• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권8호
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• pp.3377-3381
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness and knowledge about signs and risk factors of oral cancer in the general population in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from Saudi adults aged 15 years and older. A total of 679 persons participated in the survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated and chi-square tests, t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine differences between groups. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: Only 53.6% of the participants had heard of oral cancer. Smoking and alcohol consumption were identified as the major risk factors by 81.7% and 56.3% of the participants, respectively. Only 22.2% and 18.2%, respectively, were able to correctly identify red and white lesions as early signs of oral cancer. Participants with less than high school education were significantly less aware, and had much less knowledge, of the signs and risk factors of oral cancer (p<0.05). Conclusions: This survey demonstrates a general lack of awareness among the public about oral cancer and a lack of knowledge about its signs and risk factors. There is a clear need to inform and educate the public in matters relating to the known risk factors associated with oral cancer. A media campaign informing the public about oral cancer is clearly required.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.3205-3211
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• 2013

Background: Bladder cancer is the second most incident malignancy among Lebanese men. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential risk factors associated with this observed high incidence. Methods: A case-control study (54 cases and 105 hospital-based controls) was conducted in two major hospitals in Beirut. Cases were randomly selected from patients diagnosed in the period of 2002-2008. Controls were conveniently selected from the same settings. Data were collected using interview questionnaire and blood analysis. Exposure data were collected using a structured face-to-face interview questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to determine N-acetyltransferase1 (NAT1) genotype by PCR-RFLP. Analyses revolved around univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, along with checks for effect modification. Results: The odds of having bladder cancer among smokers was 1.02 times significantly higher in cases vs. controls. The odds of exposure to occupational diesel or fuel combustion fumes were 4.1 times significantly higher in cases vs controls. The odds of prostate-related morbidity were 5.6 times significantly higher in cases vs controls. Cases and controls showed different clustering patterns of NAT1 alleles. No significant differences between cases and controls were found for consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea, or artificial sweeteners. Conclusions: This is the first case-control study investigating bladder cancer risk factors in the Lebanese context. Results confirmed established risk factors in the literature, particularly smoking and occupational exposure to diesel. The herein observed associations should be used to develop appropriate prevention policies and intervention strategies, in order to control this alarming disease in Lebanon.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.380-389
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• 2021

Metabolic syndrome (MS) refers to a clustering of at least three of the following medical conditions: high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, low high-density lipoprotein level, and high serum triglycerides. MS is related to a wide range of diseases which includes obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. There remains an ongoing need for improved treatment strategies for MS. The most important risk factors are dietary pattern, genetics, old age, lack of exercise, disrupted biology, medication usage, and excessive alcohol consumption, but pathophysiology of MS has not been completely identified. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) refers to steamed/dried ginseng, traditionally associated with beneficial effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-fatigue, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. KRG has been often used in traditional medicine to treat multiple metabolic conditions. This paper summarizes the effects of KRG in MS and related diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease based on experimental research and clinical studies.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

This review describes the risk factors of the nutrition crisis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections and suggests precision nutrition against long-term psychological and physiological stress. The mandatory quarantine and the social distancing are associated with an interruption of the lifestyle routine, resulting in psychological (i.e., boredom) and physiological stress. The stress with multiple causes and forms induces over-compensation of energy-dense food, such as sugary comfort food, and is defined as "food craving" because carbohydrates positively affect the psychological stability with serotonin secretion. The consumption of foods that promote an immune response against viral infections (vitamins & minerals; Cu, folate, Fe, Se, Zn, and Vit A, B6, B12, C, and D), reduce inflammatory cytokines (w-3 fatty acids, Vit D, fibers, and Mg), contain antioxidants (beta-carotene, Vit E, C, Se, and phenolics), and sleep-inducing proteins (serotonin, melatonin, and milk products) is essential. In addition, a reduced Vit D deficiency in winter due to less time spent outdoors under quarantine has been reported to be associated with viral infections. The case fatality rate of COVID-19 was significantly dependent on age, sex, race, and underlying health condition. To prevent malnutrition and cachexia in elderly people, weight loss and muscle wasting should be monitored and controlled. Inadequate protein intake, sedentary lifestyle, and inflammation are significant risk factors for sarcopenia. Moreover, relatively high intakes of fat or carbohydrate compared to low protein intake result in abdominal obesity, which is defined as "sarcopenic obesity." Keeping the food-safety guidelines of COVID-19, this study recommends the consumption of fresh and healthy foods and avoiding sugar, fat, salt, alcohol, and commercially frozen foods.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.2765-2769
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• 2014

Background: Oesophageal cancer presents high incidence rates in the so-called Brazilian-Uruguayan belt. Materials and Methods: The present study included 1,170 participants (234 cases and 936 controls) which were analyzed by unconditional multiple logistic regression in order to examine risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OESCC) associated with several food groups. Results: Boiled red meat (OR 2.59, 95%CI 1.69-3.97), lamb meat (OR 1.64, 95%CI 1.07-2.51), processed meat (OR 1.49, 95%CI 1.01-2.21), whole milk (OR 1.78, 1.19-1.68), fresh vegetables and fruits (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.27-0.63), mate consumption (OR 2.04, 95%CI 1.32-3.16), and black tea (OR 0.10, 95%CI 0.04-0.28) were significantly associated with risk of OESCC. Conclusions: Hot beverages (mate) and hot foods (boiled meat) appear to be important determinants in the risk of OESCC, allowing the penetration of carcinogens in tobacco and alcohol into the oesophageal mucosa.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.380-393
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the lift-style and eating behavior of stomach cancer patients in the Daegu and Kyungpook area, and to collect basic data for nutrition education designed to prevent stomach cancer in this community. The subjects of the study were 102 patients who were recently diagnosed as having stomach cancer at the Kyungpook National University Hospital. The control subjects were 105 persons who did not have any gastrointestinal disease, and included patients from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and healthy volunteers. The survey, which covered the personal characteristics and eating behavior of the subjects, was conducted by individual interviews using questionnaires. It was found that the stomach cancer patients (case group) had experienced a significantly higher level of stress in their daily lives than the control group. A significantly higher proportion of the case group subjects recognized their personality as pessimistic, and had family histories of cancer, compared with the control group subjects. The cancer patients had higher preferences for salty and hot tasting foods, and tended to ingest meals faster without enough chewing, compared with the control subjects. The level of nutritional knowledge of the case group was lower than the control group, and there was a positive correlation between subjects' nutritional knowledge scores and nutritional attitude scores. Subjects' estimates of their food intake frequencies during the decade before the cancer was diagnosed revealed that the case group consumed significantly higher amounts of pickled fish, soybean paste soup and stew, cooked vegetables, beef and pork, charcoal broiled meat and alcohol, while consuming significantly lower amounts of green tea than the control group. In summary, the results of the study suggest that the stress of daily life, a family history of cancer, and a pessimistic personality might be the risk factors for the development of stomach cancer. Dietary factors which were suspected as risk factors for stomach cancer in the present study included strong preferences to salty and hot lasting foods, poor eating habits, and frequent consumption of pickled fish, soybean paste soup, cooked vegetables, beef and pork, charcoal broiled meat and alcohol. A high consumption of green tea seemed to be a protective factor against stomach cancer. The results of the study appear to provide useful data for nutritional education focussed on the prevention on stomach rancor in local residents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권18호
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• pp.8397-8403
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common malignancy in Mexican women. A set of histopathological markers has been established to guide BCa diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Nevertheless, in only a few Mexican health services, such as that of the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA for its acronym in Spanish), are these markers commonly employed for assessing BCa. The aim of this study was to explore the association of Ki67, TP53, HER2/neu, estrogenic receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) with BCa risk factors. Materials and Methods: Clinical histories provided background patient information. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was conducted on 48 tissue samples from women diagnosed with BCa and treated with radical mastectomy. The Chi square test or Fisher exact test together with the Pearson and Spearman correlation were applied. Results: On average, patients were $58{\pm}10.4$ years old. It was most common to find invasive ductal carcinoma (95.8%), histological grade 3 (45.8%), with a poor Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI; 80.4%). ERs and PRs were associated with smoking and alcohol consumption, metastasis at diagnosis and Ki67 expression (p<0.05). PR+ was also related to urea and ER+ (p<0.05). Ki67 was associated with TP53 and elevated triglycerides (p<0.05), and HER2/neu with ER+, the number of pregnancies and tumor size (p<0.05). TP53 was also associated with a poor NPI (p<0.05) and CD34 with smoking (p<0.05). The triple negative status (ER-/PR-/HER2/neu-) was related to smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure to biomass, number of pregnancies, metastasis and a poor NPI (p<0.05). Moreover, the luminal B subty was associated with histological type (p=0.007), tumor size (p=0.03) and high cholesterol (p=0.02). Conclusions: Ki67, TP53, HER2/neu, ER and PR proved to be related to several clinical and pathological factors. Hence, it is crucial to determine this IHC profile in women at risk for BCa. Certain associations require further study to understand physiological/biochemical/molecular processes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제27권7호
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• pp.740-751
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• 1994

Sister chromatid exchanges(SCE) in peripheral lymphocytes is recently used as a biomarker for increased cytogenetic damage in smokers. The purpose of the investigation was to determine if there were any relationships between dietary factors and their DNA damage as measured by SCE test in a group of 62 male cigarette smokers and 36 non-smokers. As expected, smokers as compared with non-smokers had high SCE levels (10.59$\pm$0.21 versus 9.23$\pm$0.17 SCE/lymphocytes ; p<0.05). No significant relationships were observed between SCEs and age in smokers and non-smokers. In smokers, SCEs were negatively correlated with egg frequency score(r=-0.336) and total food frequency scores(r=-0.283). In non-smokers, SCEs were positively correlated with white vegetable frequency score(r=0.333) and instant food frequency score(r=0.382). There was a positive association between SCEs and the history of coffee intake of smokers(r=0.318). SCE frequency was not influenced by any other dietary factors considered ; dietary diversity and quality scores, alcohol consumption, use of processed foods and intake of burned food. No significant relationships were found between SCEs and serum cholesterol or other hematological parameters of the subjects. These results indicate that increased egg frequency score, total food frequency score which reflects dietary quality, and decreased coffee intake may reduce cancer risk by preventing smoking-induced DNA damage as reflected by sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.337-345
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aims at identifying individual- and school-level factors associated with unintentional injuries to Korean adolescents at school by applying multilevel modeling. Methods: From the database of the eleventh Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS), the researchers selected 68,043 adolescents from the $7^{th}$ to the $12^{th}$ grades. Data were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$ test for prevalence and multilevel modeling for related factors of unintentional injuries at school. Results: About 22.9 percent of the adolescents had treatment experiences for unintentional injuries at school in the past 12 months. At the individual level, the significant factors associated with unintentional injuries at school included gender, grade, academic achievement, current smoking, alcohol consumption, frequency of high caffeine intake, depression, and relief of fatigue after sleep. At the group level, the significant factors included number of physical education per week and safety education. Conclusion: School based injury prevention programs should be sensitive to both individual- and school-level factors associated with unintentional injury at school among Korean adolescents.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.71-86
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• 2003

Over the past few decades, changes in patterns of behavior (e.g., diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity) have led to major changes in health status, characterized by increases in obesity, Type II diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. This epidemiologic transition is largely the result of rapid increases in immigration to developed countries and rural-urban migration within developing countries, which is usually accompanied by environmental and lifestyle changes. In particular, adoption of “Western” dietary patterns, which tend to be high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables, is of concern since diet is a potent contributor to chronic disease risk. However, until recently, the process by which immigrants and rural-urban migrants adopt the dietary practices predominant in their new environments, known as dietary acculturation, has received very little research attention. Dietary acculturation is multidimensional, dynamic, and complex, and varies considerably depending on a variety of personal, cultural, and environmental characteristics. Therefore, to intervene successfully on the negative aspects of dietary acculturation, it is important to understand the process and identify factors that predispose and enable it to occur. The purpose of this article is to provide a practical model for understanding and investigating the effect of dietary acculturation on food and nutrient intake. Thus, this report 1) gives an overview of acculturation, 2) defines dietary acculturation and presents a model for how it occurs, 3) discusses measurement issues around dietary acculturation,4) reviews the literature on dietary acculturation in Korean Americans; 4) suggests a paradigm for acculturation research; and 5) offers some recommendations for future research in this area.