• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5095-5099
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• 2013

Background: The overall incidence of breast cancer in South Asian countries, including Nepal, is low compared to Western countries. However, the incidence of breast cancer among young women is relatively high. Breast cancer in such cases is characterized by a relatively unfavorable prognosis and unusual pathological features. The aim of this study was to investigate clinico-pathological and biological characteristics in younger breast cancer patients (<40 years) and compare these with their older counterparts. Materials and Methods: Nine hundred and forty four consecutive female breast cancer patients, admitted to the Department of Surgery, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal between November 1997 and October 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Out of the 944 female breast cancer patients, 263 (27.9%) were <40 years. The mean age was $34.6{\pm}5.0$ years among younger patients compared to $54.1{\pm}9.9$ for those ${\geq}40$ years. The mean age at menarche was also significantly lower ($13.5{\pm}1.5$ vs $14.2{\pm}1.5$ years p=0.001) while the mean duration of symptoms was significantly longer (7.6 vs 6.5 months p=0.004). Family history of breast cancer was evident in 3.0% of the young women versus 0.3% in the older one. Mammography was performed less frequently in younger patients (59.7%), compared to older (74.4%), and was of diagnostic benefit in only 20% of younger patients compared to 85% of older ones. At diagnosis, the mean tumor diameter was significantly larger in young women ($5.0{\pm}2.5$ vs $4.5{\pm}2.4cm$, p=0.005). Axillary lymph nodes were positive in 73% of younger patients and 59% of older patients. In the younger group, the proportion of stage III or IV disease was higher (55.1% vs 47.1%, $p{\leq}0.05$). The proportion of breast conserving surgery was higher in young patients (25.1% vs 8.7%) and a higher proportion of younger patients receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (9.9% vs 2.8%). The most common histological type was ductal carcinoma (93.1% vs 86%). The proportion of histological grade II or III was higher in younger patients (55.9% vs 24.5%). Similarly, in the younger group, lymphatic and vascular invasion was more common (63.2% vs 34.3% and 39.8% vs 25.4%, respectively). Patients in the younger age group exhibited lower estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positivity (34.7% vs 49.8%). Although statistically not significant, the proportion of triple negative tumors in younger age group was higher (22.4% vs 13.6%). Conclusions: Breast cancer in young Nepalese women represents over one quarter of all female breast cancers, many being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Tumors in young women exhibit more aggressive biological features. Hence, breast cancer in young women is worth special attention for earlier detection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3805-3809
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• 2014

Background: In Mexico, breast cancer (BCa) is the leading type of cancer in women. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is a superfamily of major oxidative enzymes that metabolize carcinogens and many antineoplastic drugs. In addition, these enzymes have influence on tumor development and tumor response to therapy. In this report, we analyzed the protein expression in patients with BCa and in healthy women. Links with some clinic-pathological characteristic were also assessed. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on 48 sets of human breast tumors and normal breast tissues enrolled in Hospital Militar de Especialidades de la Mujer y Neonatologia and Hospital Central Militar, respectively, during the time period from 2010 to 2011. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Statistical analysis was performed using ${\chi}^2$ or Fisher exact tests to estimate associations and the Mann Whitney U test for comparison of group means. Results: We found a significant CYP3A4 overexpression in BCa stroma and gland regions in comparison with healthy tissue. A significant association between protein expression with smoking, alcoholism and hormonal contraceptives use was also observed. Additionally, we observed estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positive association in BCa. Conclusions: We suggest that CYP3A4 expression promotes BCa development and can be used in the prediction of tumor response to different treatments. One therapeutic approach may thus be to block CYP3A4 function.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2007

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of superovulation response and efficiency of embryo production induced with injection of FSH dissolved in polyethylene glycol (PEG) in Hanwoo. Eighty-eight cows were divided into four groups. In group 1, cattle were intramuscularly treated with twice-daily administration of 50mg FSH for 4 days. Group 2 and 3 were subcutaneously single injection of 400mg and 200mg FSH dissolved in 30% PEG, respectively. Group 4 were subcutaneously single injection of 200 mg FSH dissolved in 30% PEG at 7 day after CIDR insertion. The number of corpus luteum (CL) in group 2 resulted in significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to group 1, 3 and 4 (18.5 vs. 11.2, 13.1 and 13.9, respectively). However, the number of total ova $(7.9{\sim}10.4)$, transferable embryos $(3.7{\sim}4.7)$, degenerate embryos $(1.9{\sim}3.5)$ and unfertilized ova $(1.8{\sim}2.7)$ did not differ among treatment groups. No difference was observed in pregnancy rate after transferring the recovered embryos among groups $(36.0{\sim}50.0%)$. In addition, blood progesterone concentrations at embryo recovery did not differ among all groups. In conclusion, although no differences were observed in the number of total ova, transferable embryos and pregnancy rate after transfer, a single injection of reduced dose of FSH (200mg FSH) at 7 day after CIDR insertion is more practical for superovulation treatments than frequent injection because of reduction of stress in Hanwoo and decreases of cost and laber.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7533-7537
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer type, and the leading cause of death from cancer among women in Israel. The Bedouin-Arab (BA) population in southern Israel is characterized by a high rate of consanguinity, common hereditary disorders, and transition from a semi-nomadic, traditional society to a more sedentary and urbanized society. In this hospital-based study, the demographic and the clinicopathological characteristics of BC in BA were compared with Jewish patients. Materials and Methods: 85 BA patients treated at the Soroka Medical Center, Beer Sheba, during the years 2004-2012, were studied and compared with 180 consecutive Jewish patients treated during the year 2007. Clinicopathological features compared included age, menopausal state, number of births, a history of BC in first-degree relatives, tumor size (T), extent of lymph-node involvement (N), distant metastases (M), stage, grade, estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER/PR), and Her2 status. Types of treatment, relapse rate and site, as well as outcome were also studied. Cox's regression models were applied for studying disease-free, and overall survival. Results: Compared with Jewish patients, BA patients were younger (average age $49{\pm}12$ yrs vs $59{\pm}13$, p<0.001), had a lower rate of BC in first-degree relatives (p<0.001), and a larger number of births ($6{\pm}4.2$ vs $2.5{\pm}1.9$, p<0.001). BA patients had larger tumors (p=0.02), more extensive lymph-node involvement (p=0.002), and more advanced stage (p=0.003). Grade, ER, PR, and Her2 status were similar in the two ethnic groups. Relapse type was most commonly systemic in BA patients (p=0.05), and loco-regional in Jewish patients (p=0.02). Median survival was 63, and 35 months for Jewish and BA patients, respectively (log-rank test, p=0.02). In Cox multivariate analysis, stage and PR status (HR-0.14, p<0.0001; HR-3.11, p=0.046), but not ethnicity, influenced overall survival. Conclusions: BC presents a decade earlier, and with more advanced disease in BA compared with Jewish patients. Biologic parameters including grade, ER, PR, and Her2 status were similar in both groups. Although prognosis was worse in BA than in Jewish patients, it was affected only by stage and PR status, but not by ethnicity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.459-462
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• 2012

Expression of estrogen-receptor (ER), progesterone-receptor (PR) and HER-2 has recently been linked with various breast cancer subtypes identified by gene microarray. This study aimed to document breast cancer subtypes based on ER, PR and HER-2 status in Thai women, where expression of these subtypes may not be similar to those evident in Western women. During 2009 to 2010, histological findings from 324 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) at Siriraj Hospital were studied. Various subtypes of IDC were identified according to expression of ER, PR and HER-2: luminal-A (ER+;PR+/-;HER-2-), luminal-B (ER+;PR+/-;HER-2 +), HER-2 (ER-;PR- ;HER-2+) and basal-like (ER-;PR-;HER-2-). As well, associations of tumor size, tumor grade, nodal status, angiolymphatic invasion (ALI), multicentricity and multifocality with different breast cancer subtypes were studied. Of 324 IDCs, 143 (44.1%), 147 (45.4%), 15 (4.6%) and 12 (3.7%) were T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Most tumors were grade 2 (54.9%) and had no nodal involvement (53.4%). According to ER, PR and HER-2 status, 192 (59.3%), 40 (12.3%), 43 (13.3%) and 49 (15.1%) tumors were luminal-A, luminal-B, HER-2 and basal-like subtypes. HER-2 subtype presented with large tumor (p=0.04, ANOVA). Luminal-A IDC was associated with single foci (p<0.01, ${\chi}^2$). HER-2 and basal-like subtypes were likely to have high tumor grade (p<0.01, ${\chi}^2$). In addition, HER-2 subtype had higher number of nodal involvement (p=0.048, ${\chi}^2$). In conclusion, the luminal-A subtype accounted for the majority of IDCs in Thai women. Percentages of HER-2 and basal-like IDCs were high, compared with a recent study from the USA. The HER-2 subtype was related with high nodal invasion. The findings may highlight biological differences between IDCs occurring in Asian and Western women.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding Bupleurum falcatum L.(BFL) on performance, blood component and hormonal secretion in broiler breeder hens. A total of 800 broiler breeder hens were allotted to four treatments(BFL ; 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0%) with four replications for eight weeks. Weight gain was not significantly different between the groups in growing period($20{\sim}24$ weeks), but egg production and egg mass of broiler breeder hens fed BFL were significantly(p<0.05) higher than those of the control groups in laying period($24{\sim}28$ weeks). Dietary BFL did not affect serum triglyceride concentration, whereas serum cholesterol concentration was significantly increased(p<0.05) in 2.0% BFL-fed groups. No statistical differences were found in serum glucose, Ca, P, Mg, total protein, albumin, GGT, AST, ALT and BUN concentrations. However, albumin/globulin ratio was statistically higher in BFL-fed groups compared to the control groups(p<0.05). Serum estrogen concentrations were significantly increased by feeding a diet containing 0.5% BFL, but progesterone were not influenced. Serum IGF-I of BFL groups was greater than that of control groups at 28 weeks(p<0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that the dietary addition of BFL into broiler breeder diets improved egg production, serum estrogen and IGF-I concentration, and decreased serum cholesterol concentration and albumin/globulin ratio.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 1995

A on-off study was designed to evaluate the effects of addition of transdermal esrtradiol to tricyclic antidepressants on depression level, vasomotor symptom(hot flush), sexual functions and hormonal status, plasma 5-hydroxyindoleascetic acid(5-HIAA) level in postmenopausal women with depression. Plasma level of estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH, prolactin and 5-HIAA was measured by Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay and HPLC(High Performance Liquid Chromatography). To asses their symptoms, the BDI(Beck Depression Inventory) and modified symptom scale, extracted from women's health questionnaire were used. Depression score, sexual function score were decreased by the last 4-weeks of addition of transdermal estradiol to antidepressant treatment, not Significant, but vasomotor symptom (hot flushes) score was decreased significantly(p<0.05) by the last 4-weeks of the given treatment. Thus, during addition of transdermal estradiol to antidepressants treatment, only vasomotor symptom(hot flushes) was improved significantly, but depression level was not changed in postmenopausal women with depression. Plasma FSH, estradiol and prolactin level was not changed in postmenopausal women with depression. Plasma FSH, estradiol and prolactin levels were increased by the last 4-weeks of the treatment. There were not significant correlations between clinical symptoms and plasma hormonal status and 5-HIAA level in baseline. After the last 4-weeks of transdermal estradiol treatment, the change of depression score was correlated significantly with change of serum prolactin and 5-HIAA level and the change of vasomotor symptom score was correlated significantly with the change of plasma prolactin level.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 1990

To study the follicular atretic mechanism in mammalian ovary, the medium-sized (3.0-6.0mm) follicles of porcine ovary were morphologically classified as nonnal and atretic. Steroid concentrations in the follicular fluid were analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the proteins in that fluid were electrophoretically separated. Concentrations of progesterone in the atretic follicular fluid of follicular phases were higher than those of normal ones (p < 0.05). Concentrations of testosterone were high in normal luteal and atretic follicular-phases follicles. The concentrations of estradiol remained significanily lower in atretic follicular-phases follicles than normal. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of follicular fluid proteins, four kinds of proteins (20K, 32K, 33K, 38K) were detected, and those proteins were not present in sera. According to the ovarian cycle, proteins of MW of 112K and 141K were identified. In atretic follicular fludies, MW of 23K and 24K were specifically detected. From the above results, we can conclude that, as ovarian cycle changes, steroid contents and protein composition in atretic follicular fluid are different from the normal developing follicular fluid. To further understand the physiologic roles of the proteins present in the atretic follicular fluids, these proteins need to be characterized and identified.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 1991

To investigate the factors that affect the fertilization and cleavage rates of mature oocytes, 44 patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) with FSH/hMG/hCG regimen for IVF - ET were analyzed. During follicular phase, serum LH levels were measured by radioimmunoassay and bioassay. Based on the mean follicular immunoactive LH(i-LH) and bioactive LH(b-LH) levels, patients were divided into 3 groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in basal serum FSH levels on menstrual cycle day 3, serum estradiol($E_2$) and progesterone ($P_4$) levels on the day of hCG administration, and the numbers of follicles aspirated and oocytes retrieved among groups. In relation to the mean follicular i-LH levels, the fertilization and cleavage rates of mature oocytes did not show a significant difference among groups. However, in groups with higher mean follicular b-LH levels, the fertilization and cleavage rates were reduced significantly. During late follicular phase, day-to-day variance in b-LH levels was not significant, but there was a significant difference among groups. There was no significant correlation between serum P. and b-LH levels. These data suggest that the fertilization and cleavage rates of mature oocytes are adversely affected by the raised mean follicular b-LH levels, and monitoring of serum b-LH levels is more useful in COH when compared with i-LH. It appears that the reduced rates are not due to the attenuated endogenous LH surge.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2002

This study was carried out to assess the effect of superovulation response and quality of embryos recovered from donor cows after a single subcutaneous injection of FSH dissolved in polyethylene glycol (PEG). Cows were allocated into control and 3 experimental treatment groups. In control, cows were injected intramuscularly 50 mg FSH twice daily for 4 days. Group 1 were injected subcutaneously with a single dose of 400 mg FSH dissolved in 30% PEG solution. Group 2 were injected subcutaneously with a single dose of 200 mg FSH dissolved in 30% PEG solution. Finally in group 3, cows were injected twice 200 mg FSH dissolved in 30% PEG solution by subcutaneous. Superovulation was initiated by injection of FSH between Day 8 and 14 of the estrus cycle (Day 0, the day of estrus), and followed by injection of 25 mg PGF$_2$$\alpha$ at 48 h after first FSH injection. Cows were then artificially inseminated (AI) with semen twice at 48 and 60 h after PGF$_2$$\alpha$ injection. At 7 days after the second AI, embryos collected non-surgically by flushing the uterine horns and were counted and compared morphologically as being transferable and degenerated among different superovulation treatments. Furthermore, progesterone and estradiol -17 $\beta$ in plasma were measured by radioimmunoassay following different treatments at given days All cows of treated groups were observed heat. but control group was showed 77.8%. Superovulation response was observed as 77.8, 87.5, 88.9, and 100% in control, Groups 1, 2 and 3 The mean number of corpus lutea (CL) detected in Group 1 were 19.6, which was, respectively significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of other groups (11.1, 13.4 and 7.6, respectively). However, there did not differ on the mean number of total embryos recovered and of transferable embryos between control and treated groups.