• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2020

In this paper, we deal with a liver fibrosis classification problem using ultrasound B-mode images. Commonly representative methods for classifying the stages of liver fibrosis include liver biopsy and diagnosis based on ultrasound images. The overall liver shape and the smoothness and roughness of speckle pattern represented in ultrasound images are used for determining the fibrosis stages. Although the ultrasound image based classification is used frequently as an alternative or complementary method of the invasive biopsy, it also has the limitations that liver fibrosis stage decision depends on the image quality and the doctor's experience. With the rapid development of deep learning algorithms, several studies using deep learning methods have been carried out for automated liver fibrosis classification and showed superior performance of high accuracy. The performance of those deep learning methods depends closely on the amount of datasets. We propose an enhanced U-net architecture to maximize the classification accuracy with limited small amount of image datasets. U-net is well known as a neural network for fast and precise segmentation of medical images. We design it newly for the purpose of classifying liver fibrosis stages. In order to assess the performance of the proposed architecture, numerical experiments are conducted on a total of 118 ultrasound B-mode images acquired from 78 patients with liver fibrosis symptoms of F0~F4 stages. The experimental results support that the performance of the proposed architecture is much better compared to the transfer learning using the pre-trained model of VGGNet.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2010

Clinical research on acupuncture in cancer care is a new and challenging field in oncology. The results of clinical research will continue to provide clinically relevant answers for patients and oncologists. The evidence currently available has suggested that acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy to manage cancer and treatment related symptoms, while giving patients the ability to actively participate in their own care plan. The article explains the potential benefits of acupuncture and describes the difficulties in studying its effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2014

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes major economic losses to the Korean pig industry. ELISA tests using recombinant nucleocapsid protein of PRRSV have been most commonly used for PRRS diagnostics. In the current study, two commercial PRRSV ELISA kits (Bionote PRRSV Antibody ELISA and IDEXX 3XR PRRS Antibody ELISA) have been compared using sera collected from 19 swine farms in various stages of PRRSV infection confirmed by professional diagnostic centers. Thus 130 sera collected from 5 different farms with active PRRSV infection, 130 sera from 6 different farms with PRRS-stabilized status, and 140 sera from 8 different farms with PRRS-free status were evaluated to determine the correlation of test results between those ELISA kits. Both ELISA kits showed a good correlation [PRRSV-positive farms ($R^2$=0.6375) and stabilized farms ($R^2$=0.8928)] in sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio va lues. Among the 140 sera from negative farms, one sample was falsely positive by either of the ELISA kits. In conclusion, both of the ELISA kits showed a good correlation when applied on field samples collected from farms at various stages of PRRSV infection. Bionote ELISA or IDEXX ELISA gave a false positive result on 1 out of 140 negative samples so their specificity was calculated as 99.3%. Therefore, Bionote ELISA would be a good complementary and alternative method for IDEXX ELISA kit, and vice versa.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.205-213
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• 2009

Objectives : Cancer incidence is increasing in all countries and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients undergoing chemotherapeutic agents have been a clinically serious problems. So far therapeutic options for CIPN patients are limited and no confirmed methods have yet been established for dealing with peripheral neuropathy. Therefore this review is to provide an evidence-based summary of oriental medicine and CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) neuroprotective and treatment therapies which have gone through clinical trials. Methods : An overview of the domestic and international papers of adult clinical trials relating management of only CIPN symptoms through 1990 to present were searched by electronic databases. Search key words were chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, chemotherapy toxicity & herb, chemotherapy toxicity & acupuncture, chemotherapy toxicity & CAM. Only English and Korean written papers were reviewed. Total 25 papers were reviewed in this study, 18 papers were retrieved by electronic search. Results : Clinical studies of managing CIPN were rare, two acupuncture clinical studies and four herb medicinal studies were found. Rest of 19 papers were about other CAM clinical studies. Total 25 papers were analyzed, and all interventions were focused on their pain control efficacy. Other 24 trials of potential therapies except one proved to be effective for CIPN, however some described to be inadequate positive or sufficient negative. Conclusions : As most of the studies were pilot studies, interventions for the prevention and treatment of CIPN have to go through prospective confirmatory studies, such as larger scale randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trials must be done for the safe and effective use of proposed therapies. Also standard measurement scales have to be developed for the better clinical study of CIPN.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.65-88
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• 2009

Objectives : There has not been the comparison research of medication on the Insomnia as the complementary significance of the Oriental-Western Cooperative Therapeutic Viewpoint so far. The aim of this preliminary research is to study Eastern and Western Medication Model for the Insomnia through the comparison of Oriental Medication based on "Sang Han Lon" and "Dong yui bo gam". Methods : The author researched oriental-western viewpoints and the present treatment condition of Sleep and Sleeping Pills with reference to Korean articles issued since 1975, dissertations, journals registered or candidated on KCI, alternative medicine journals on Pubmed, and books concerning Neuropsychiatry. In the field of Oriental medical study, this study was demonstrated on "The Oriental Medical textbook of neuropsychiatry", "Sang han lon", "Dong yui bo gam" and the present research trend. Results : In Oriental Medicine, Insomnia is treated according to si-jie-bu-shui-zung (思結不睡證) type, rong-xie-bu-zu-zung (榮血不足證) type, yin-her-nae-re-zung (陰虛內熱證) type, xin-dan-her-qie-zung (心膽虛怯證) type, dam-xian-yu-jie-zung (痰涎鬱結證) type, and wei-zhong-bu-he-zung (胃中不和證) type etc. In Western Medicine, Insomnia has been treated by Barbiturate over 60's and BZ over 70's. According to recent treatment on Insomnia, Zolpidem or Zaleplon, which is short-lived and has less side effects, is used much, and tri-cyclic antidepressants are prescribed on a chronic psycho-physiological insomnia. Conclusions : Generally, Insomnia is being treated by controlling whole ways. The oriental medication is less effective for sleep induction. On the contrary, that of western medication is very effective for sleep induction, but there are many possibilities of side effects. If this two mutual therapy is conducted cooperatively, more effective medical care might be expected. Therefore, it is considered that not only the oriental medical study for sleep induction, but the study of Oriental-Western Cooperative Therapy should be preceded to treat Insomnia from now on.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.37-51
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• 2012

Objectives : The objective of this study is to determine the present state of patients with breast cancer use of Korean medicine(KM) and predictive factors for the use. Through this, the present study is intended to present reasonable treatment approaches for patients with breast cancer as well as communicating correct information on KM to healthcare providers and presenting objective alternatives for patients with breast cancer management based on the subjects' experience in health benefits obtained from their use of KM. Methods : To collect data for the present study, questionnaire surveys were conducted on outpatients who visited four hospitals located in Seoul, Korea during around three weeks from May 31, 2012. Although the total number of the questionnaire sheet distributed in the form of directly asking questionnaire questions was 300, 12 incomplete questionnaire sheets were excluded. Therefore, the number of questionnaire sheets actually used in analyses was 288 and thus the collect rate was 96%. Results : Major results of this study are as follows. First, the number of subjects who responded to the questionnaire was 288 in total. Forty-six percent of the patients reported KM usage and the most commonly used ginseng and qigong/exercise. KM use was found to be associated with age, experiencing side effects of cancer treamnent. Factors that affect the use of KM were analyzed by Linear Logistic Regression and the results showed that age, experiencing side effects of cancer treatment, effectiveness of cancer treatment, and satisfaction of the treatment were factors that were related with relatively more frequent use of KM. Conclusions : Comparing the previous studies, it could be seen that patients with breast cancer were highly interested in and used KM in which conventional medicine and KM are used simultaneously. Knowledge on the integrative use of KM and conventional therapies is necessary for cancer physicians and traditional Korean medical doctors to help patients make informed choices. KM use may play a role in the positive benefits associated with process of breast center treatment. Healthcare providers should communicate correct information on the KM use that has been scientifically verified and talk with each other openly. The fact that the significant correlation between predictive factors for the use of KM was identified trough the present study is quite meaningful.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1042-1053
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Neurofeedback(NF), Cranio-Sacral Therapy(CST) and Combine Therapy(CT) in middle aged women through their experiences after participating these therapies. The participants were 53 middle aged women who lived in S city, 17 in the NF group, 17 in the CST and 19 in the CT, for 10 weeks from October to December, 2007. The NF group had 30 sessions, the CST group had 10 sessions and the CT group had 30 sessions of NF training after 10 sessions of CST. The data was collected from daily chart by self reporting their experiences during sessions. Collected data was analyzed by content analysis. From raw data, 37 items of NF, 91 items of CST and 110 items of CT were extracted in the content analysis. Similar items were gathered to 22 attributes of NF, 63 of CST and 68 of CT. These attributes were categorized into 9 higher attributes. The dominant attributes of NF were doziness during the training, mental comfort, lightening of physical and mental condition. Mental and physical comfort, improvement of sleep, healthy condition, crying were the dominant of CST. Also mental and physical comfort, lightening of physical condition, improvement of sleep, tear were the dominant of CT. According to the results of this study NF, CST and CT were very effective on physical and psychological relaxation. Therefore it is recommended that these NF, CST and CT be used as a complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) in middle aged women.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2009

Objectives : This research is to figure out the neurofeedback treatment for the inattentive children is effective in improving attention deficit and furthermore, in relieving hyperactivity and impulsivity. Methods : 20 children subjects participated for this study. C3-A1 protocol neurofeedback was given 15 to 20 times to each child, it is carried out to compare the degree of attention in each case every 5 times of neurofeedback by using ADHD Rating Scale-IV : Parent Version(ARS) and Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation Scale-Home Version(ADDES-HV). Results : The subscale of mean inattention score of ARS was reduced from 14.2 to 8.8 significantly(p<0.05) after 20 sessions of neurofeedback treatment, also the subscale of mean impulsivity/hyperactivity score of ARS from 13.3 to 7.1. The subscales of mean inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity score of ADDES-HV was also reduced significantly(p<0.05) after 20 sessions of neurofeedback treatment. The changes of scores appeared significantly(p<0.05) from 10-15 sessions of neurofeedback treatment. Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that neurofeedback can improve children's attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity, there exists the possibility of being a method to treat ADHD.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.228-236
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• 2008

Purpose: The purposes of this study is to provide basic informations on oriental medical research and treatment through analysis of breast cancer patients, who visited M $\mu$ integrative cancer center, O O university East-West neo medical center. Methods: Electronic medical records of 106 breast cancer patients who visited oriental medical center from June 2, 2006 to February 28, 2008 were selected to collect clinical data of those patients. Clinical data were analyzed for types of clinical characteristics, and received therapies. For analysis of survival and recurrence, Kaplan-Meier method was used. All the data were processed and analyzed using SPSS version 13.0. Results: Average age of breast cancer patients, who visited oriental medical center was 48.72 ($\pm$10.13). The stage distribution record indicated stage I (5.8%), stage II (7.0%), stage III (5.8%), and stage IV (81.4%). Original purposes of patients were analyzed to be supplementary treatment for western therapy (68.9%), treatment for recurrence prevention (18.9%), and oriental medical treatment (12.2%) in order. While receiving oriental medical treatment, 60.4% of patients received conventional medical treatment simultaneously. Conclusion: Majority of patients who visited oriental medical hospital were stage IV at terminal stage and mainly visited for the purpose of supportive care. Further clinical study of breast cancer patients is needed to validate the effectiveness of oriental medical treatment based on this study.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

Recently, we have shown that some endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, organotins and azoles suppressed steroidogenic enzymes such as P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and aromatase in bullfrog ovarian follicles. In the present study, by using an amphibian ovarian follicle culture system, we examined the effects of these endocrine disruptors on maturation and ovulation of oocytes from Rana dybowskii in vitro. Ovarian fragments or isolated follicles were cultured for 24 h in a medium containing frog pituitary homogenate (FPH) or progesterone ($P_{4}$) with or without endocrine disruptors, and oocyte maturation (germinal vesicle breakdown, GVBD) and ovulation were examined. Among the organotins, tributyltin (TBT) strongly inhibited both FPH-and $P_{4}-induced$ oocyte maturation ($ED_{50}$:0.6 and 0.7 ${\mu}M$, respectively); however, tetrabutyltin (TTBT) and dibutyltin (DBT) showed only partial suppression, while monobutyltin (MBT) showed no inhibitory effect. All of the organotins suppressed $P_{4}-induced$ oocyte ovulation very effectively at a low concentration, and TBT and DBT exerted an inhibitory effect on FPH-induced ovulation. Among the heavy metals, mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and cobalt (Co) were very effective in inhibiting FPH-induced oocyte maturation and ovulation, while lead (Pb), arsenite (As) and zinc (Zn) were less effective. However, all of the heavy metals suppressed FPH-induced oocyte ovulation at a high dose ($100{\mu}M$). Among the azoles, itraconazole (ICZ), ketoconazole (KCZ) and clotrimazole (CTZ) effectively inhibited FPH-induced oocyte maturation and ovulation, while econazole (ECZ), miconazole (MCZ) and fluconazole (FCZ) were considerably less effective. These results demonstrated that the abovementioned endocrine disruptors exhibited differential effects on oocyte maturation and ovulation in amphibian follicles and that the frog ovarian culture system could be used as an effective experimental tool to screen and evaluate the toxicity of various endocrine disruptors in vitro.