• Applied Microscopy
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• v.51
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• pp.18.1-18.12
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• 2021

Hair, having distinct stages of growth, is a dynamic component of the integumentary system. Nonetheless, derangement in its structure and growth pattern often provides vital clues for the diagnosis of systemic diseases. Assessment of the hair structure by various microscopy techniques is, hence, a valuable tool for the diagnosis of several systemic and cutaneous disorders. Systemic illnesses like Comel-Netherton syndrome, Griscelli syndrome, Chediak Higashi syndrome, and Menkes disease display pathognomonic findings on hair microscopy which, consequently, provide crucial evidence for disease diagnosis. With minimal training, light microscopy of the hair can easily be performed even by clinicians and other health care providers which can, thus, serve as a useful tool for disease diagnosis at the patient's bedside. This is especially true for resource-constrained settings where access and availability of advanced investigations (like molecular diagnostics) is a major constraint. Despite its immense clinical utility and non-invasive nature, hair microscopy seems to be an underutilized diagnostic modality. Lack of awareness regarding the important findings on hair microscopy may be one of the crucial reasons for its underutilization. Herein, we, therefore, present a comprehensive overview of the available methods for hair microscopy and the pertinent findings that can be observed in various diseases.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.108-116
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• 2007

Recently, it has been reported that the posterior stabilized implant, which is clinically used for the total knee replacement (TKR), may have failure risk such as wear or fracture by the contact pressure and stress on the tibial post. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the mal alignment of the posterior stabilized implant on the tibial post by estimating the distributions of contact pressure and von-Mises stress on a tibial post and to analyze the failure risk of the tibial post. Finite element models of a knee joint and an implant were developed from 1mm slices of CT images and 3D CAD software, respectively. The contact pressure and the von-Mises stress applying on the implant were analyzed by the finite element analysis in the neutral alignment as well as the 8 malalignment cases (3 and 5 degrees of valgus and varus angulations, and 2 and 4 degrees of anterior and posterior tilts). Loading condition at the 40% of one whole gait cycle such as 2000N of compressive load, 25N of anterior-posterior load, and 6.5Nm of torque was applied to the TKR models. Both the maximum contact pressure and the maximum von-Mises stress were concentrated on the anterior-medial region of the tibial post regardless of the malalignment, and their magnitudes increased as the degree of the malalignment increased. From present result, it is shown that the malalignment of the implant can influence on the failure risk of the tibial post.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2000

Objectives:This study was to investigate the post-stroke depression morbidity and to evaluate the post-stroke depression in relation to activities of daily living by using BDI(Beck's Depression Inventory)and MBI(Modified Barthel Index) in 45 patients with stroke. Methods:The subjects of this study were 45 stroke patients who were admittied to the Dong-Seo oriental hospital.The post-stroke depression was determined by using the BDI and the evaluation of activities daily living was measured by using the MBICollected data analysis were completed by using correlation analysis.Results:1. The post-stroke depression morbidity was 30%.2. The post-stroke depression have no significant correlation with activities of daily living skills.Conclusions:This study shows that the post-stroke depression have no significant correlation with impairment in activities of daily living.Advanced studies are required to investigate other factors that influence post-stroke depression and post-stroke depression follow-up studies.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.170-175
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• 2017

PURPOSE. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fracture resistances of zirconia, cast nickel-chromium alloy (Ni-Cr), and fiber-composite post systems under all-ceramic crowns in endodontically treated mandibular first premolars. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 36 extracted human mandibular premolars were selected, subjected to standard endodontic treatment, and divided into three groups (n=12) as follows: cast Ni-Cr post-and-core, one-piece custom-milled zirconia post-and-core, and prefabricated fiber-glass post with composite resin core. Each specimen had an all-ceramic crown with zirconia coping and was then loaded to failure using a universal testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min, at an angle of 45 degrees to the long axis of the roots. Fracture resistance and modes of failure were analyzed. The significance of the results was assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey honest significance difference (HSD) tests (${\alpha}=.05$). RESULTS. Fiber-glass posts with composite cores showed the highest fracture resistance values ($915.70{\pm}323N$), and the zirconia post system showed the lowest resistance ($435.34{\pm}220N$). The corresponding mean value for the Ni-Cr casting post and cores was reported as $780.59{\pm}270N$. The differences among the groups were statistically significant (P<.05) for the zirconia group, as tested by ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. CONCLUSION. The fracture resistance of zirconia post-and-core systems was found to be significantly lower than those of fiber-glass and cast Ni-Cr post systems. Moreover, catastrophic and non-restorable fractures were more prevalent in teeth restored by zirconia posts.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2013

PURPOSE. Among the surface treatment methods suggested to enhance the adhesion of resin cement to fiberreinforced composite posts, conflicting results have been obtained with silanization. In this study, the effects of silanization, heat activation after silanization, on the bond strength between fiber-reinforced composite post and resin cement were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Six groups (n=7) were established to evaluate two types of fiber post (FRC Postec Plus, D.T. Light Post) and three surface treatments (no treatment; air drying; drying at $38^{\circ}C$). Every specimen were bonded with dual-curing resin cement (Variolink N) and stored in distilled water for 24 hours at $37^{\circ}C$. Shear-bond strength (MPa) between the fiber post and the resin cement were measured using universal testing device. The data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and by multiple comparisons according to Tukey's HSD (${\alpha}$=0.05). The effect of surface treatment, fiber post type, and the interactions between these two factors were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and independent sample T-tests. RESULTS. Silanization of the FRC Postec Plus significantly increased bond strength compared with the respective non-treated control, whereas no effect was determined for the D.T. Light Post. Heat drying the silane coupling agent on to the fiberreinforced post did not significantly improve bond strength compared to air-syringe drying. CONCLUSION. The bond strength between the fiber-reinforced post and the resin cement was significantly increased with silanization in regards to the FRC Postec Plus post. Bond strength was not significantly improved by heat activation of the silane coupling agent.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.111-125
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the impact of rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP) simulation education on advanced cardiac life support knowledge, confidence, satisfaction, and performance ability among paramedic students, and provide basic data on the appropriate methods of educational instruction. Methods: The 48 subjects to be instructed were divided into the traditional simulation education group and the RCDP simulation education group. Six participants were randomly assigned to each group and pre-surveyed. They were then exposed to a lecture about advanced cardiac life support related theories for 60 min and post-surveyed through questionnaires with the same learning goals and scenarios. Results: The advanced cardiac life support knowledge (t=-4.813, p=.000) and performance ability (t=-2.903, p=.006) were significantly different between the traditional simulation education and RCDP simulation education groups The results also showed a significant difference in attach monitor (z=6.857, p=.009), analyze EKG rhythm (z=11.111, p=.001), and defibrillation (z=12.632, p=.000), indicating differences in performance capabilities between the two groups. Conclusion: To improve advanced cardiac life support knowledge, performance ability, and confidence in the paramedic students who receive RCDP simulation education, simulation education methods that are appropriate for the subjects being taught, and detailed learning goals and feedback are necessary.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.248-258
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• 2022

Objective: This research investigated the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)-producing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on the implantation rate and embryo attachment in mice. Methods: In this experimental study, a DNA fragment of the HCG gene was cloned into an expression vector, which was transfected into PBMCs. The concentration of the produced HCG was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Embryo attachment was investigated on the co-cultured endometrial cells and PBMCs in vitro. As an in vivo experiment, intrauterine administration of PBMCs was done in plaque-positive female mice. Studied mice were distributed into five groups: control, embryo implantation dysfunction (EID), EID with produced HCG, EID with PBMCs, and EID with HCG-producing PBMCs. Uterine horns were excised to characterize the number of implantation sites and pregnancy rate on day 7.5 post-coitum. During an implantation window, the mRNA expression of genes was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: DNA fragments were cloned between the BamHI and EcoRI sites in the vector. About 465 pg/mL of HCG was produced in the transfected PBMCs. The attachment rate, pregnancy rate, and the number of implantation sites were substantially higher in the HCG-producing PBMCs group than in the other groups. Significantly elevated expression of the target genes was observed in the EID with HCG-producing PBMCs group. Conclusion: Alterations in gene expression following the intrauterine injection of HCG-producing PBMCs, could be considered a possible cause of increased embryo attachment rate, pregnancy rate, and the number of implantation sites.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.267-274
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• 2013

The impact of income and education level on the clinical and pathologic characteristics, implementation of clinical breast examination (CBE), and treatment patterns of a small population of Chinese female breast cancer patients was studeied in order to provide a theoretical basis and statistical reference for further nationwide research. We included 484 pathologically confirmed female primary breast cancer inpatients of the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University from February 2003 to January 2004. All cases were reviewed and relevant information was collected using a designed case report form (CRF). Chisquare tests, rank-sum tests, and Fisher's exact tests were used in the analysis. Our analysis showed that: (1) women in different occupation groups had significant differences in tumor size, pre-operative mammography, surgical options, post-operative estrogen receptor (ER), progestin receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) status, and post-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy (P < 0.05); and (2) women with different education levels had statistically significant differences in tumor size, post-operative ER, PR and Her2 status, and post-operative chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy (P < 0.05). In Xi'an, China, women in low-income occupations or with low education levels are more likely to have advanced tumor stages at presentation, lower implementation rate of clinical breast examination, and less treatment.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2022

PURPOSE. This in vitro study investigates the effect of different post-rinsing times and methods on the trueness and precision of denture base resin manufactured through stereolithography. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety clear photopolymer resin specimens were fabricated and divided into nine groups (n = 10) based on rinsing times and methods. All specimens were rinsed with 99% isopropanol alcohol for 5, 10, and 15 min using three methods-automated, ultrasonic cleaning, and hand washing. The specimens were polymerized for 30 min at 40℃. For trueness, the scanned intaglio surface of each SLA denture base was superimposed on the original standard tessellation language (STL) file using best-fit alignment (n = 10). For precision, the scanned intaglio surface of the STL file in each specimen group was superimposed across each specimen (n = 45). The root mean square error (RMSE) was measured, and the data were analyzed statistically through one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (α < .05). RESULTS. The 10-min automated group exhibited the lowest RMSE. For trueness, this was significantly different from specimens in the 5-min hand-washed group (P < .05). For precision, this was significantly different from those of other groups (P < .05), except for the 15-min automated and 15-min ultrasonic groups. The color map results indicated that the 10-min automated method exhibited the most uniform distribution of the intaglio surface adaptation. CONCLUSION. The optimal postprocessing rinsing times and methods for achieving clear photopolymer resin were found to be the automated method with rinsing times of 10 and 15 min, and the ultrasonic method with a rinsing time of 15 min.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2020

Recently, medical tourism is recognized as a high value-added industry because of its longer period of stay and higher expenditure than general tourism. In particular, although the number of medical tourists visiting Korea is increasing, the perception of Korean medical services is low. The purpose of this paper is to develop the app which, based on medical tourism type, recommends tourism destinations. Additionally, this proposed app can expand general tourism as well. It can provide tourists with medical information easily by sorting types tourists. Besides, as medical tourists normally stay long, we can take the advantage of post-treatment time. This app collects medical information data and tourist destination data, and categorizes the types of medical tourists into four categories: disease medical tourism, traditional medical tourism, cosmetic medical tourism, and recreational medical tourism. It provides medical information according to each type and recommends customized tourist destinations. User-based collaborative filtering is applied for tourist destination recommendations.