• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.269-273
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• 2004

Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) associated antigen is a subfraction of TA-4, a tumor-associated antigen first described by Kato and Torigoe in 1977. TA-4, obtained from squamous cell carcinoma cancer tissue of the uterine cervix, has been characterized as a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 45,000 daltons. SCC antigen has been studied in other squamous cell malignancies including lung, esophagus, head and neck, anal canal, and skin. SCC antigen is shed naturally through sweat, saliva and other body fluids. Contamination of specimens, tray, bead dispenser or other accessories with sweat, saliva or aerosols can cause falsely elevated values. To reduce the possibility of contamination, gloves should be worn in all phases of assay preparation, and when handling specimens, accessories or reagents that will be used in SCC and Thyroid function test(TFT).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2022

Unidentified postflexion larva (18.57 mm in standard length, SL), belonging to the family Synodontidae was collected from Jeju Island, Korea, in November 2019. Molecular analysis revealed that the unidentified larva was identical to Synodus kaianus adults in mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I region (Kimura-2-parameter distance, d= 0.006), and was different from the close species S. macrops (d=0.220). The postflexion larva of S. kaianus has the following morphological features: regularly distributed seven peritoneal pigment spots along the alimentary canal; and, intensively distributed stellate melanophores at the middle of the base of caudal fin and behind the last anal fin ray. The postflexion larva of S. kaianus differed from that of S. macrops in snout length and size of peritoneal pigment spots. This is the first record of S. kaianus in Korea, and we suggest the Korean name "Ka-i-ya-kkoch-dong-myeol" for S. kaianus, according to Lee et al. (1999).

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.981-986
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• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective case series. Purpose: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is associated with etiologies such as lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar canal stenosis (LCS). CES has a prevalence of 2% among patients with LDH and exhibits variable outcomes, even with early surgery. Few studies have explored the factors influencing the prognosis in terms of bladder function. Therefore, we aimed to assess the factors contributing to bladder recovery and propose a simplified bladder recovery classification. Overview of Literature: Few reports have described the prognostic clinical factors for bladder recovery following CES. Moreover, limited data are available regarding a meaningful bladder recovery status classification useful in clinical settings. Methods: A single-center retrospective study was conducted (April 2012 to April 2015). Patients with CES secondary to LDH or LCS were included. The retrieved data were evaluated for variables such as demographics, symptom duration, neurological symptoms, bladder symptoms, and surgery duration. The variable bladder function outcome during discharge and at follow-up was recorded. All subjects were followed up for at least 2 years. A simplified bladder recovery classification was proposed. Statistical analyses were performed to study the correlation between patient variables and bladder function outcome. Results: Overall, 39 patients were included in the study. Majority of the subjects were males (79.8%) with an average age of 44.4 years. CES secondary to LDH was most commonly seen (89.7%). Perianal sensation (PAS) showed a significant correlation with neurological recovery. In the absence of PAS, bladder function did not recover. Voluntary anal contraction (VAC) was affected in all study subjects. Conclusions: Intactness of PAS was the only significant prognostic variable. Decreased or absent VAC was the most sensitive diagnostic marker of CES. We also proposed a simplified bladder recovery classification for recovery prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-25
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• 1992

Taxonomic study of the five species (Acanthogobius elongata, A. flavimanus, A. lactipes, A. luridus and Synechogobius) from Korea was carried out based on morphometric, cephalic sensory canal and ecological characters. Taxonomic revision and classificational keys are provided. Synechogobius hasta is easily distinguished from four species of the genus Acanthogobius in eleven characters, i. e., the number of dorsal and anal fin rays, the transverse scales, the vertebral numbers, the formula of interneural spine of the first dorsal fin, the number of interhemal spine anterior to the first hemal spine, the number of epipleural and pleurals, the ratio of caudal peduncle length, the ratio of caudal peduncle depth and the regular variations in the ratio of body parts with the body length. In the genus Acanthobobius, A. elongata is distinguished from other 3 congeneric species in the ratio of body parts and the oculoscapular sensory canal. Moreover, A. flavimanus differs from other 3 congeneric species in the lateral scales, the transverse scales, the number of predorsal scales, the vertebral number, the number of epipleural and pleurals. Sensory papillae rows of S. hasta is not similar that of the genus Acanthogobius in having a singular sensroy papillae rows. A. elongata has no oculoscapular sensory canal D and A. flavimanus has transverse sensory papillae in cheek, and these are one of the unique characters distinguished form other congeneric species. In the spawning period inferred from gonadosomatic index, A. elongata varied from late March to late June ; A. flavimanus, January to April ; A. lactipes, May to September ; A. luridus, early May to early July and S. hasta, early March to early May.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.240-247
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• 2011

Purpose: The rationale for skin surface cultures is that bacterial colonization precedes infection and, as a result, that identification of a potential pathogen is predictive of later systemic infection in preterm infants. We aimed to analyze results of surveillance surface cultures in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants and seek for effective ways of performing surveillance surface cultures. Methods: We analyzed the surveillance surface cultures of 113 ELBW infants over a 4-year period. Surveillance cultures were obtained routinely from five sites: axilla, external ear canal, nasopharynx, throat (or tracheal aspirate if intubated) and anus. Each surface culture obtained during the 13 days, prior to the date of the blood culture, was compared with the blood culture obtained when sepsis was suspected. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of the surveillance cultures were calculated among 1894 blood-surface culture pairs by surface sites, recovered organisms and interval between surveillance samples and blood cultures. Results: The overall sensitivity, specificity and PPV of surface cultures were 45.9, 22.4 and 6.8%, respectively. The PPV was highest for the throat/tracheal cultures (11.0%) and lowest for the anal cultures (2.3%). As the time of culturing progressed toward the day of blood culturing, the sensitivity and specificity of the surface cultures significantly increased. Only axillary and throat/tracheal cultures were useful in predicting the microorganisms causing sepsis. Conclusion: Surface cultures could help to predict sepsis pathogens and infection surveillance in preterm infants could be continued with a reduced number of cultured sites focusing on the axilla and throat/trachea.