• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2008

Dental pulp cells are assumed to possess the capacity to elaborate both bone and dentin matrix under the pathological conditions following tooth injury. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on various gene expression regarding dentinogenesis and cell viability assay in cultured primary human dental pulp cells. The author also examined the effects of this material on cellular alkaline phosphatase activity as a potential indicator of dentinogenesis. For gene expression on MTA, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed using primer sets of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), osteonectin, and dentin sialoprotein after 2 and 4 days. Cell viability assay showed that the proportion of MTA-treated pulp cells which had been exposed for 5 days to MTA was higher than that of the control cells. Among the genes investigated in this study, ALP and osteonectin(SPARC) were increased in MTA treated group than in control. These findings suggest that this dental pulp culture system may be useful in the future as a model for studying the mechanisms underlying dentin regeneration after the treatment with MTA. Exposure to MTA material would not induce cytotoxic response in the dental pulp cells. In addition, MTA could influence the behavior of human pulp cells by increasing the ALP activity and SPARC synthesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6447-6453
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• 2012

Background: The mucin components of the gastric gel layer function as a protective and lubricating factor against luminal acid and proteolytic enzymes. Alteration of mucin expression in gastric preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions has suggested potential roles in neoplastic processes. This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of MUC-2, MUC-4 and MUC-5AC in Japanese gastric cancer. Methods: Expression of MUC-2, -4 and -5AC was evaluated on tissue microarrays of gastric carcinomas and adjacent non-cancerous mucosa specimens by immunohistochemistry and compared with clinicopathological parameters and survival time of the patients. Results: The three mucins were found to be expressed to a lesser extent in gastric carcinomas in comparison with non-cancerous mucosa (p<0.05). MUC-2 expression was negatively correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion, and TNM staging of gastric cancer (p<0.05), while that of MUC-5AC was negatively associated with the depth of invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (p<0.05), but positively with MUC-4 and MUC-2 expression (p<0.05). There was higher MUC-2 expression in intestinal- than diffuse-type carcinomas (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated no relationship between expression of the three mucins and the cumulative survival rate of patients, even stratified according to the depth of invasion (p>0.05). Conclusion: Down-regulated expression of MUC-2, -4 and -5AC may be involved in pathogenesis, invasion, metastasis or differentiation of gastric carcinoma. Their altered expression might therefore be employed as an indicator of pathobiological behavior.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.167-187
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• 2000

The rates and numbers of elderly suicide in Korea have been increased during 1985-1998. This indicates the seriousness of the problems which the elderly are faced with. So many late-life problems may push older people across the edges. Those in unbearable situations may call out fur helps, they may try to cope with various ways, or they may commit suicides. Because it is widely believed that suicide among the elderly can be understood as a personal solution or alternative to late-life problems in old age, the elderly\`s suicides seem to be an appropriate indicator in estimating seriousness of late-life problems. A comparison of the history of suicide research with other populations shows that the several late-life problems have been found with placing an individual elder at risks for increasing suicidal behaviors Research has identified such problems as financial insecurity, retirement, loss of social roles, physical illness, lack of social supports, and loneliness as the problems that increase the incidence of suicidal behavior. Though it is difficult far us to explain and understand the phenomenon of the elderly\`s suicide because of its complexity, we need to ascertain problems and social conditions behind suicides and also to prepare for some appropriate policy-tasks in light of social welfare for the aged, through examining the phenomenon. For explaining the elderly\`s suicide, the theoretical orientations are based on sociological perspectives in the paper. From the standpoints of social integration theory and exchange theory, this study is to examine the relationship between late-life problems and suicide. These two may have been fruitfully employed in conjunction with each other. Finally, this study would identify urgent late-life problems related with the elderly\`s suicide and suggest the relevant policies for Korean elders. Sometime in the near future, the government should be required to provide social welfare programs for the elderly, particularly for those at risk for increasing suicidal behaviors.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.940-955
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the degree nutrient intake, health status and other characteristics of females aged 65 years and over in a longevity area according to family arrangement. For analysis, 585 female elderly were recruited from the Kugoksoondam area (Kurye, Goksung, Soonchang and Damyang counties), known as the longevity-belt region in Jeonla province, Korea. The subjects were categorized into three groups according to family arrangement (living alone, living with spouse only and living with family). Demographic characteristics were collected, as well as information on physical measurements, blood tests for biochemical indicators, health status and health-related life style, dietary behavior, favorite food groups, consumption frequency of food groups, nutrient intake and mini nutrition assessment. In the group living with their spouse only, the highest education, physical activity, diverse food intake, frequency of eating meats and fish, energy and nutrients intake, and score on the mininutrient status assessment (MNA) were found to be significantly favorable factors. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the group living with their spouse only had relatively superior nutrient intake and the quality of diet. In contrast, the group living alone showed the lowest self-rated economic status, diversity of food intake, and physical activity, with the highest frequency of drinking, smoking and regular exercise for almost everyday compared with the other groups. On the other hand, those living with family demonstrated the lowest intake of supplements or functional foods, and levels of hemoglobin hematocrit MCH, but the highest HBA1c and blood sugar. Therefore, the group living with family was assumed to be at risk of anemia and diabetes. These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase the health-life expectancy of Korean elderly people living in rural areas, according to family arrangement.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2109-2114
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• 2012

Background: Ethnic variation in tumor characteristics and clinical presentation of breast cancer is increasingly being emphasized. We studied the tumor characteristics and factors which may influence the presentation and prognosis of triple negative breast cancers (TNC) in a cohort of Chinese women. Methods: A prospective cohort of 1800 Chinese women with breast cancer was recruited in a tertiary referral unit in Hong Kong between 1995 and 2006 and was followed up with a median duration of 7.2 years. Of the total, 216 (12.0%) had TNC and 1584 (88.0%) had non-TNC. Their clinicopathological variables, epidemiological variables and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results: Patients with TNC had similar age of presentation as those with non-TNC, while presenting at earlier stages (82.4% were stage 1-2, compared to 78.4% in non-TNC, p=0.035). They were likely to be associated with grade 3 cancer (Hazard Ratio(HR)=5.8, p<0.001). TNC showed higher chance of visceral relapse (HR=2.69, p<0.001), liver metastasis (HR=1.7, p=0.003) and brain metastasis (HR=1.8, p=0.003). Compared with non-TNC group, TNC had similar 10-year disease-free survival (82% vs 84%, p=0.148), overall survival (78% vs 79%, p=0.238) and breast cancer-specific mortality (18% vs 16%, p=0.095). However, TNC showed poorer 10-year stage 3 and 4 specific survival (stage 3: 53% vs. 67%, p=0.010; stage 4: 0% vs. 40%, p=0.035). Conclusions: Chinese women with triple negative breast cancer do not have less aggressive biological behavior compared to the West and presentation at a later stage results in worse prognosis compared with those with non triple negative breast cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1995.10a
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• pp.15.2-22
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• 1995

Evaluating stiffness of near-surface materials has been one of the critically important tasks in many civil engineering works. It is the main goal of geotechnical characterization. The so-called deflection-response method evaluates the stiffness by measuring stress-strain behavior of the materials caused by static or dynamic load. This method, however, evaluates the overall stiffness and the stiffness variation with depth cannot be obtained. Furthermore, evaluation of a large-area geotechnical site by this method can be time-consuming, expensive, and damaging to many surface points of the site. Wave-propagation method, on the other hand, measures seismic velocities at different depths and stiffness profile (stiffness change with depth) can be obtained from the measured velocity data. The stiffness profile is often expressed by shear-wave (S-wave) velocity change with depth because S-wave velocity is proportional to the shear modulus. that is a direct indicator of stiffiiess. The crosshole and downhole method measures the seismic velocity by placing sources and receivers (geophones) at different depths in a borehole. Requirement of borehole installation makes this method also time-consuming, expensive, and damaging to the sites. Spectral-Analysis-of-Surface-Waves (SASW) method places both source and receivers at the surface, and records horizontally-propagating surface waves. Based upon the theory of surfacewave dispersion, the seismic velocities at different depths are calculated by analyzing the recorded surface-wave data. This method can be nondestructive to the sites. However, because only two receivers are used, the method requires multiple measurements with different field setups and, therefore, the method often becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore. the inclusion of noise wavefields cannot be handled properly, and this may cause the results by this method inaccurate. When multi-channel recording method is employed during the measurement of surface-waves, there are several benefits. First, usually single measurement is enough because multiple number (twelve or more) of receivers are used. Second, noise inclusion can be detected by coherency checking on the multi-channel data and handled properly so that it does not decrease the accuracy of the result. Third, various kinds of multi-channel processing techniques can be applied to f1lter unwanted noise wavefields and also to analyze the surface-wavefields more accurately and efficiently. In this way, the accuracy of the result by the method can be significantly improved. Fourth, the entire system of source, receivers, and recording-processing device can be tied into one unit, and the unit can be pulled by a small vehicle, making the survey speed very fast. In all these senses, multi-channel recording of surface waves is best suited for a routine method for geotechnical characterization in most of civil engineering works.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2013

Upper extremity dysfunction is a common consequence following stroke. Spontaneous recovery during the first six months post-stroke is rigorous and considered as a significant indicator of potential long-term progress. Various approaches have been utilized to regain functional upper limb movement necessary for independent living; however, conventional therapy approaches have failed to prove consistency, especially for subacute stroke patients. There is, thus, a need for innovative therapeutic strategies that motivate stroke survivors to facilitate neural and functional recovery during the critical window immediately following stroke. The effect of music on physical enhancement has been frequently reported in the field of medicine as well as neurorehabilitation. The efficacy of rhythm on lower extremity deficits has been well established. Yet, the rationale for using instrumental music making enhancing subacute upper extremities rehabilitation is not clearly described to date. Based on the key mechanism of music as sensori-motor movement facilitator, this paper reviews previous empirical research that utilized music-based interventions for upper extremity rehabilitation for stroke patients, either in the form of receptive or expressive activity. This paper, further, focuses on the current research trends in subacute stroke upper limb rehabilitation and provides applicable rationale of using instrumental music playing.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.13-34
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• 1997

The impact of a central place on daily living over wide outlying territory has been one of traditional subjects in the field of urban geography. The flow of rural population toward the central city of Chinju characterizes the population movement in Western Kyungnam, where the spillover of urban population into outlying areas, an especially prominent phenomenon in American society, does not occur. The central city of Chinju is supposed to be the most favored settlement area in Western Kyungnam. More than two thousands of teachers. who live in Chinju, cross the city boundary each morning to do their jobs in Western Kyungnam. But only ninety teachers living outside Chinju commute to the workplace in the city. The teachers willingly spend hours commuting each day to enjoy better quality of life in the central city. In fact, the central city of Chinju functions as bedroom communities for many middle-class workers in Western Kyungnam. On the basis of teachers' commuting behavior, four levels of Chinju's urban spheres are identified in Western Kyungnam. As Table-6 and Figure-2 show, the first-order level of Chinju's sphere includes most Myuns of Sanchung/Hadong Guns and some Myuns of Sachun/Gosung Guns. The second-order level comprises Sanchung/Sachun Eubs and many Myuns of Sachun /Gosung Guns. The third-order level is made up of Samchunpo, Hadong/Gosung/Eryung/Namhae/Habchun/Hamyang Eups, and many Myuns of Eryung/Namhae/Habchun Guns. And all of Guchang Gun and most Myuns of Hamyang Gun belong to the fourth-order level of Chinju's sphere. The influence sphere of Metropolitan Chinju is extended farther in the direction of less competition with other metropolises. Such a situation occurs to the west and south of Chinju. Daily commuting, defined as the journeys to and from work, is an excellent indicator for delimiting urban spheres of influence.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.6
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• pp.35-48
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• 2005

The age of the very first smoking is a significant indicator of life-long health status. Smoking prevention intervention was actively conducted based in middle and high schools with the support of the Korean Act for Health Promotion since 1998. These governmental supports became large and various smoking prevention programs were developed and conducted in diverse standards and perspectives. This study made a comprehensive descriptive literature review on smoking prevention educational programs for youth in Korea to identify the intervention quality and effectiveness of them for future smoking prevention program development. A total of 28 peer-reviewed journal articles published between May, 1995 and May 2005 (for the last 10 years) were finally included in this review process. The study participants should be adolescences in middle or high schools in Korea and the intervention types of the review studies should be smoking prevention or cessation educational programs. The outcomes of the reviewed studies were reanalyzed by the participants' characteristics, theory basement, evaluation design, intervention period, evaluation outcomes, and program effectiveness Most smoking intervention programs were not specified by sex and smoking status. Largely most intervention programs focused on male students although female students' smoking percent is increasing including both smokers and nonsmokers. Based on the school grades, the large percents of smoking intervention were conducted to the first grade of middle school and the first grade of high school. Almost 70% of the reviewed studies did not apply any health behavior change theories and the Transtheoretical model and social cognitive theory were utilized in 7 studies among the last reviewed 30%. The theory-based intervention studies had greater effectiveness than the non-theory based studies. More than 90% had quasi-experimental evaluation design and the effectiveness of the non-experimental designed study seemed over estimated than the quasi-experimental or experimental designed studies. More than 60% of the reviewed studies made their education for less than j days, over a short period and the evaluation factors were knowledge and attitude in general which can be obtained in short intervention period. Therefore, smoking intervention programs for youth in Korea need to be modified in terms of research design such as the intervention period, intervention-evaluation design, theory-based approach, and population-focused intervention specification.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.724-731
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• 2016

As the structural damage caused by earthquakes has been gradually increasing, estimating the seismic fragility of structures has become essential for earthquake preparation. Seismic fragility curves are widely used as a probabilistic indicator of structural safety against earthquakes, and many researchers have made efforts to develop them in a more accurate and effective manner. However, most of the previous research studies used simplified 2D analytical models when deriving fragility curves, mainly to reduce the numerical simulation time; however, in many cases 2D models are inadequate to accurately evaluate the seismic behavior of a structure and its seismic vulnerability. Thus, this study provides a way to derive more accurate, but still effective, seismic fragility curves by using 3D analytical models. In this method, the reliability analysis software, FERUM, is integrated with the structural analysis software, ZEUS-NL, enabling the automatic exchange of data between these two software packages, and the first order reliability method (FORM), which is not a sampling-based method, is utilized to calculate the structural failure probabilities. These tools make it possible to conduct structural reliability analyses effectively even with 3D models. By using the proposed method, this study conducted a seismic vulnerability assessment of RC frame structures with their 3D analytical models.