• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.429-435
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of preoperative FDG-PET in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with hepatic metastasis (HM). Materials and Methods: 24 CRC patients (M:F=14:10; age, $63{\pm}10$ yrs) with HM who had undergone preoperative FDG PET were included. Cure-intent surgery was performed in all the patients and HMs were controlled using resection (n=13), radio-frequency ablation (RFA) (n=7), and resection plus RFA (n=4). Potential prognostic markers tested were maxSUV of primary tumor, maxSUV of HM, maxSUV ratio of HM over primary tumor (M/P ratio), histologic grade, CEA level, venous/lymphatic/nerve invasion, T stage, N stage, no. of HM, no. of lymph node metastasis, and treatment modality of HM. Results: 14 CRC patients developed a recurrence with a median follow-up duration of 244 days, whereas 10 patients did not develop recurrence with a median follow-up duration of 504 days. M/P ratios but other potential prognostic markers were significantly higher in the recurrent patients ($0.72{\pm}0.14$) than recurrence-free patients ($0.54{\pm}0.23$) (p=0.038). M/P ratio only was found to predict recurrence by Cox multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 37.7, 95% confidence interval 2.01-706.1, p=0.016). The 11 patients with lower M/P ratio of <0.61 had significantly better disease-free survival rate than the 13 patients with higher M/P ratio (${\geq}0.61$) (p=0.026). Conclusion: maxSUV ratio of HM over primary tumor (M/P ratio) may be useful for prognosis prediction of CRC patients with HM. Higher FDG uptake of HM than that of primary tumor may indicate a more advanced status in stage IV CRC.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2007

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have often been reported to suffer from depression and anxiety possibly due to the exacerbation, hospitalization and mortality of COPD. However,scarce data are available in Korea. This study assessed degree of depression and anxiety, and evaluated the factors associated with depressive symptoms in COPD. Methods: The cross-sectional data on the lung function measurements, smoking behavior, body mass index (BMI), age, gender, depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were evaluated in 72 outpatients with COPD and 50 controls without underling lung diseases from September, 2005 to October, 2006 in the Ewha medical center. Results: 1) The age, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin levels were similar in the patients and controls. The BDI scores (16(0-37) vs. 12(1-30), p=0.001) and the prevalence of depression (36% vs. 6%, p<0.0001) were higher in the COPD patients than in the controls. In the COPD group, the prevalence of depression increased with increasing GOLD stage (p=0.008). The prevalence was 18%(4/22), in mild cases, 30%(6/20) in moderate cases, 52%(13/25) in severe cases and 60%(3/5) in very severe cases. 2) The SAI and TAI scores were higher in the COPD patients (44(20-67) and 47(20-66)) than in the healthy controls (39(26-65) and 44(33-90)). There were a significant correlation between the depression and anxiety scores (p<0.001). 3) A lower BMI, lower postbronchodilator $FEV_1$, current smoking behavior and severity of COPD were univariately associated with the depressive group in COPD, 4) while multivariate logistic analysis revealed only the severe-to-very severe group (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 12.9) to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: COPD is strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Therfore, screening for psychological problems in COPD patients is essential, particularly in patients with severe-to-very severe COPD.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2012

Effect of a new crop protectant 'Bt-Plus' on natural enemies was analyzed in this study. Tested natural enemies included two parasitic species of $Aphidius$ $colemani$ and $Eretmocerus$ $eremicus$, and four predatory species of $Harmonia$ $axyridis$, $Orius$ $laevigatus$, $Amblyseius$ $swirskii$, and $Phytoseiulus$ $persimilis$. 'Bt-Plus' was formulated by combination of three entomopathogenic bacteria ($Xenorhabdus$ $nematophila$ (Xn), $Photorhabdus$ $temperata$ subsp. $temperata$ (Ptt), $Bacillus$ $thuringiensis$ (Bt)) and bacterial metabolite (BM). All three types of 'Bt-Plus' showed significantly higher toxicities against fourth instar $Plutella$ $xylostella$ larvae than Bt single treatment. Two types of bacterial mixtures ('Xn+Bt' and 'Ptt+Bt') showed little toxicity to all natural enemies in both contact and oral feeding assays. However, 'BM+Bt' showed significant toxicities especially to two predatory mites of $A.$ $swirskii$ and $P.$ $persimilis$. The acaricidal effects of different bacterial metabolites were evaluated against two spotted spider mite, $Tetranychus$ $urticae$. All six BM chemicals showed significant acaricidal effects. The BM mixture used to prepare 'Bt-Plus' showed a high acaricidal activity with a median lethal concentration at 218.7 ppm (95% confidence interval: 163.2 - 262.3). These toxic effects of bacterial metabolites were also proved by cytotoxicity test against Sf9 cells. Especially, benzylideneacetone, which was used as a main ingredient of 'BM+Bt', showed high cytotoxicity at its low micromolar concentration.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1234-1244
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• 2013

This study aimed to analyze the ten years cancer incidence based on diagnosis years 2000-2009, and to evaluate the quality of cancer registry in Daejeon City and Chungcheongnam-Do, Korea. Crude incidence rate and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) in these two regions were compared, and validity of incidence data was assessed by three indicators; age unknown (Age UNK%), histological verification (HV%), and death certificate only (DCO%). Mortality/incidence ratio (M/I ratio) was used to evaluate completeness of incidence data. Incidence rate differences were assessed using Poission distribution and calculated their 95% confidence interval of ASR, and those by sex, age, and region were compared by incidence rate curve. As a result, the highest cancer site during 2000-2009 was stomach in both regions, and incidence prpportion were 18.8% in Daejeon, 21.5% in Chungnam. The overall cancer incidence was higher in males than in females, and ASR of total cancer in Daejeon increased 0.6% (from 322.1 to 323.9 per 100,000) for men and 60.3% (from 203.9 to 326.8) for women, that in Chungnam increased 14.3% (from 294.7 to 336.9) for men and 70.7% (from 156.5 to 267.1) for women. The Age UNK% during 2000-2009 were 0.0% in both regions. MV% for men was increased from 71.8% to 88.5% and that for women was increased from 78.1% to 93.2%. DCO% for men was decreased from 6.4% to 0.7% and that for women was decreased from 5.4% to 0.8%. M/I ratio was ranged from 15.3% to 62.1% and can be evaluated fairy good registration.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was carried out to understand the seroprevalence and risk factors for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) among the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) workers. Methods: We used the stored serum samples (763) and survey results collected from the previous investigation on scrub typhus and Lyme disease among the KNPS workers during 2016-2017. The serum samples were analyzed by double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which was used to test the total antibody including IgG and IgM. Results: The SFTS seroprevalence among the KNPS worrkers was 1.4%. In multivariate logistic analysis, the national park exploration programs (odds ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-12.01) was significantly associated with the seroprevalence of SFTS. Conclusion: This study was the first serological study of SFTS among forestry workers in South Korea. Although the KNPS workers are at a high-risk group of SFTS, the prevention activities related to the working environment and habit was insufficient. Thus, systematic prevention education and training for the KNPS workers need to be strengthened.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2022

Objectives: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was approximately 16% in populations of over age 30 years, and deaths from diabetes mellitus became the sixth most prevalent cause of death by disease. To assess the relationship between HbA1c and heavy metal level in blood and urine, targeted residents were evaluated in a vast steel industrial complex. Methods: We selected 414 subjects for analysis after applying the following exclusion criterion: 18 persons with diabetes mellitus. They took part in a questionnaire survey and underwent blood and urinary assessments. HbA1c and lead (Pb) level were measured in blood and, cadmium (Cd), inorganic arsenic (iAs) and mercury (Hg) were evaluated in urine. Two subgroups were divided by HbA1c 6.5%. Each subgroup was divided by 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th percentile levels of biological exposure index of the heavy metals for logistic regression. Results: Odd ratios have a tendency to increase as they go from the 90th to the 10th percentile of cadmium. However, lead, arsenic and mercury did not have significant relationships with HbA1c. In correction of age, region, gender and smoking history, a higher distribution in the subgroup with cadmium above 0.8318 ㎍/g creatinine (30th percentile) was demonstrated in the subgroup with HbA1c levels above the 6.5%, with an odds ratio of 5.26 (95% C.I. ; 1.44~19.17). Conclusion: This study found a significant correlation between urinary levels of cadmium and HbA1c in correction of several factors. It is meaningful that this outcome may be used as a basis for a study to establish the acceptable limit of urinary cadmium in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.2
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• pp.406-416
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• 2021

Purpose To evaluate the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based texture parameters and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutation in patients with non-mucinous rectal cancer. Materials and Methods Seventy-nine patients who had pathologically confirmed rectal non-mucinous adenocarcinoma with or without KRAS-mutation and had undergone rectal MRI were divided into a training (n = 46) and validation dataset (n = 33). A texture analysis was performed on the axial T2-weighted images. The association was statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. To extract an optimal cut-off value for the prediction of KRAS mutation, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed. The cut-off value was verified using the validation dataset. Results In the training dataset, skewness in the mutant group (n = 22) was significantly higher than in the wild-type group (n = 24) (0.221 ± 0.283; -0.006 ± 0.178, respectively, p = 0.003). The area under the curve of the skewness was 0.757 (95% confidence interval, 0.606 to 0.872) with a maximum accuracy of 71%, a sensitivity of 64%, and a specificity of 78%. None of the other texture parameters were associated with KRAS mutation (p > 0.05). When a cut-off value of 0.078 was applied to the validation dataset, this had an accuracy of 76%, a sensitivity of 86%, and a specificity of 68%. Conclusion Skewness was associated with KRAS mutation in patients with non-mucinous rectal cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.5
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• pp.1231-1245
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• 2021

Purpose To investigate the usefulness of imaging features for differentiating between small lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Materials and Methods It included 52 female with LCISs (median 45 years, range 32-67 years) and 180 female with ILCs (median 49 years, range 36-75 years), with the longest diameter of ≤ 2 cm, who were evaluated between January 2012 and December 2016. All the female underwent mammography and ultrasonography. Twenty female with LCIS and 150 female with ILC underwent MRI. The clinical and imaging features were compared, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of LCIS. Female with LCIS were also sub-grouped by lesion size and compared with the female with ILC. Results Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.100), smaller lesion size (OR = 1.103), oval or round shape (OR = 4.098), parallel orientation (OR = 5.464), and isoechotexture (OR = 3.360) were significant independent factors predictive of LCIS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for distinguishing LCIS from ILC was 0.904 (95% confidence interval, 0.857-0.951). Subgroup analysis showed that benign features were more prevalent in female with smaller LCISs (≤ 1 cm) than in those with ILC. Conclusion Small LCISs tend to demonstrate more benign features than small ILCs. Several imaging features are independently predictive of LCIS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.566-578
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• 2024

Purpose This study investigated whether the respiratory phase during pleural puncture in CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) affects complications. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 477 lung biopsy CT scans performed during free breathing. The respiratory phases during pleural puncture were determined based on the table position of the targeted nodule using CT scans obtained during free breathing. We compared the rates of complications among the inspiratory, mid-, and expiratory respiratory phases. Logistic regression analysis was performed to control confounding factors associated with pneumothorax. Results Among the 477 procedures, pleural puncture was performed during the expiratory phase in 227 (47.6%), during the mid-phase in 108 (22.6%), and during the inspiratory phase in 142 (29.8%). The incidence of pneumothorax was significantly lower in the expiratory puncture group (40/227, 17.6%; p = 0.035) and significantly higher in the mid-phase puncture group (31/108, 28.7%; p = 0.048). After controlling for confounding factors, expiratory-phase puncture was found to be an independent protective factor against pneumothorax (odds ratio = 0.571; 95% confidence interval = 0.360-0.906; p = 0.017). Conclusion Our findings suggest that pleural puncture during the expiratory phase may reduce the risk of pneumothorax during image guided PTNB.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.69-81
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between physical activity and periodontitis based on depression status in a representative sample of Korean adults. Methods: A total of 12,689 subjects who participated in the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018) were examined. Depression was defined as a PHQ-9 score ≥ 10. Periodontal status was assessed using the community periodontal index, with periodontitis defined as a code ≥ 3. Physical activity categories were divided into a physical activity group and a non-physical activity group, considering the number of days and minutes spent on moderate and vigorous activities. Moderate activity was defined as causing slight breathlessness or a slightly elevated heart rate, while vigorous activity was defined as causing significant breathlessness or a rapid heart rate. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic variables (age, sex, education level, and household income), oral and general health behaviors (use of floss and interdental proximal brush, current smoking), and systemic health status (diabetes and hypertension). All analyses utilized a complex sampling design, and subgroup analysis was performed to estimate associations stratified by depression (PHQ-9 ≤ 9 and ≥ 10). Results: Multivariable regression analysis revealed that among participants with depression, those who did not engage in physical activity were 2.65 times more likely to have periodontitis (odds ratio = 2.65, 95% confidence interval = 1.17-6.01). Conclusion: The study findings suggest that individuals who participate in any form of physical activity may be significantly less likely to develop periodontitis, particularly within the group experiencing depression.