• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권sup2호
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• pp.19-24
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• 2016

Quitline activity in Rajasthan, India is a voluntary activity of Rajasthan Cancer Foundation (RCF) since April 2013. To kick-off, it took the benefit of the State Government- PIRAMAL SWASTHYA (PS)1 collaborative 104 Health Information Helpline that existed already in public-private partnership. It is a reactive quitline that helps callers through the counselors and nursing staff trained specifically through the weekly sessions held by the first author, the RCF resource on quitline. Besides structuring of the scripts for primary intervention and follow-ups after 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and a year, he also monitors calls, advices and coordinates with the supervisors to manage and analyze the data base, and reports to the PS lead at the Jaipur Center on overall performance and to plan strategic communication with the State Government on its outcomes. The quitline has limitations of its informal existence through a voluntary effort of RCF, no specific resource allocation, suboptimal data management, minimal awareness in the masses due to poor IEC (Information, Education and Communication; except its efforts made by RCF in last 1 year through the government-run State TV and City Radio) and staff shortage and its attrition due to lack of plan for career advancement. Despite these challenges in the year 2013, the quit line has registered a quit rate (for complete abstinence) of 19.93% amongst 1525 callers. The quit rate were 58.01% (304/ 524) among the responders at the 3rd follow-up at 18 months (in September 2014)2. In view of an increase in quit rate by 5- 9 times over the prevailing quit rate in the former ever daily users [both smokers and the users of smokeless tobacco (SLT)], efforts are being made by RCF in concurrence with PS to have this cost-effective model established formally with optimal resource allocation in collaboration with willing agencies (the State and Central Governments and the International Quitline Agencies) and its replication in 4 more states where PS is collaborating with the respective state governments similarly (Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Karnataka).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권8호
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• pp.3391-3396
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• 2014

Background: Vitamin D has been suggested as one of the critical factors for female reproductive health with protective activities against different cancers but there are conflicting facts regarding its role on breast cancer without any clear data on premenopausal cases. This study aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D from dietary sources and sunlight exposure on the incidence of premenopausal breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted a case control study on 60 newly diagnosed premenopausal breast cancer patients and 116 normal women who lived in Sabzevar and surrounding villages in Razavi, Khorasan, a rural and conservative area of Iran. Results: The mean concentrations of 25-OH vitamin D in cases and controls were $15.2{\pm}8.15$ vs $15.5{\pm}7/45ng/ml$, both well below normal values elsewhere. In fact 50% of analyzed individuals showed very severe or severe vitamin D deficiency and the rest (25%) were detected in suboptimal levels. Although the lack of vitamin D and calcium supplementation increased slightly the risk of premenopausal breast cancer (p=0.009, OR=1.115, CI 95%=1.049-1.187), higher prevalence of weekly egg consumption (86.66% vs 96.55%, p=0.023, OR=0.232, CI 95% 0.065-0.806) showed a slight protective role. The last but the most important risk factor was lack of sunlight exposure because the breast cancer patients had total body coverage from sun (p=0.007, OR=10.131, CI 98% 0.314-78.102). Conclusion: This study pointed out the role of vitamin D and other possible risk factors on the development and growth of breast tumors in this special geographical region. Although this study has revealed the interactions between hormonal and environmental factors in this province of Iran, understanding the deficiency pattern and its contribution to other lifestyle factors elsewhere is also necessary.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3459-3463
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Cambodia, a low income country in South-East Asia. The Sihanouk Hospital Centre of Hope (SHCH) is a charity hospital set up by an international non-governmental organisation, HOPE Worldwide. In 2008, SHCH partnered with AmeriCares, a global health organisation to set up and deliver a breast cancer programme to provide education, diagnosis and treatment for women with breast cancer. The objective of this study is to characterise the presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of women treated under this program. Materials and Methods: A total of 215 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer from 1 March 2008 until 31 March 2011 were studied. Age at diagnosis, tumour size, histological type, tumour grade, ER, lymph node involvement, treatment modalities (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy) were recorded. Data on mortality at 3 years were obtained whenever possible. Results: The median age was 47 years old. Some 77.8% were diagnosed with stage 3 and 4 lesions, and 78.5% underwent mastectomy, of which 28.4% the intent was palliative. Of those whose ER status were known, only 48.3% were ER positive. Only 6 patients could afford chemotherapy while only 1 patient had radiotherapy. Hormone therapy was provided free for those who were ER positive. The overall survival rate at 3 years was 39.1%. Conclusions: Breast cancer presents at a late stage, and because treatment is suboptimal, survival is poor in Cambodia. A more aggressive approach to early detection and treatment needs to be developed to improve outcome from this potentially curable disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.26-33
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• 2023

Objective: Human exposure to multiple xenobiotics, over various developmental windows, results in adverse health effects arising from these concomitant exposures. Humans are widely exposed to bisphenol A, and acetaminophen is the most commonly used over-the-counter drug worldwide. Bisphenol A is a well-recognized male reproductive toxicant, and increasing evidence suggests that acetaminophen is also detrimental to the male reproductive system. The recent recognition of male reproductive system dysfunction in conditions of suboptimal reproductive outcomes makes it crucial to investigate the contributions of toxicant exposures to infertility and sub-fertility. We aimed to identify toxicity in the male reproductive system at the mitochondrial level in response to co-exposure to bisphenol A and acetaminophen, and we investigated whether melatonin ameliorated this toxicity. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=10 each): a control group and groups that received melatonin, bisphenol A, acetaminophen, bisphenol A and acetaminophen, and bisphenol A and acetaminophen with melatonin treatment. Results: Significantly higher lipid peroxidation was observed in the testicular mitochondria and sperm in the treatment groups than in the control group. Levels of glutathione and the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and manganese superoxide dismutase decreased significantly in response to the toxicant treatments. Likewise, the toxicant treatments significantly decreased the sperm count and motility, while significantly increasing sperm mortality. Melatonin mitigated the adverse effects of bisphenol A and acetaminophen. Conclusion: Co-exposure to bisphenol A and acetaminophen elevated oxidative stress in the testicular mitochondria, and this effect was alleviated by melatonin.

• 환경생물
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.684-693
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• 2017

본 연구는 강원도 원주시에 위치한 원주천의 현재의 어류상을 파악하고, 과거와 현재의 변화를 통하여 하천 건강성을 평가하고자 하였다. 현지조사는 2015년 5월부터 2016년 9월까지 총 4회 조사를 실시하였다. 조사결과 총 9과 27종 5,201개체가 출현하였으며, 피라미(Zacco platypus)가 우점하고, 돌고기(Pungtungia herzi)가 아우점한 것으로 나타났다. 한국고유종은 총 8종으로 고유종 빈도는 16.54%로 분석되었다. 군집분석 결과 평균 우점도지수는 0.72 (${\pm}0.10$), 다양도지수는 1.37 (${\pm}0.32$), 균등도지수 0.61 (${\pm}0.13$), 풍부도지수 1.70 (${\pm}0.23$)으로 분석되었다. 내성도 길드 분석 결과 중간종의 개체수 비율이 높게 나타났으며, 섭식도 길드 분석 결과 전반적으로 잡식종의 비율이 상대적으로 높게 분포하였다. 물리적 서식지 평가지수(QHEI) 분석결과 평균 121.2(${\pm}23.4$)로 양호한 서식처 환경을 나타냈으며, 어류평가지수(FAI)를 분석한 결과 대부분 A~B등급으로 하천건강성이 양호한 것으로 분석되었다. FAI와 다양한 항목 간의 상관성 분석결과 QHEI, 잡식종, 충식종, 중간종, 민감종, 우점도, 다양도, 균등도, 풍부도는 통계적으로 높은 상관성을 갖는 것으로 분석되었다.

• 생태와환경
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.130-142
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• 2007

본 연구에서는 용담댐의 탁수 방류로 인한 하류 하천의 영향을 알아보기 위하여 생태계 건강성 평가 모델, 물리적 서식지 평가 모델, 해부학적 건강성 평가 모델을 적용하였다. 건강성 평가 결과 $S1{\sim}S4$의 생태계 건강도는 평균 43으로 최적${\sim}$ 양호 상태였고, 물리적 서식지 건강도는 평균 154로 양호상태로 나타나 건강도가 양호하게 유지되고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 한편 개체의 건강도를 평가하는 해부학적 건강도 평가 결과 10개 메트릭에서 이상증상이 나타나지 않아 어류 건강성에 대한 영향은 없는 것으로 판단되었다. 한편, 부유물의 증가에 따른 어류 아가미의 전자현미경적 영향 분석을 위해 탁도 처리군 및 대조군의 비교분석 결과에 따르면, 어류 아가미에서 많은 부유물 미세 입자가 관찰되어 고탁도에 장기간 노출될 경우 건강성에 영향을 미칠 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료되었다. 또한, 탁도 증가에 따른 부유사 이동에 의한 어류의 물리적 서식지 영향 분석(특히, 하상 매몰도 및 하상특성 분석)을 위해 서식지 건강성 평가모델을 적용 평가한 결과에 따르면, 대상 조사지역$(S1{\sim}S4)$이 대조군 지역(C1, C2)보다 더 좋은 것으로 나타났다. 즉, 부유사의 증가는 현재의 결과로는 서식지 건강도에 영향을 주지 않는 것으로 나타나 어류의 먹이사슬, 산란장 및 서식처에 대한 부정적 영향은 없는 것으로 사료되었다. 한편, 이런 결과는 단기간 연구 결과에 의한 현재 상태의 건강도 평가의 결과이지만 향후 탁수가 지속될 경우 수 환경이 어떻게 변할 것인가에 대해서는 사후 지속적인 모니터링이 이루어져야 하며, 향후 $3{\sim}5$년 후의 지속적인 모니터링을 실시할 경우 용담댐 건설에 의한 생태 건강도가 어떻게 변할 것인지에 대한 정보를 제공하기 때문에 지속적인 모니터링이 요구된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.4999-5003
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• 2016

The testicular cancer (TCa) incidence is increasing in many countries, with age-standardized incidence rates up to 7.8/100,000 men in the Western world, although reductions in mortality and increasingly high cure rates are being witnessed at the same time. In Africa, where rates are lower, presentation is often late and morbidity and mortality high. Given this scenario, awareness of testicular cancer and practice of testicular self-examination among future first response doctors is very important. This study was conducted to determine knowledge and attitude to testicular cancer, and practice of testicular self-examination (TSE) among final (6th) year medical students. In addition, the effect of an intervention in the form of a single PowerPoint(R) lecture, lasting 40 minutes with image content on testicular cancer and testicular self examination was assessed. Pre and post intervention administration of a self-administered structured pre tested questionnaire was performed on 151 medical students, 101 of whom returned answers (response rate of 66.8%). In the TC domain, there was a high level of awareness of testicular cancer, but poor knowledge of the age group most affected, with significant improvement post intervention (p<0.001). Notable also was the poor awareness of the potential curability of TC, this also being improved following the intervention (p<0.001). A poor level of awareness and practice of testicular self-examination pre-intervention was found considering the nature of the study group..Respondents had surprisingly weak/poor responses to the question "How important to men's health is regular testicular self-examination?" Answers to the questions "Do you think it is worthwhile to examine your testis regularly?" and "Would you be interested in more information on testicular cancer and testicular self-examination?" were also suboptimal, but improved post intervention p<0.001, p<0.001 and p=0.037. Age, gender and marital status were without specific influence. In conclusion, this study showed poor levels of knowledge regarding epidemiology of TCa and its potential curability when detected early. There was also a poor awareness of, practice of, and poor attitudes to TSE. The significant improvement in these parameters post intervention indicates value in educational intervention. We recommend inclusion of TCa coverage and TSE teaching in the secondary school curriculum (targeting adolescents). Greater emphasis should also be given to testicular cancer in the curricula of medical schools and other training institutions for health care personnel.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.383-391
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• 2000

Milk urea nitrogen (MUN) determination is being used an indicator of the protein-energy balance in dairy herds. A faulty balance can be corrected to optimize milk production and animal health. This parameter is regarded as a potential tool to evaluate suboptimal feeding practices and reproductive disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the response of milk composition by regular feeding analysis and to compared the relationship between MUN and milk protein(MP) and fertility at the insemination period in Holstein dairy cows. Total of 355 artificial insemination (AI) for 150 Holstein cows in the herd were used to examine the relationship between MUN and MP content and conception rate. The AI occured for the cows 50 to 150 day in milk, and MUN and MP concentration were determined using automated infrared procedures. The mean${\pm}$standard deviation of MUN and MP concentration in the herd were $15.6{\pm}2.1mg/dl$ and $3.23{\pm}0.38%$, respectively. MUN contents of bulk milk were increase by elevated crude protein intake. The conception rate was lower in the cows in which the level of MUN was lower than > 8.0mg/dl (10.0%) or > higher than 25mg/dl (15.4%) relative to the cows in MUN content of 12.0~17.9 mg/dl (36.7%) at the time of insemination. Also, lower MP than 3.0% or higher MP than 3.25% were associated with a lower conception rates. Consequently, MUN and MP analyses may be used serve as a monitoring tool of protein and energy nutritional balance to improve reproduction efficiency in Holstein dairy cows.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.143-150
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• 2023

2019년 12월에 발생한 COVID-19는 세계적으로 대유행하였고, 이로 인해 폐기능검사실의 안전한 감염관리가 절실히 요구되었다. 그러나 국내 유관 기관에서 제공하는 지침과 규제는 이 심각한 공중보건 위기에 대응하기에는 부족한 실정이었다. 이에 본 연구에서는 2021년 10월 1일부터 2021년 11월 2일까지 국내 2차 이상 의료기관 51개를 대상으로 감염관리 기본규정, 일회용품 사용, 환기 시설, 공간 분리, 출입문의 형태 등에 대해 조사하였다. 그 결과, 공기 주의, 비말 주의, 접촉 주의를 위한 인식과 보호용구착용은 상당 부분 적절히 이루어지고 있었으나, 1인 검사 후 환경소독을 항상 시행하는 기관이 39.22%로 낮은 수준으로 조사되었다. 또한, 일회용품 사용(81.05%), 환기 시설(45.75%), 검사 전용 공간(80.39%), 사무 공간 분리(15.69%), 자동문 설치(19.61%)의 경우 조사 항목에 따라 큰 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 국내 폐기능검사실의 감염관리의 일반적 사항과 시설의 실태조사를 통해 폐기능검사실의 감염관리의 중요성을 재고하고, 국내 의료기관의 감염병 위기 대응을 위한 후속 연구에 기초 정보를 제공함으로써, 폐기능검사실의 감염관리 표준 지침서 개발 및 개선에 기여할 것으로 판단된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권7호
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• pp.574-585
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• 2023

노인들에서 근감소증은 의료-간호비용 증가의 주요 원인 중 하나가 되고 있다. 한국에서는 근감소증 예방 대책이 일반적으로 특정 질병이 없는 노인들을 대상으로 하지만, 요양원-요양병원에서 집단 거주하는 노인들의 근감소증 대책도 필요하다. 근감소증은 운동량 감소, 단백질 및 영양분(미네랄, 비타민 포함) 섭취 감소, 테스토스테론 및 성장호르몬 변화, 염증 등의 원인으로 발생한다. 분자 생물학적인 정확한 병태생리 기전의 이해가 요구된다. 근감소증은 골다공증, 낙상으로 인한 골절, 치매, 당뇨병, 심혈관 질환 등의 증상을 연결될 수 있다. 비타민 B 패밀리(B1-3, B5-7, B9 및 B12) 결핍을 근감소증 유발의 연구 대상으로 선택한 이유는 다음과 같다. 이는 비타민 B가 에너지 및 단백질 대사에 직접 관여하여 정상적인 신경 기능 유지에 필수적이다. 비타민 B 결핍은 신경-근육 질환, 신경성 질환으로 나타날 수 있으며, 노인성 근감소증과 병행하는 경우가 많다. 노인들은 적정치 이하의 비타민 B 패밀리 섭취, 흡수 장애 및 무식증 문제 등을 겪을 가능성이 높다. 초고령화 사회에서 elderly가 자립적으로 일상생활을 할 수 있는 'health lifetime'을 유지하는 것은 개인의 행복추구와 사회경제적 부담을 줄일수 있는 최고의 목표이다. 본 연구는 근감소증과 관련하여 노인들의 근육량 감소 및 근육 기능 저하를 조절하는 수용성 비타민 B 패밀리의 최신 정보를 제공한다. 또한, 비타민 B 패밀리를 통한 마이오카인에 의한 근감소증의 조절 가능성도 소개한다.