• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.4507-4511
• /
• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprising of distinct biological subtypes with many targeted prognostic biomarkers having therapeutic implications. However, no specific targeted therapy for triple negative breast cancer has been discovered to date and hence further research is needed. Aim: The aim and objectives of the present study were to examine the prevalence of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in North-East India and to compare the clinicopathological parameters in two study groups defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) - "TNBC" and "Others". Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective study in a cohort of 972 patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma in the Department of Pathology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, a Regional Cancer Centre for treatment and research, Guwahati, for a period of 3 years and 10 months from January 2010 to October 2013. Based on IHC findings, patients were divided into two groups - "TNBC" and "Others". All relevant clinicopathological parameters were compared in both. TNBC were defined as those that were estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2/neu negative while those positive for any of these markers were defined as "Others". Results: In this study, out of total 972 cases 31.9% (310 cases) were defined as TNBC and 662 cases (68.1%) as "Others" based on IHC markers. Compared to the "Others" category, TNBC presented at an early age (mean 40 years), were associated with high grade large tumours and high rate of node positivity, IDC NOS being the most common histological subtype in TNBC. Conclusions: TNBC accounts for a significant portion of breast cancers in this part of India and commonly present at younger age and tend to be large high grade tumours.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.615-617
• /
• 2003

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the important trace gases because its concentration in the troposphere directly influences the concentrations of tropospheric hydroxyl (OH), which controls the lifetimes of tropospheric trace gases. CO traces the transport of global and regional pollutants from industrial activities and large scale biomass burning. The distributions of CO were analyzed using the MOPITT data for East Asia, which were compared with the ozone distributions. In general, seasonal CO variations are characterized by a peak in the spring, which decrease in the summer. The monthly average for CO shows a similar profile to that for O$_3$. This fact clearly indicates that the high concentration of CO in the spring is possibly due to one of two causes: the photochemical production of CO in the troposphere, or the transport of the CO into East Asia. The seasonal cycles for CO and O$_3$ in East Asia are extensively influenced by the seasonal exchanges of different air mass types due to the Asian monsoon. The continental air masses contain high concentrations of O$_3$ and CO, due to the higher continental background concentrations, and sometimes to the contribution from regional pollution. In summer this transport pattern is reversed, where the Pacific marine air masses that prevail over Korea bring low concentrations of CO and O$_3$, which tend to give the apparent summer minimums.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.33-48
• /
• 1992

Since November 1990, the observations of methane (CH4) level have been carried out at Tae-ahn Peninsula (TAP) in Korea. Analysis on atmospheric data obtained in the period from November 1990 to August 1992 is carried out and the results are included in this study. We 임ole that CIL does not have a clear seasonal cycle with a minor maximum in August- september and with a minimum in June-July. The variations in monthly average level are much larger with 1765.01∼ 1857.21 pub (amplitude 92.20 ppb). The occurrence of a minimum in June-July is due to the inflow of the North Pacific air, an increase of OH radical and due to a decrease in CH4 emission from rice paddy. A maximum in August and September appears to result from an increase in organic materials in agriculture (rice paddy) and forests, inputs of local sources due to weak airflows, stagnation of the warm and moist air and from a decrease in OH radical.'rho present analysis indicates that according to CH4 data from Mongolia and from several sites in North Pacific TAP is influenced as much as 31 pub in average from the inputs of Chinese omission. When the atmospheric CH4 of TAP is compared with data observed at Korea National University of Education (KNU), the values of KNU are higher (127 ppb) than those of TAP. It is clear that air samples taken at KNU are influenced strongly by local sources in central Korea than those at TAP. According to analysis of trajectories and airflows, we find that there are 4 types in classification. Firstly, when an air flow is originated mainly in China values of CH4 gas are in medium ranges. Secondly, when an airflow is from both local (Korea) and China we find higher values. Thirdly, with an airflow from both local (Korea) and Japan origins medium values are recorded. Fourths)r, when an airflow of maritime origin arrives low values of atmospheric CH4 are observed at TAP.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.sup1
• /
• pp.14-19
• /
• 2016

Background: This study uses the relevance index to understand the condition of regional medical service use for cardiovascular surgery and to identify the medical service use imbalance between regions. Methods: This study calculated the relevance index of 16 metropolitan cities and provinces using resident registration address data from the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs and the 2010-2014 health insurance, medical care assistance, and medical benefits claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We identified developments over the 5-year time period and analyzed the level of regional imbalance regarding cardiovascular surgery through the relative comparison of relevance indexes between cardiovascular and other types of surgery. Results: The relevance index was high in large cities such as Seoul, Daegu, and Gwangju, but low in regions that were geographically far from the capital area, such as the Gangwon and Jeju areas. Relevance indexes also fell as the years passed. Cardiovascular surgery has a relatively low relevance index compared to key types of surgery of other fields, such as neurosurgery and colorectal surgery. Conclusion: This study identified medical service use imbalance between regions for cardiovascular surgery. Results of this study demonstrate the need for political intervention to enhance the accessibility of necessary special treatment, such as cardiovascular surgery.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.2821-2823
• /
• 2014

Background: Esophageal and gastric cancer generally have a poor prognosis and may share common risk factors. It has been demonstrated that the pesticide usage may contribute to development of many cancer types. In this study, the relation between amount of pesticides used in agriculture and esophageal and gastric cancer incidence was researched. Materials and Methods: Findings from the data bank of the Ministry of Health Provincial Health Directorate Cancer Records Center between the years of 1998-2010 were used. All patients who were diagnosed with gastric and esophageal cancer histopathologically were included. Data for annual pesticide usage were obtained from Provincial Agriculture Directorate for the same time period. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman test. Results: One thousand eight hundred and ninety-six patients were involved in the study, 1,233 males (65%) and 663 females (35%), 230 with esophageal cancer (12.1%) and 1,666 with gastric cancer (87.9%). No statistically significant relation was apparent between pesticide amount used and esophageal cancer (p: 0.87). Conclusions: In our study, there was no relationship between pesticide usage and esophageal or gastric cancer. However, the time between pesticide usage and cancer development was not known, qualifying the comparison.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.245-258
• /
• 2011

Best management practices (BMPs) are widely accepted and implemented as a mitigation method for soil erosion and non-point source problems. Estimating the amount of soil erosion and the effectiveness of BMPs using hydrological models help to understand the condition, identify the problems, and make plans for conservation practices in an area, typically a watershed. However, the accuracy and reliability of assessment of BMP impacts estimated by hydrological models can be often questionable due to the uncertainties from various sources including GIS(Geographic Information System) data, scale, and model. This study reviewed the development and the background of hydrological models, and the modeling issues such as the selection of models, scale, and uncertainties of data and models. This study also discussed the advantage of a small scale and spatially distributed model to estimate the impacts of BMPs.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.463-477
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Many studies have suggested that Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) and its extract are anticancer agents. However, RVS had limited use because it contains urushiol, an allergenic toxin. By improving an existing allergen-removal extraction method, we developed a new allergen-free Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract (RVSE) with higher flavonoid content. In this study, we examined whether RVSE inhibits the ability of AGS gastric cancer cells to migrate and invade. MATERIALS/METHODS: The flavonoids content of RVSE was analyzed by HPLC. The effects of RVSE on migration and invasion in AGS cells were analyzed by each assay kit. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) protein expression was analyzed by protein antibody array. The Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 were assayed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: RVSE treatment with 0-100 ㎍/mL dose-dependently reduced the ability of AGS cells to migrate and invade. Notably, treatment with RVSE strongly inhibited the expression of MMP-9 and uPA and the phosphorylation of STAT3. In contrast, RVSE treatment dramatically increased the expression of PAI-1. These results indicate that the inhibition of MMP-9 and uPA expression and STAT3 phosphorylation and the stimulation of PAI-1 expression contributed to the decreased migration and invasion of AGS cells treated with RVSE. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that RVSE may be used as a natural herbal agent to reduce gastric cancer metastasis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.240-246
• /
• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the vulnerability of the human health sector to $PM_{10}$ due to climate change in Incheon over the period of 2005-2014. Methods: Vulnerability to $PM_{10}$ consists of the three categories of climate exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The indexes for climate exposure and sensitivity indicate positive effects, while adaptive capacity shows a negative effect on vulnerability to $PM_{10}$. The variables in each category were standardized by the rescaling method, and respective relative regional vulnerability was analyzed through the vulnerability index calculation formula of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Results: Regions with a high exposure index were the western and northern urban areas with industrial complexes adjacent to a highway, including Bupyong-gu and Seo-gu. Major factors determining the climate exposure index were the $PM_{10}$ concentration, days of $PM_{10}$ >= $100{\mu}g/m^3$, and $PM_{10}$ emissions. The regions showing a high sensitivity index were urban regions with high populations; these commonly had a high mortality rate for related diseases and vulnerable populations. Conclusions: This study is able to support regionally adjusted adaptation policies and the quantitative background of policy priority since it provides information on the regional health vulnerability to $PM_{10}$ due to climate change in Incheon.

• Atmosphere
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.373-386
• /
• 2016

The future variability of Wind Energy Density (WED) over the Korean Peninsula under RCP climate change scenario is projected using ensemble analysis. As for the projection of the future WED, changes between the historical period (1981~2005) and the future projection (2021~2050) are examined by analyzing annual and seasonal mean, and Coefficient of Variation (CV) of WED. The annual mean of WED in the future is expected to decrease compared to the past ones in RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 respectively. However, the CV is expected to increase in RCP 8.5. WEDs in spring and summer are expected to increase in both scenarios RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. In particular, it is predicted that the variation of CV for WED in winter is larger than other seasons. The time series of WED for three major wind farms in Korea exhibit a decrease trend over the future period (2021~2050) in Gochang for autumn, in Daegwanryeong for spring, and in Jeju for autumn. Through analyses of the relationship between changes in wind energy and pressure gradients, the fact that changes in pressure gradients would affect changes in WED is identified. Our results can be used as a background data for devising a plan to develop and operate wind farm over the Korean Peninsula.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.17
• /
• pp.7589-7594
• /
• 2015

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules, implicated in several activities like initiation, progression and prognosis of various cancers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA genes can lead to alteration in mRNA expression, resulting in diverse functional consequences. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of miR-149C>T and miR-196a2C>T SNPs with susceptibility to development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in South Indian subjects. Materials and Methods: 100 OSCC patients and 102 healthy controls from the general population were recruited for the study. Genetic analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) as per a standard protocol. Results: The genotype frequencies in miR-196a2 polymorphism, of TT, CT and CC in the OSCC patients were 69%,10% and 22% respectively while for control group it was 80%, 15% and 5% respectively. The CC genotype of miR196a2 polymorphism was significantly associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The genotype frequencies in miR-149 polymorphisms of CC, CT and TT in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients were 72%, 22% and 6% respectively and for control group 88%, 12% and 0% respectively. CT and TT genotypes of miR149 polymorphism were found to be significantly associated with OSCC (p = 0.05 and 0.07). Conclusions: Our study suggests that miR-196a2C>T and miR-149C>T polymorphisms may play crucial roles in the development of OSCC in South Indian subjects.