1-D mutant with wild type seedlings on which ABA was exogenously applied. As a result, we identified 2,353 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ABA-treated bes1-D and wild type seedlings. GO enrichment analysis revealed that ABA signaling, response, and metabolism were critically down-regulated by BR-activated signaling pathways. In addition, the genome-wide transcriptome analysis data revealed that BR-regulated signaling pathways were tightly connected to diverse signal cues including abiotic/biotic stress, auxin, ROS etc. In this study, we newly identified the molecular mechanisms of BR-mediated repression of ABA signaling outputs. Also, our data suggest that interplay among diverse signaling pathways is critical for the adaptive response of the plant to various environmental factors.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.82-92
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• 2005

Objective : To evaluate the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, levels of pros and cons and stages of change in Pap testing for uterine cervical cancer. Methods : A questionnaire survey was performed on 560 randomly sampled people who were assigned to participate in a Pap testing program by the National Cancer Screening Project in 2003' between 25 September and 10 October in Gyeonggi, Korea. Data about the behaviors and intentions of Pap testing, sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and levels of acknowledged benefit (pros) and barrier (cons) for Pap testing was collected. The stages of change were grouped according to behaviors and intentions of Pap testing as passive, active, and relapse. Results : Logistic analysis between the passive and active groups showed that city dwellers, 'high' and 'middle' groups in terms of the individual s health belief, those who had undergone a health examination within the past 2 years, and those who had undergone hormone replacement therapy had a higher odds ratios to be in the active group. As the 'benefit' scores increased and the 'Unnecessity' scores decreased, the probabilities to be in the active group increased. According to the logistic analysis results between the active and relapse groups, those who were 60 years or older, members of the National Heath Insurance, and those who had not undergone a health examination within the past 2 years had a higher odds ratio to be in the relapse group. The 'Benefit' scores were not significant in this relationship. The probabilities of being in the relapse group increased as the Unnecessity and 'Shamefulness' scores increased. Conclusions : In conclusion, health planners should inform women in the passive group of the benefits and necessity of Pap testing. It would be better to reduce the barriers to the active group of undergoing Pap smear. This study might be a useful guide for future planning of Pap testing program.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2003

Background: Body weight is an important factor that influence the bone density in postmenopausal women except estrogen dificiency. However, different results are reported about the relationship between body composition and bone density in the postmenopausal women. We have studied the relationship between age, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), muscle mass, fat mass, fat free mass and bone density. Materials and Methods: We have studied 127 persons of postmenopausal women who visited university medical center and examined the inbody 3.0 and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) from Jan, 2001 to Jun, 2002. they didn't have any disease and didn't received hormone therapy, osteoporosis therapy or other medication that influence the bone density. Results: The numbers of study subjects is total 127 persons. Mean age is $56.9{\pm}5.14$, mean weight is $59.3{\pm}8.7kg$, mean BMI is $25.37{\pm}3.16(kg/m^2)$, mean fat mass is $20.02{\pm}5.05kg$, mean muscle mass is $37.49{\pm}4.50kg$, mean fat free mass is $39.80{\pm}4.70$, mean BMD is $0.828{\pm}0.148(g/cm^2$). In the result of linear regression analysis, age, height, weight, muscle mass, fat free mass, fat mass, BMI are significant determinants of BMD. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, age is the most significant determinant of BMD and besides age, fat free mass is the most significant determinant of BMD among body composition. Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, age, height, weight, BMI, muscle mass, fat free mass, fat mass are significant determinants of BMD and besides age, fat free mass is the most significant determinant of BMD among the body composition. So, diet and exercise that increase fat free mass will contribute to bone density increment.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.10.1-10.8
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• 2016

Objectives Aromatase inhibitors that block estrogen synthesis are a proven first-line hormonal therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer. Although it is known that standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761) induces anti-carcinogenic effects like the aromatase inhibitors, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis have not been studied yet. Therefore, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis and aromatase activity was studied using a H295R cell model, which was a good in vitro model to predict effects on human adrenal steroidogenesis. Methods Cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and $17{\beta}$-estradiol were evaluated in the H295R cells by competitive enzyme-linked immunospecific assay after exposure to EGb761. Real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate effects on critical genes in steroid hormone production, specifically cytochrome P450 (CYP11/ 17/19/21) and the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases ($3{\beta}$-HSD2 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1/4). Finally, aromatase activities were measured with a tritiated water-release assay and by western blotting analysis. Results H295R cells exposed to EGb761 (10 and $100{\mu}g/mL$) showed a significant decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone, but no change in aldosterone or cortisol. Genes (CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1) related to the estrogen steroidogenesis were significantly decreased by EGb761. EGb761 treatment of H295R cells resulted in a significant decrease of aromatase activity as measured by the direct and indirect assays. The coding sequence/Exon PII of CYP19 gene transcript and protein level of CYP19 were significantly decreased by EGb761. Conclusions These results suggest that EGb761 could regulate steroidogenesis-related genes such as CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1, and lead to a decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone. The present study provides good information on potential therapeutic effects of EGb761 on estrogen dependent breast cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.140-151
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• 2002

This study was carried to identify whether acupuncture at several meridian points can affect the human anesthesia or not through the analysis of serum intermediates, such as, melatonin, serotonin, TSH, cortisol in human serum. We investigated the effect of accupuncture on the change of serum intermediates which have frequently been made a subject of discussion owing to its hyponic and sedative properties in practice. The result obtained were as follow ; 1. Serum melatonin levels was hardly affected at 40 minutes after general acupuncture on Hab-Gog, Nae-Gwan, and the other meridian points as compared with that($5.64{\pm}1.02pg/ml$) of resting control group. But on day 1 after acupuncture, these tend to increase significantly ($7.95{\pm}2.05pg/ml$ to $8.21{\pm}1.57pg/ml$, p <0.05). On the other hand, control group under sleep showed the serum level of $7.39{\pm}1.03pg/ml$. Additional acupuncture at In-Dang induced the increased melatonin level, especially at 40minutes after acupuncture(p <0.05). 2. Serotonin level in resting control serum recorded $51.14{\pm}8.17{\mu}g/ml$. Acupuncture at determined meridian point intend to increase average level of serotonin, but not significant. However observation on day 1 after acupuncture at Hab-Gwan meridian point and under sleeping showed the significantly increased serotonin level, $74.05{\pm}35.83{\mu}g/ml$, $70.44{\pm}13.08{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. 3. TSH level in intact human serum recorded $0.85{\pm}0.24{\mu}IU/ml$. and the serum exposed to acupuncture showed the irregular pattern of TSH level in a mean range of $0.76{\pm}0.44{\mu}IU/ml$ to $1.06{\pm}0.38{\mu}IU/ml$, regardless of meridian point or time after acupuncture. 4. The values of serum cortisol in control group were $11.76{\pm}2.06{\mu}g/dl$ in resting, $7.51{\pm}2.85{\mu}/dl$ under sleep, respectively. The level of serum cortisol in 40minutes after acupuncture was markedly (p <0.05) reduced to the serum levels of $5.65{\pm}2.58{\mu}g/dl$ (Hab-Gog, Nae-Gwan), $7.58{\pm}3.21{\mu}g/dl$ (Gyo-Gam, Sin-Mun besides Hab-Gog, Nae-Gwan), $6.43{\pm}3.54{\mu}g/dl$ (In-Dang besides to Hab-Gog, Nae-Gwan), respectively, as compared with control, intending to increase a little on day 1 after acupuncture. From the above results, the analysis of serum intermediates suggest that acupunctuation at meridian points applied to at this study act upon the phase of light anaesthesia or hypnosis, at the same time affect pituitary-adrenal axis rather than hypothalamus-pituitary axis in the secretary system of hormone and also don't affect dorsal-raphe nucleus according to the observation of change transition in serum intermediates, such as TSH, serotonin, and cortisol.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2003

Objectives: Bok, Bcl-2-related ovarian killer, is a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein identified in the ovary based on its dimerization with the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1. The present study examined the hormonal regulation and localization of Bok messenger RNA levels in the mouse ovary during the follicle development. Methods: The animals were implanted subcutaneously with Silastic brand capsules containing the synthetic estrogen, DES at $21{\sim}23$ days of age. Ovaries were collected $1{\sim}3$ days after implantation for RNA analysis and in situ hybridization. Some mice were removed capsule for $1{\sim}2$ days to induce ovarian follicle apoptosis. Ovaries were also collected from 26 day-old immature mice at various times after treatment with 10 IU PMSG. Some mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of 10 IU hCG to induce ovulation, and ovaries were obtained at different time intervals for Northern blot and in situ hybridization analysis, respectively. Results: Treatment of immature mice with diethylstilbestrol (DES) for $24{\sim}48$ h increased ovarian Bok mRNA levels. Bok mRNA was remained the same levels in mice removed DES for $24{\sim}48$ h to induce apoptosis. High signals of Bok mRNA after DES treatment were detected in granulosa cells of early antral follicles. Treatment of immature mice with PMSG for 12 h increased markedly ovarian Bok mRNA expression which was detected mainly in preantral and atretic follicles. Interestingly, low levels of Bok mRNA were also expressed in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. Treatment of PMSGprimed mice with hCG stimulated strongly ovarian Bok mRNA expression at $6{\sim}9$ h. At that time, Bok mRNA was expressed in granulosa cells of atretic and small growing follicles. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Bok is one of proapoptotic Bcl-2 members expressed in early growing and atretic follicles during the ovarian follicular development. Gonadotropins induce a transient increase of Bok gene expression in granulosa cells of preantral and preovulatory follicles indicating some role in the ovulatory process.