• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3881-3885
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify clinical predictive factors for tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: All factors were evaluated in 88 patients with LARC treated with nCRT. After a long period of 4-8 weeks of chemoradiotherapy, 3 patients achieved clinical complete response (cCR) and thus aggressive surgery was avoided, and the remaining 85 patients underwent a curative-intent operation. The response to nCRT was evaluated by tumor regression grade (TRG) system. Results: There were 32 patients (36.4%) with good tumor regression (TRG 3-4) and 56 (63.6%) with poor tumor regression (TRG 0-2). Lymphocyte counts and ratios were higher in good response cases (P=0.01, 0.03, respectively) while neutrophil ratios and N/L ratios were higher in poor response cases (P=0.04, 0.02, respectively). High lymphocyte ratios before nCRT and good tumor regression (TRG3-4) were significantly associated with improved 5-year disease-free survival (P<0.05). Pretreatment nodal status was also significantly associated with 5-year disease-free survival and 5-year overall survival (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the pretreatment lymphocyte ratio and lymph nodal status were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: Our study suggested that LARC patients with high lymphocyte ratios before nCRT would have good tumor response and high 5-year DFS and OS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3789-3795
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• 2014

This study aimed to analyze the expression, clinical significance of filamin A (FLNA) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and biological effects in a cell line by regulating FLNA expression. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to analyze FLNA protein expression in 70 cases of RCC and normal tissues to study the relationship with clinical factors. FLNA lentiviral and empty vectors were transfected into RCC to study the influence of up-regulated expression of FLNA. FLNA siRNA was transiently transfected into ACHN kidney carcinoma cells by a liposome-mediated method and protein was detected by Western blotting. The level of expression was found to be significantly lower in RCC than normal tissues (p<0.05). No correlation was noted with gender, age, tumor size or pathological types (p>0.05), but links with lymph node metastasis, clinic stage and histological grade were noted (p<0.05). Loss of FLNA expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival time by Kaplan-Meier analysis (p<0.05). Results for biological function showed that ACHN cells transfected with FLNA had a lower survival fraction, significant decrease in migration and invasion, higher cell apoptosis, higher percentage of the G0/G1 phases, and lower MMP-9 protein expression compared with ACHN cells untransfected with FLNA (p<0.05). However, renal 786-0 cells transfected with FLNA siRNA had a higher survival fraction, significant increase in migration and invasion, and higher MMP-9 protein expression compared (p<0.05). In conclusion, FLNA expression was decreased in RCC and correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, clinic stage, histological grade and poor overall survival, suggesting that FLNA may play important roles as a a tumor suppressor in RCC by promoting degradation of MMP-9.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1553-1558
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• 2015

Background: COX-2 has been shown to play an important role in the development of breast cancer and increased expression has been mooted as a poor prognostic factor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between COX-2 immunohistochemical expression and known predictive and prognostic factors in breast cancer in a routine diagnostic histopathology setting. Materials and Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour tissue of 144 no special type (NST) invasive breast carcinomas histologically diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2012 in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah were immunostained with COX-2 antibody. COX-2 overexpression was analysed against demographic data, hormone receptor status, HER2-neu overexpression, histological grade, tumour size and lymph node status. Results: COX-2 was overexpressed in 108/144 (75%) tumours and was significantly more prevalent (87%) in hormone receptor-positive tumours. There was no correlation between COX-2 overexpression and HER2/neu status. Triple negative cancers had the lowest prevalence (46%) (p<0.05). A rising trend of COX-2 overexpression with increasing age was observed. There was a significant inverse relationship with tumour grade (p<0.05), prevalences being 94%, 83% and 66% in grades 1, 2 and 3 tumours, respectively. A higher prevalence of COX-2 overexpression in smaller size tumours was observed but this did not reach statistical significance. There was no relationship between COX-2 expression and lymph node status. Conclusions: This study did not support the generally held notion that COX-2 overexpression is linked to poor prognosis, rather supporting a role in tumorigenesis. Larger scale studies with outcome data and basic studies on cancer pathogenetic pathways will be required to cast further light on whether COX-2 inhibitors would have clinical utility in cancer prevention or blockage of cancer progression. In either setting, the pathological assessment for COX-2 overexpression in breast cancers would have an important role in the selection of cancer patients for personalized therapy with COX-2 inhibitors.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.99-102
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• 2009

Objective: Cardiac dysfunction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with elevation of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnl) levels. Elevation of cTnl predicts cardiopulmonary and neurological complications, and poor outcome. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical and radiologic records of 114 (male: 30, female: 84) patients who developed aneurysmal SAH between January 2006 and June 2007 and had no history of previous cardiac problems. We evaluated their electrocardiography and cTnl level, which had been measured at admission. A cTnl level above 0.5 $\mu$g/L was defined as an indicator of cardiac injury following SAH. We examined various clinical factors for their association with cTnl elevation and analyzed data using chi-square test, t-test and logistic regression test with SPSS version 12.0. The results were considered significant at p< 0.05. Results: The following parameters shows a correlation with cTnl elevation: higher Hunt-Hess (H-H) grade (p = 0.000), poor Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score (p = 0.000), profound pulmonary complication (p = 0.043), higher heart rate during initial three days following SAH (p = 0.029), ruptured aneurysm on communicating segment of internal carotid artery (p = 0.025), incidence of vasospasm (p = 0.421), and duration of hyperdynamic therapy for vasospasm (p = 0.292). A significant determinants for outcome were cTnl elevation (p = 0.046) and H-H grade (p = 0.000) in a multivariate study. Conclusion: A cTnl is a good indicator for cardiopulmonary and neurologic complications and outcome following SAH. Consideration of variable clinical factors that related with cTnl elevation may be useful tactics for treatment of SAH and concomitant complications.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2008

This study was made to provide basic materials required to develop the program for desirable change of eating behavior which might be regarded as the aim of nutrition education. In this study, the relationship between the factors known to be affecting eating behavior like nutrition knowledge and dietary self efficacy was examined with high grade elementary students in Gangwon Province. The results are as follows; First, positive relationship was observed with significant difference(p<0.001) in the relationships between eating behavior and dietary self efficacy(r=0.465), between nutrition knowledge level and eating behavior(r=0.216) and between nutrition knowledge level and dietary self efficacy(r=0.312). Second, the ratio explaining the effect of dietary self efficacy and nutrition knowledge on eating behavior was 22.3%, and it affected in the order of significance level such that dietary self efficacy(p<0.001) and nutrition knowledge level(p<0.05). Third, the level of desirable eating behavior was consistent with the level of nutrition knowledge. And the scores of nutrition knowledge were $28.97{\pm}4.66$ for 'poor' group, $30.01{\pm}3.85$ for 'normal' group, $31.13{\pm}3.94$ for 'good' group and $31.75{\pm}4.10$ for 'excellent' group. When the scores of eating behavior was considered in accordance with the level of nutrition knowledge, there was difference between the groups with poor and normal scores and the groups with good and excellent scores(p<0.001), however, there was no difference between poor and normal group, and between good and excellent group. Fourth, it was found that dietary self efficacy affected the eating behavior level by level. The eating behavior score was $23.82{\pm}5.25$ for the poor dietary self efficacy group, $26.88{\pm}4.00$ for the normal group, $30.27{\pm}3.66$ for the good group and $32.81{\pm}3.79$ for the excellent group. It showed that as the degree of dietary self efficacy increased the degree of eating behavior increased in all four groups (p<0.001).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3589-3593
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• 2012

Objective: Evaluation and assessment of response rate, duration and toxicity in patients subjected to 5-FU based chemotherapy. Background: The therapeutic ratio shifts with different 5FU/LV regimens and none yet serve as the internationally accepted Gold Standard. A bimonthly regimen of high dose leucovorin is reported to be less toxic and more effective than monthly low dose regimens. We here compare therapeutic responses and survival benefit of the two regimens in poor prognosis patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Patients and Methods: A total of 35 patients with histologically confirmed colorectal carcinoma were subjected to de Gramont and Mayo Clinic regimen. Nineteen patients were treated with high dose folinic acid ($200mg/m^2$), glucose 5%, 5-FU ($400mg/m^2$) and 22 hr. CIV ($600mg/m^2$) for two consecutive days every two weeks. These patients had failed responses to previous chemotherapy and were above sixty years of age with poor general status. Sixteen patients (six below 60 years) with progressive disease were subjected to low dose folinic acid ($20mg/m^2$)for five days, 5FU($425mg/m^2$) injection bolus for 5 days, every five weeks. An initial evaluation was made in sixty days and responders were reevaluated at sixty days interval or earlier in case of clinical impairment. Based on positive prognosis, the therapy was continued. Evaluation of treatment response was made on the basis of WHO criteria. Results: The response rate was 44% in thirty four evaluable patients, with 4 complete responses (11.8%) and 11 (32.4%) partial responses. The two schedules were well tolerated, whereas, mild toxicity without WHO Grade ${\geq}2$ events was assessed. The response duration was extended (12 months) in a few patients with age above sixty years treated by high dose bimonthly regimen of 5FU/LV. Conclusion: The regimens are safe and effective in advanced colorectal carcinoma patients with poor general status.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-51
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• 1980

In order to research into the devel of the concept of movement and speed in our own way and compare with the Piaget's method, and then find out the formative period of such development, we have put the 192 primary school children as the model and obtained the following results. 1. As their grade upyards, all the experimental subjects showed the gradual progress generally regardless of sex or regions, while only the relative speed showed irregular progress. 2. There was no experimental subject which showed any remarkable sexual characteristics. But in the relative movement, the lower grade boys and higher grade girls made progress. In the subjects of circulation movement, intuition of speed, relative speed and speed of simultaneous movement, the boys marked better progress, whilst the girls were advanced a little in the speed of continuous movement with, different distance and time. 3. There was no conspicuous difference between the urban and rural areas, except a slight tendency that the urban children made better progress in the change of progressing direction, native continuous procedure of periodical movement, travelling road, and the speed of continuous movement with different distance and time whereas the rural children were more advanced in the relative movement, relative speed and intuition of speed. But it should be 'taken into consideration that the rural regions in our case were relatively developed in comparison with the traditional rural communities, which may explain about little regional difference. 4. Comparing our research results with the Piaget's theory, we have reached below results. Our research reports that the formative period of the conception of the problems of diverse progressing direction and a native continuous procedure of periodical movement was simultaneous, at the Piagetian level(at the fourth grade) which coincides with Piagetian theory. The travelling road should be made up a little lower at 2A/2B according' to Piagetian Level, whereas it was formed at the 4th grade as shown in our previous research. Intuition of speed should belong to the prior stage to concrete operation, but our research shows it was formed late at the 4th grade. Composition of displacement was made at the 6th grade, and it was almost equal to the first stage of formal operation(3A). But in the subjects of relative movement relative speed, the speed of continuous movement with different distance and time, relation and preservation of invariable speed, and accelerated motion, even 6th grade children marked a poor record. Summed up, the procedure conception as a basic movement conception coincides with the Piagetion level. But as for speed intuition, relative speed and speed fixation, it was Jar behind Piagetian level. Therefore it is required that we have to concentrate on the systematic training in these parts on the spot.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.133-146
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• 1986

Primary uraninite and secondary uranium minerals such as torbernite, metatorbernite, tyuyamunite, metatyuyamunite, autunite and metaautunite have been identified from various types of uranium ores. Uranium minerals occur as accessory minerals in both the primary and secondary ores. Low·grade uranium ores consist of various kinds of primary and secondary minerals. Major constituent minerals of primary uranium ores are graphite. quartz. Ba-feldspar and sericite/muscovite, and accessories are calcite, chlorite, fluorapatite, barite, diopside, sphene, rutile, biotite, laumontite, heulandite, pyrite, sphalerite and chalcopyrite, and secondary minerals consist of kaolinite, gypsum and goethite. Uraninite grains occur as microscopic very fine-grained anhedral to euhedral disseminated particles in the graphitic matrix, showing well·stratified or zonal distribution of uranium on auto-radiographs of low-grade uranium ores. Some uraninite grains are closely associated with very fine-grained pyrite aggregates, showing an elliptical form parallel to the schistosity. Some uraninite grains include extremely fine-grained pyrite particle. Sphalerite and pyrite are often associated with uraninite in graphite-fluorapatite nodule. The size of uraninite is $2{\mu}m$ to $20{\mu}m$ in diameter. Low-grade uranium ores are classified into 5 types on the basis of geometrical pattern of mineralization. They are massive, banded, nodular, quartz or sulfide veinlet-rich and cavity filling types. Well-developed alternation of uranium-rich and uranium-poor layers, concentric distribution of uranium in graphite-fluorapatite nodule and geopetal fabrics due to the load cast of the nodule suggest that the uranium was originally deposited syngenetically. Uraninite crystals might have been formed from organo-uranium complex during diagenesis and recrystallized by metamorphism. Secondary uranium minerals such as torbernite, tyuyamunite and autunite have been formed by supergene leaching of primary ores and subsequent crystallization in cavities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1333-1337
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• 2014

Background: Astrocytic tumors, the most common primary glial tumors of the central nervous system, are classified from low to high grade according to the degree of anaplasia and presence of necrosis. Despite advances in therapeutic management of high grade astrocytic tumors, prognosis remains poor. In the present study, the frequency and prognostic significance of c-erb-B2 in astrocytic tumors was investigated. Materials and Methods: Records of 72 patients with low- and high-grade astrocytic tumors were evaluated. The expression of C-erbB-2 was determined immunohistochemically and intensity was recorded as 0 to 3+. Tumors with weak staining (1+) or no staining (0) were considered Her-2 negative, while tumors with moderate (2+) and strong (3+) staining were considered Her-2 positive. Results: Of the 72 patients, 41 (56.9%) had glioblastoma (GBM), 10 (13.9%) had diffuse astrocytoma, 15 (20.8%) had anaplastic astrocytoma, 6 (8.3%) had pilocytic astrocytoma. C-erbB-2 overexpression was detected in the tumor specimens of 17 patients (23.6%). Six (8.3%) tumors, all GBMs, exhibited strong staining, 2 (2.7%) specimens, both GBMs, exhibited moderate staining, and 9 specimens, 5 of them GBMs (12.5%), exhibited weak staining. No staining was observed in diffuse astrocytoma and pilocytic astrocytoma specimens. Median overall survival of patients with C-erbB-2 negative and C-erbB-2 positive tumors were 30 months (95%CI: 22.5-37.4 months) and 16.9 months (95%CI: 4.3-29.5 months), respectively (p=0.244). Conclusions: Although there was no difference in survival, C-erbB-2 overexpression was observed only in the GBM subtype.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.219-230
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• 2004

The aims of this study are to construct database using geostatistics and Geographic Information System (GIS), and to derive the spatial relationships between manganese nodule abundance and each factor affecting nodule abundance, such as metal grade, slope, aspect, water depth, topography, and acoustic characteristics of the subbottom using the GIS and probability methods. The greater is the copper and nickel grade, the higher is the rating. The distribution pattern of nickel grade is similar to that of copper grade. The slopes are generally less than $3^{\circ}$, excluding seamounts and cliff areas. There is no increment in the rating with increasing slope. The rating is highest for slopes between 2.5 and $3.5^{\circ}$ in block B2 and between 3 and $6^{\circ}$ in block C1. The topography is classified into five groups: seamount, hill crest, hill slant, hill base or plain, and seafloor basin or valley. The ratings prove lowest for seamount and hill crest. The results of the study show a decrease in the rating with an increase in water depth in the study area. There was a poor relationship between manganese nodule abundance and the thickness of the upper transparent layer in block C1. Using GIS, it is possible to analyze a large amount of data efficiently, and to maximize the practical application, to increase specialization, and to enhance the accuracy of the analyses.