• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1632-1637
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• 2006

We studied the changes in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in growing Thoroughbred horses. Serum osteocalcin (OC), as a marker for bone formation, and carboxy-terminal propeptide of type-I collagen (PICP), as a marker for bone formation, carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen (ICTP), as a marker for bone resorption, were determined in nine clinically healthy horses from 3 d to 17 mo of age. The BW and withers height (WH) increased during the study. On the other hand, a rapid reduction in body weight gain (BWG) was observed between 1 mo and 9 mo of age and a rapid reduction in withers height gain was observed between 1 mo and 5 mo of age. The serum markers decreased significantly with increasing age. In particular, dramatic changes in serum markers occurred between 3 d to 1 wk and 5 to 7 mo of age in these horses, which suggests that bone turnover rapidly decreased after birth. On the other hand, the ratio of PICP to ICTP decreased through the experiment. This result suggests that the reduction in bone formation exceeded that of bone resorption. There was a significant correlation between markers and growth parameters, except for the correlation between PICP and BWG on single linear regression analysis. Serum OC and ICTP were affected by the WH in multiple linear regression analysis. These results indicated that the age-related variation in serum biochemical markers of bone metabolism reflected bone growth, but neither BW nor BWG. Therefore, we consider that changes in bone modeling are the major factor affecting the levels of serum biochemical markers by 17 mo of age in horses.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3437-3442
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• 2013

The high incidence of gastric cancer and consequent mortality pose severe threats to human health. Early screening, diagnosis and treatment are the key to improve the prognosis of the patients with gastric cancer. Gastroscopy with biopsy is an efficient method for the diagnosis of early gastric cancer, but the associated discomfort and high cost make it difficult to be a routine method for screening gastric cancer. Serum tumor marker assay is a simple and practical method for detection of gastric cancer, but it is limited by poor sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, people have been looking for novel serum markers of gastric cancer in recent years. Here we review the novel serum tumor markers of gastric cancer and their diagnostic significance, focusing on the discoveries from serum proteomics analyses and epigenetics researches.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.408-413
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• 2006

This study was conducted to examine the effects of mulberry fruit tea (MFT) on the levels of serum lipid profiles and serum cardiovascular disease markers in sixty middle-aged people(30 males and 30 females) who consumed MFT for 4 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, serum lipid profile levels, and serum cardiovascular disease markers were analyzed before and after consumption of MFT. After consumption of MFT, no significant differences were observed in anthropometric measurements, levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in males and females. Among serum lipid profiles, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol were decreased significantly, whereas HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.959-962
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• 2013

Objective: HBV infection may cause damage to the immune system and induce lymphomas as a result. Some scholars have indicated that HBsAg(+) reflecting HBV infection may have a relationship with lymphoma development. This study was designed to find out the specific stage of HBV infection which may be related to lymphoma. Methods: HBV serum markers, including HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb were tested among 100 lymphoma patients and 100 other patients who were diagnosed with non-lymphoma diseases in the First Hospital of Jilin University from 2010.1.1 to 2012.12.31. Three subgroups were established depending on different combinations of HBV serum markers. Subgroup 1 was HBsAg(+) representing the early stage of HBV infection. Subgroup 2 was HbsAb(+) representing convalescence and Subgroup 3 was "HbsAg and HbsAb negative combined with other positive markers" representing the intermediate stage of HBV infection. Chi square tests were used to compare the rates of three subgroups in lymphoma and control groups. Results: The rates of Subgroup were 13% and 5% respectively, an association between HBsAg and lymphoma being found (P<0.05). There was no difference between rate of Subgroup 2 of lymphoma group (15%) and that of control group (16%). In lymphoma group and control group, the rate of Subgroup 3 was different (12% vs 4%). This evidence was not specific to T cell lymphoma, B cell lymphoma or Hodgkin's lymphoma. Conclusions: Among serum markers of HBV, the combination of serum markers representing the early stage and intermediate stage of HBV infection have a relationship with lymphoma. Convalescence from HBV infection appears to have no relationship with lymphoma.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been shown to generally decrease levels of innate immune markers and inflammatory cytokines, but the specific associations between blood levels of PUFAs and those of innate immune markers have not been investigated. Thus, the present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that innate immune markers as well as cytokines are negatively associated with n-3 PUFAs but positively associated with n-6 PUFAs in healthy adults. MATERIALS/METHODS: One hundred sixty-five healthy Korean adults aged 25-70 years old were included in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Serum levels of n-3 PUFAs, such as 18:3n3, 20:5n3, 22:5n3, and 22:6n3 were negatively correlated with eosinophil and basophil counts and $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, and IL-10 levels. Multivariate analysis also showed that serum levels of n-3 PUFAs were negatively associated with monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts and $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, and IL-12 levels. Additionally, the ratio of 20:4n6 to 20:5n3 was positively correlated with eosinophil counts and associated with $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and IL-4 levels. However, NK cell activity was not associated with serum fatty acid composition. CONCLUSIONS: Innate immune markers such as eosinophil, monocyte, and basophil counts were inversely associated with serum levels of n-3 PUFAs, but were positively associated with the 20:4n6/20:5n3 ratio in this population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4331-4334
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• 2012

Aim and Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate correlations between serum osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and NTX (Cross-linked N-telopeptides of Type I Collagen) and urinary NTX in breast and lung cancer patients with bone metastases. These four markers are considered to have important roles in bone formation, resorption and metastases. Methods: Four markers were determined in the sera of 60 breast cancer and 21 lung cancer patients and healthy controls (n=30). Serum levels were studied using ELISA and EIA. Results: The median levels of serum osteoprotegerin (p<0.001) and osteocalcin (p=0.003) were higher in patients. Significant correlations were observed between the serum NTX-osteocalcin (r=0.431; p<0.001), serum NTX-osteoprotegerin (r=0.42; p=0.003) and serum NTX - urine NTX (r=0.255; p=0.022). Conclusion: We conclude that osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and NTX are independent diagnostic tools. Due to the ease of urine collection, urine NTX may be applied routinely to allow early detection of bone metastases and indicate progression of the disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.695-700
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• 2013

Background: Mutations affecting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are good predictors of clinical efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are also regarded as predictive for the efficacy of EGFR-TKI and EGFR gene mutations. This study analyzed the association between EGFR gene mutations and clinical features, including serum tumor marker levels in lung adenocarcinomas patients. Patients and Methods: A total of 70 lung adenocarcinoma patients with complete clinical data and pathological specimens were investigated. EGFR gene mutations at exons 19 and 21 were assessed. Serum tumor markers were detected by protein chip-chemiluminescence at the corresponding time, and correlations were analyzed. Results: Mutations of the EGFR gene were detected in 27 of the 70 patients and the serum CEA and CA242 concentrations were found to be significantly associated with the incidence of EGFR gene mutations (P<0.05). The AUCs for CEA and CA242 were 0.724 (95% CI: 0.598~0.850, P<0.05) and 0.769 (95% CI: 0.523~0.800, P<0.05) respectively. Conclusions: Serum CEA and CA242 levels are associated with mutations of the EGFR gene in patients with lung adenocarcinomas.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.248-256
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• 2014

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children has become an important public health issue because of its high prevalence and severity. Several noninvasive methods for estimating NAFLD are under investigation. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of serum ferritin as a biomarker of severity of pediatric NAFLD patients. Methods: A total of 64 NAFLD patient were enrolled from Severance Children's Hospital from March 2010 to February 2013. Serum ferritin levels, liver related laboratory tests, liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (2-dimensional [2D] proton density-fat fraction) and NAFLD severity markers were compared between obese group and overweight group. Correlation analyses were performed between serum ferritin and laboratory values including NAFLD severity markers. Results: In obese group, serum ferritin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), MRI 2D proton density-fat fraction, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis- 4 (FIB-4) (an index score calculated from platelet count, ALT, AST and age) were significantly higher than those of overweight group. NAFLD severity markers, APRI and FIB-4, and liver specific important laboratory values, AST, ALT, INR, cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein show significant correlation with serum ferritin in NAFLD patients. Conclusion: Serum ferritin concentrations could be a candidate of useful severity marker in the pediatric NAFLD patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6241-6243
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• 2013

Objective: To explore the predictive value of tumor markers, including cancer antigen 72-4 (CA72-4), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) and cancer antigen 125 (CA125), in single or combined detection, for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Methods: 120 patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer from August 2011 to March 2013 and 80 patients diagnosed with benign ovarian tumors were enrolled in this test, along with 50 health examination women randomly selected from the database as controls. Serum levels of CA72-4, CA15-3 and CA125 in this study were determined by electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Results: Serum levels of CA72-4, CA15-3 and CA125 in ovarian cancer were higher than those in healthy group and benign group (P<0.01).The sensitivity of combined detection of those three tumor markers for diagnosis of ovarian cancer was obviously higher than with single detection with each marker (P<0.01). Conclusions: CA72-4, CA15-3 and CA125 could be a good combination in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Patients whose tumor markers continue to increase should be highly suspected of malignancy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4891-4894
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• 2015

Background: To evaluate the value of combined detection of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), and carbohydrateantigen 125 (CA125) for the clinical diagnosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Serum CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 were assessed in 140 patients with NSCLC, 90 patients with benign lung disease and 90 normal control subjects, and differences of expression were compared in each group, and joint effects of these tumor markers in the diagnosis of NSCLC were analyzed. Results: Serum CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 in patients with NSCLC were significantly higher than those with benign lung disease and normal controls (P<0.05). The sensitivity of CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 were 49.45%, 59.67%, and 44.87% respectively. As expected, combinations of these tumor markers improved their sensitivity for NSCLC. The combined detection of CEA + CYFRA21-1 was the most cost-effective combination which had higher sensitivity and specificity in NSCLC. Elevation of serum CEA and CYFRA21-1 was significantly associated with pathological types (P<0.05) and elevation of serum CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 was significantly associated with TNM staging (P<0.05). Conclusions: Single measurement of CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 is of diagnostic value in the diagnosis of lung cancer, and a joint detection of these three tumor markers, could greatly improve the sensitivity of diagnosis on NSCLC. Combined detection of CEA + CYFRA21-1 proved to be the most economic and practical strategy in diagnosis of NSCLC, which can be used to screen the high-risk group.