• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to compare the dietary habits, nutrient intake, bone mineral density(BMD) and bone metabolism in Korean male collegians as related to smoking situation. One hundred sixty one young adult males at the age of 20-26 participated in this study. The subjects were divided into four groups: non smoker(n=42), light smoker(n=34), moderate smoker(n=49) and heavy smoker(n=36). The anthropometric characteristics, smoking situations, dietary habits and nutrient intakes were observed. Bone status of the calcaneus was measured by using quantitative ultrasound(QUS). Bone metabolism markers including serum alkaline phosphatase activity(ALP) and N-mid osteocalcin(OC) were analyzed. There were no significant differences in height, weight, BMI, energy and calcium intake among the four groups. Iron intake of moderate and heavy smoker was significantly lower than that of light smoker. Heavy smokers consumed significantly lower vitamin C than moderate smokers, and their coffee consumption and lifetime alcohol consumption were significantly highest among the 4 groups. QUS parameters and serum ALP were not significantly different among the four groups. Serum OC levels were significantly lower in heavy and non smoker group compared to the moderate smoker group. In conclusion, heavy smokers in young male collegians had undesirable lifestyle and dietary habits, like as high consumption of coffee and alcohol, and low intake of Fe and vitamin C. Although, there was no significant difference in their current bone status from the other groups, these undesirable factors with heavy smoking may affect their bone health in the long term.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9713-9717
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• 2014

Background: Colon cancer (CRC) is perhaps the second most common cause of cancer mortality. This study determined the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and serum complement 3a (C3a) levels in patients with CRC in Fars province, southern Iran. Materials and Methods: Between June 2010 and June 2012, 110 patients with CRC of both genders and different age groups were divided into 3 groups. Group A included patients who had just undergone surgery; Group B had undergone chemotherapy after surgery; and Group C had undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgery. Twenty one healthy subjects with normal colonoscopy were considered as a control group. ELISA was undertaken to determine VEGF and C3a levels before and after treatment measures. Results: The mean age of patients was $53.9{\pm}14.1$ years. Considering VEGF level, a significant decrease was visible after treatment measures in groups A and B, but not Group C. For VEGF level, the difference was not statistically significant between two genders and various age groups before and after treatment. No significant difference was found for VEGF level between patients and normal group before any treatment. Regarding C3a levels in 101 subjects, they significantly decreased after treatment measures. Before and after treatment, the difference was statistically significant between two genders, but was not statistically significant among various age groups. Conclusions: As VEGF and C3a levels were significantly lower in patients after treatment, these may be beneficial markers in assessment of CRC therapy especially in early stages.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2011

We conducted this study to examine the effects of safflower seed granular tea containing physiologically active polyphenols on antioxidative activities and bone metabolism. Forty postmenopausal women ages 49 to 64-years were recruited from Daegu and Gyeongbuk and were randomly assigned to either a safflower tea supplement (Saf-tea) group (n=27) or a placebo group (n=13). The Saf-tea group received 20 g of safflower seed granule tea per day containing a 13% ethanol extract of defatted safflower seeds, whereas the placebo group received a similar type of tea that lacked the ethanol extract. No significant changes in nutrient intake for either the placebo or Saf-tea groups were observed before or after the study period, except vitamin A intake increased after 6 months in the Saf-tea group. Dietary phytoestrogen intakes were similar in the Saf-tea group (60.3 mg) and placebo group (52.5 mg). Significant increases in plasma genistein and enterolactone were observed in the Saf-tea group. After 6 months of supplementation, serum levels of antioxidant vitamins such as a-tocopherol and ascorbic acid increased significantly, and TBARS levels decreased in the Saf-tea group compared to the placebo group. Serum osteocalcin levels were reduced (P<0.05) in the Saf-tea group after 6 months, whereas serum osteocalcin did not change in the placebo group. Urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine excretion was not different between the two groups at baseline, and did not change in either group after 6 months. Bone mineral density decreased significantly in the placebo group (P<0.01) but not in the supplemented group. It was concluded that polyphenols (72 mg/day), including serotonin derivatives, in the Saf-tea had both antioxidant and potential bone protecting effects in postmenopausal women without liver toxicity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3735-3740
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• 2015

Context: Insulin-like growth factor peptides play important roles in regulating cell growth, cell differentiation, and apoptosis, and have been demonstrated to promote the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Objective: To examine the association of insulin-related biomarkers including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and C-peptide with CRC risk and assess their relevance in predictive models. Materials and Methods: The odds ratios of colorectal cancer for serum levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and C-peptide were estimated using unconditional logistic regression models in 100 colorectal cancer cases and 100 control subjects. Areas under the receiving curve (AUC) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) statistics were used to assess the discriminatory potential of the models. Results: Serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were negatively associated with colorectal cancer risk (OR=0.07, 95%CI: 0.03-0.16, P for trend <.01, OR=0.06, 95%CI: 0.03-0.15, P for trend <.01 respectively) and serum C-peptide was positively associated with risk of colorectal cancer (OR=4.38, 95%CI: 2.13-9.06, P for trend <.01). Compared to the risk model, prediction for the risk of colorectal cancer had substantially improved when all selected biomarkers IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and inverse value of C-peptide were simultaneously included inthe reference model [P for AUC improvement was 0.02 and the combined IDI reached 0.166% (95 % CI; 0.114-0.219)]. Conclusions: The results provide evidence for an association of insulin-related biomarkers with colorectal cancer risk and point to consideration as candidate predictor markers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4161-4165
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate discriminating protein patterns and potential biomarkers in serum samples between pre/postoperative pancreatic cancer patients and healthy controls. Methods: 23 serum samples from PC patients (12 preoperative and 11 postoperative) and 76 from healthy controls were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique combined with magnetic beads-based weak cation-exchange chromatography (MB-WCX). ClinProTools software selected several markers that made a distinction between pancreatic cancer patients and healthy controls. Results: 49 m/z distinctive peaks were found among the three groups, of which 33 significant peaks with a P < 0.001 were detected. Two proteins could distinguish the preoperative pancreatic cancer patients from the healthy controls. About 15 proteins may be potential biomarkers in assessment of pancreatic cancer resection. Conclusion: MB-MALDI-TOF-MS method could generate serum peptidome profiles of pancreatic cancer and provide a new approach to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of this malignancy.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.909-918
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• 2013

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary nutrient intakes for markers of blood glucose and inflammation which is important to the progress of type 2 diabetes and the development of its complications. For this study, 76 adults with diabetes (42 males, 34 females) were recruited from a group of patients who had visited the department of endocrine medicine. Data on anthropometric characteristics, clinical indices such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and dietary nutrient intakes were collected. Our results have shown that 66% of subjects were either overweight or obese. Serum analysis indicates that levels of C-peptide, glucose, HbA1c, CRP, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol were higher than normal range. Results from the dietary nutrient intake survey displayed that intakes of cholesterol and sodium were higher than Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans. On the contrary, folate intake was lower than the guideline. Within the females, energy contribution from carbohydrate was higher than Korean Diabetes Association guideline. Statistical analysis has revealed a negative correlation between serum HbA1c level and dietary intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), n-3 PUFA, ${\beta}$-carotene and vitamin E after adjustments for age, BMI, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, exercise and ingestion of diabetes mellitus medication (p<0.05). Serum CRP level was inversely associated with dietary intakes of carbohydrate, protein, vitamin C and fiber (p<0.05). Our results suggest that dietary nutrient intakes may influence the levels of HbA1c and CRP, and subsequently, it may help in the management/treatment of type 2 diabetes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2399-2403
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• 2012

Objective: To compare expression level of serum tumor associated materials (TAM) with several conventional serum tumor biomarkers, eg., carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen19-9 (CA19-9), carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), in selected solid tumors. Methods: Patients diagnosed histologically or cytologically with liver, breast, esophageal, gastric, colorectal or pancreatic cancers were enrolled into this study. After diagnosis, the level of TAM was determined by chemical colorimetry, and levels of conventional tumor markers was measured by chemiluminescence methods. Results: A total of 560 patients were enrolled into this study. No statistically significant difference was detected in TAM and the above mentioned tumor biomarkers in terms of their positivity and negativity ( P>0. 05). Conclusions: Detection of TAM in liver, breast, esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer patients demonstrates a good accordance with CEA, CA199, CA153, and AFP, thus suggesting that further study is warranted to verify whether TAM could be a surrogate for these conventional biomarkers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.713-716
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• 2014

Objective: Connections between chronic inflammation and tumor development and progression are now generally accepted. Recent evidence indicates that hepatitis B is associated with several types of cancer, but whether endometrial carcinoma (EC) is included has not been reported. Methods: We analyzed HBV serum marker status in 398 patients with endometrial cancer, comparing them to 788 control women undergoing health examination. Results: The total prevalence of HBsAg tested positive in cancer group was significantly higher than the control group (12.8% vs 6.0%, P=0.001), while positive HBsAb was significantly lower (41.2% vs 68.5%, P=0.001). Hepatitis B carriers in endometrial cancer group were also more frequent than in the control group (9.3% vs 5.5%, P=0.013). Interestingly, in the endometrial cancer group, 147 cases were HBV serum marker negative, which was also higher than in the control group (36.9% vs 15.6%, P=0.001). Conclusion: There may be a correlation between HBV infection and endometrial carcinoma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.112-117
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• 2017

Purpose: The aims of this study were to compare serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels between febrile children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and those with bacterial or viral infections, and assess the clinical usefulness of PCT level in predicting KD. Methods: Serum PCT levels were examined in febrile pediatric patients admitted between August 2013 and August 2014. The patients were divided into 3 groups as follows: 49 with KD, 111 with viral infections, and 24 with bacterial infections. Results: The mean PCT level in the KD group was significantly lower than that in the bacterial infection group ($0.82{\pm}1.73ng/mL$ vs. $3.11{\pm}6.10ng/mL$, P=0.002) and insignificantly different from that in the viral infection group ($0.23{\pm}0.34ng/mL$, P=0.457). The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level in the KD group were significantly higher than those in the viral and bacterial infection groups (P<0.001 and P<0.001 for ESR, P<0.001 and P=0.005 for CRP, respectively). The proportion of patients in the KD group with PCT levels of >1.0 ng/mL was significantly higher in the nonresponders to the initial intravenous immunoglobulin treatment than in the responders (36% vs. 8%, P=0.01). Conclusion: PCT levels may help to differentiate KD from bacterial infections. A combination of disease markers, including ESR, CRP, and PCT, may be useful for differentiating between KD and viral/bacterial infections.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2008

The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of level of isoflavones supplementation on bone metabolism in growing female rats. Forty-five rats divided into three groups; Control, l/2IF, and lIF. Serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks value were measured to monitor bone formation and resorption at the ninth week after feeding. Hormones related to bone metabolism were determined, included parathyroid hormone (PTH) , calcitonin, estradiol, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The results of this study were as follows: the isoflavones intake level did not affect weight gain, mean food intake and food efficiency ratio. The serum concentration of osteocalcin and the activity ofALP were not significantly different by different levels of isoflavones supplementation. The urinary DPD crosslinks value was not significantly different by different levels ofisoflavones supplementation. There were no significant differences in serum PTH, estradiol and IGFI among all groups. However, calcitonin was shown significantly higher in the groups of lIF and l/2IF than control group. And growth hormone was shown significantly higher in the groups of lIF than control group. (Korean J Nutr 2008; 41(3): 199~205)