• Laboratory Medicine Online
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2017

Background: We evaluated a sensitive and quantitative method utilizing fragment analysis of the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD), simultaneously measuring mutant allele burden and length, and verified the analytical performance. Methods: The number and allelic burden of FLT3-ITD mutations was determined by fragment analysis. Serial mixtures of mutant and wild-type plasmid DNA were used to calculate the limit of detection of fragment analysis, conventional PCR, and Sanger sequencing. Specificity was evaluated using DNA samples derived from 50 normal donors. Results of fragment analysis were compared to those of conventional PCR, using 481 AML specimens. Results: Defined mixtures were consistently and accurately identified by fragment analysis at a 5% relative concentration of mutant to wild-type, and at 10% and 20% ratios by conventional PCR and direct sequencing, respectively. No false positivity was identified. Among 481 AML specimens, 40.1% (193/481) had FLT3-ITD mutations. The mutant allele burden (1.7-94.1%; median, 28.2%) and repeated length of the mutation (14-153 bp; median, 49 bp) were variable. The concordance rate between fragment analysis and conventional PCR was 97.7% (470/481). Fragment analysis was more sensitive than conventional PCR and detected 11 additional cases: seven had mutations below 10%, three cases represented conventional PCR failure, and one case showed false negativity because of short ITD length (14 bp). Conclusions: The new fragment analysis method proved to be sensitive and reliable for the detection and monitoring of FLT3-ITD in patients with AML. This could be used to simultaneously assess ITD mutant allele burden and length.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.58 no.8
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• pp.960-967
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare the macular choroidal thickness in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) with those with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods: A total of 70 normal eyes, 74 eyes with TAO and 60 eyes with NTG were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) (Cirrus HD-OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA). Macular choroidal thickness was assessed using enhanced depth imaging. The average macular choroidal thickness was defined as the average value of three measurements: at the fovea and at the points located 1.5 mm in the nasal and temporal directions from the fovea. Generalized estimating equations were used to uncover factors affecting the average macular choroidal thickness. Results: The average, superior and inferior quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses were significantly thinner in the NTG group compared with the TAO and control groups (p < 0.001). The average macular choroidal thickness of the TAO group, NTG group and controls was $281.01{\pm}60.06{\mu}m$, $241.66{\pm}55.00{\mu}m$ and $252.07{\pm}55.05{\mu}m$, respectively, which were significantly different (p = 0.013). The subfoveal, nasal and temporal side choroidal thicknesses were significantly thinner in the NTG group compared with the TAO group (p = 0.014, 0.012 and 0.034, respectively). Subjects with TAO were associated with a thicker average macular choroidal thickness compared with the NTG group after adjusting for age, sex, spherical equivalent and intraocular pressure (${\beta}=32.61$, p = 0.017). Conclusions: Macular choroidal thickness was significantly thicker in patients with TAO compared with those with NTG. Further evaluation is required to determine if a thick choroid in subjects with TAO has any role in glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.1142-1151
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• 2018

Purpose: We assessed the visual and anatomical outcomes, and the safety profile of long-term intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (aflibercept, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab) given to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NAMD). Methods: We analyzed medical records collected over 7 years of treatment-naive NAMD patients who received outpatient clinic-based intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. All were treated employing either "treat-and-extend" or "as needed" protocols at the discretion of the retinal specialist. The number of injections, adverse events associated with injection, and measures of visual acuity (VA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded. Results: Overall, we assessed 196 eyes of 196 patients (average age $68.6{\pm}9.6years$; 77 females). Patients received an average of $17.3{\pm}13.5$ injections over $78.0{\pm}16.5months$ of clinical follow-up. The initial mean VA (logMAR) was $0.75{\pm}0.58$ and the CFT was $349.7{\pm}152.6{\mu}m$. Both parameters exhibited maximal improvements at the 6-month visit (p < 0.05). However, the clinical outcomes worsened over the 7-year clinical course; the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was $0.91{\pm}0.78$ and the CFT was $284.5{\pm}105.8{\mu}m$ at 7 years. The BCVA at 7 years was significantly correlated with the initial BCVA. IOP-related events increased 11-fold and anterior chamber reactions increased 3-fold over the years, but no significant complications such as endophthalmitis were recorded. Conclusions: The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents was associated with initial visual improvements over 6 months but did not prevent the worsening of NAMD over 5 years. The BCVA at the initial visit was a strong predictor of the final BCVA. A more intensive injection schedule might improve long-term outcomes.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.79-85
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• 2010

An analysis in heating effects of an electric radiator located in a 1-2W type chrysanthemum (3 cultivars) cultivation greenhouse installed in Gyeongsang National University drew the following conclusions. During the experiment period, the highest, average, and the lowest outside temperatures were in the ranges of $-3.8{\sim}21.3^{\circ}C$, $-5.2{\sim}16.1^{\circ}C$ and $-12.5{\sim}14.4^{\circ}C$, respectively, and the average relative humidity inside and outside the greenhouses were in the ranges of 43.5~98.6% and 35.2~100%, respectively. From mid-December to early February, the lowest outside temperature was recorded as approximately $-5.0{\sim}-10.0^{\circ}C$, which showed that it tended to be relatively lower than the temperatures recorded at the Jinju Meteorological Observatory. During the night, the leaf temperature measured directly under the radiator tended to be higher by $2{\sim}3^{\circ}C$ than that those at the middle point of the radiator, or higher by a negligible amount. In the case of root zone temperature, it was found that there was almost no difference between temperatures of the part directly under and the middle point, and the time when the highest temperature of root zone and other highest temperatures took place showed that there was about a 2-hour delay phenomenon. The total electricity consumption, energy supply and total heating cost during the experiment period were 2,800 kWh, 2,408,000 kcal and 112,000 won, respectively. When diesel, a kind of fossil fuel, was used as heating oil, the total heating cost was around 224,500 won. It was estimated that the total heating cost could be reduced by around 50% if a radiator was used.

• Journal of health informatics and statistics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.307-317
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of Internet-based intervention programs for adults with diabetes by conducting a meta-analysis of studies conducted since 2000. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of research papers published in domestic and overseas journals from January 2000 to December 2015, and selected 9 papers that met the analysis criteria. Data analysis was performed using the open source statistical software R 3.5.0, to analyze the effectiveness of Internet-based interventions on experimental and control groups. Results: The analysis showed that intervention programs for controlling HbA1c levels in adult patients with diabetes most commonly comprised 7 sessions on Internet-based management (77.8%), and the most common frequency of application of intervention programs was 4 session in 6 months (33.4%). The present meta-analysis revealed statistically significant effects of Internet-based intervention activities (SMD = 0.92, 95% CI 0.45-1.40). The analysis of the effect size according to the intervention period showed that the 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month interventions reported in eight studies (89%) had a high effect on the Internet-based intervention group. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the effectiveness of Internet-based intervention programs for adult patients with diabetes. The need for research on the utilization of Internet-based intervention programs for the steady management of diabetes, a chronic disease; for the development of specific guidelines for intervention activities; and for establishing appropriate protocols are acknowledged.

• Journal of Legislation Research
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• no.41
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• pp.337-366
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• 2011

In this article, I intend to analyze the definition of an employee under the Trade Union Act in Japan. Recently, the Supreme Court of Japan held that not only opera singer but also customer engineer is an employee under the Act. Conclusions are as follows:First, it is noteworthy that the Supreme Court reaffirmed the principle of all circumstances established by CBC case. The case focused on deciding that who is an employee under the Act. Notwithstanding this holding of the Supreme Court, district courts and courts of appeals, in deciding this kind of question, have emphasized especially on the side of a legal right and obligation on a contract between an employer and a potential employee. Therefore an independent contractor has not been generally recognized as an employee under the Act. However, even though he or she was, as an independent contractor in name, offering its work to his or her putative employer, the Supreme Court applied the principle of all circumstances to both cases and held in favor on the workers on April, in 2011. Second, the Supreme Court failed to make a general legal principle for deciding that who is an employee under the Act. According to the above holdings of the Supreme Court, nobody can anticipate wether he or she is an employee or not in a concrete case. Finally, the Supreme Court did not also make its opinion clearly about the relations between an employee of the Section 3 of the Act and an employee whom an employer employs under the Section 7(2) of the Act. In conclusion, it can be said that the Supreme Court has narrowly and strictly interpreted an employee of the Section 3. That is to say, only where an employee is recognized as an employee of the Section 7(2), the employee will be also an employee of the Section 3. In Japan, however, the majority interprets that an employee by the Section 3 should be distinguished from the employee whom an employer employs by the Section 7(2). Consequently, according to the majority opinions, unemployed persons, students and citizens will be also included in the definition of an employee by the Section 3.

• Journal of Korean Classical Literature and Education
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• no.33
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• pp.211-253
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• 2016

Depending on the class and status, literary works are variously accepted and interpreted. As a result, they show different forms and ways of enjoying the novels and different variations of a text. The only ideal way of investigating and analyzting it is to meet someone who actually lived in that era. This study tries to investigate the enjoying aspects of the classic Korean classical novels by studying how the classical novels have been enjoyed in Northern Gyeong-Buk Area, especially in Cheongsong. It is a follow-up study of cases studies based in Yeongdeok, Uljin. As a result, one can come true the conclusions. In the case of Cheongsong, the Northern Area and Southern Areas show differences in their modes enjoying the Korean classical novels. The Northern Area has a strong expresses self-confidence and pride, and forms solid enjoying groups. However I could hardly find any such cases in the Southern Area. And the entertaining aspects of the classical novels are enjoyed by individuals rather than entertainers. It shows that there have been many difficulties in the culture of in taking-root classical novels as a firm ludic culture in Cheongsong. Furthermore, this survey can identify a duality of entertainers genres conception to enjoying Ga-sa and classic the Korean classical novels. The entertainers who haves read only the classical novels has not hidden ashamed of themselves as readers and entertainersof them. But the entertainers who are proud of the self as enjoyers of Ga-sa tried to dissimulate hide the fact that they read of the classical novels, because they think that a narrativity and fictitiousness, incredibility of the novels are disproportionate inappropriate to their for dignity as members of Yangban(兩班) families, and are in stark contrast to the morality and seriousness of Ga-sa.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.30 no.1_2
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• pp.185-189
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• 2018

Purpose : We evaluated the quality of life satisfaction of patients with radiation therapy while maintaining the set-up line. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 60 patients who visited our clinic in January, 2018. The most common complaint was the inconvenience of not being able to wash during treatment (64 %), and a surgical tape was placed on the Set-up Line to help patients wash during the treatment period. A total of 50 patients who underwent surgical tape were evaluated on a 5-point scale (1 point was very unsatisfactory, 2 points were unsatisfactory, 3 points were average, 4 points were satisfied, 5 points were very satisfied). Forty patients out of 50 responded to the first treatment, and 10 patients underwent treatment. Results : In the first survey, 68 % of the patients and 32 % of the males were aged 34 %, 50~60 % and 38 %, respectively. Treatment areas were breast (57 %), chest (13 %), pelvis (10 %). The results of the second questionnaire after applying the surgical tape showed that 25 of the 40 patients and 15 of the male patients were treated. The treatment area was 22 breast and 18 pelvic areas. In the satisfaction of the 5-point scale, 5 to 15 points were satisfied with 1-3 points, and 4-5 points with 35 points (1 point 2 points, 2 points 2 points, 3 point 1 points, 4 point points 17 point points, % And 43 %, respectively. The results of the questionnaire survey of patients who were applied during the treatment showed that 9 out of 10 women and 1 male were treated. The treatment area was 8 breast and 2 pelvic areas. One point was satisfied with one point, and five points with nine points were satisfied with 90 %. Conclusions : The importance of improving the quality of life of patients with cancer is also important. After applying the surgical tape, 88 % of the patients who started the treatment and 90 % of the patients who applied during the treatment were satisfied. Particularly, patients who applied during treatment showed higher satisfaction. If this is not possible for all patients, selective application to patients with discomfort will be helpful in improving the quality of life of cancer patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2005

Objective: Low-dose aspirin have been proposed to improving endometrial receptivity and pregnancy rate in COH-IVF by increasing endometrial perfusion. However, the effect of low-dose aspirin in COH-IVF could be negligible because there have been large quantity of other important factors responsible for changing endometrial perfusion accompanied by COH procedure. In contrast, in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles which were not accompanied by COH procedure, the effects of low-dose aspirin in endometrial blood flow seems to be more certain than in COH-IVF cycles. In this study, we analyzed the effect of low-dose aspirin treatment on implantation and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer Methods: From January 2003 to December 2003, total 264 cycles from 264 patients who attended infertility clinic at Samsung Cheil Hospital were enrolled in this study. All cases included in this study, embryos were frozen and thawed at the pronuclear stage and three days after incubation, at least 2 or more good quality embryos were transferred into uterus. In study group, low dose aspirin (100 mg/day) was administrated from the first or second date of menstrual day to 9 days after embryo transfer. On the other hand, control group did not take any medicine except estradiol valerate for endometrial priming. Several variables including implantation and pregnancy rates were compared in both groups. After then, each groups were stratified by endometrial thickness checked at embryo transfer (ET) day such as (28 mm versus <8 mm) and same variables above described were compared between study and control groups. Results: The mean age, infertility duration, endometrial thickness at embryo transfer day and mean number of transferred embryo were not significantly different in both groups. Also, implantation rates (study group: 15.8%, control group: 20.5%) and pregnancy rate (study group: 45.1%, control group: 43.5%) were not significantly different between two groups. (p>0.05) After we analyzed same variables stratified by endometrial thickness checked at embryo transfer day, we could not found any significant difference between study and control groups. Conclusions: Low-dose aspirin treatment seems to have no advantage of improving implantation and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.199-207
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• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the decidual NK cell populations between increased pre-conceptional peripheral NK cell population and normal pre-conceptional peripheral NK cell population in women with a history of recurrent abortion. Methods: Fourteen women with history of recurrent abortion and elevated pre-conceptional peripheral NK cell, above 15% of peripheral lymphocyte population were included in this study. As a control, twelve women with history of recurrent abortion and their peripheral NK cell percentage showed below 15% were included. Distribution of $CD56^+$ and $CD16^+$ NK cells in paraffin embedded decidual tissues including implantation sites were examined by immunohistochemical staining using anti-CD56, 16 monoclonal antibodies. After immuohistochemical staining, the numbers of decidual NK cells were counted and compared these results between study and control groups. Results: There was significant difference in decidual $CD56^+$ NK cell count ($170.1{\pm}132.1$ vs. $68.3{\pm}66.1$, p=0.02) between increased peripheral $CD56^+$ NK cell group and control group. But, there showed no statistically significant correlation between decidual $CD56^+$ NK cell count and peripheral $CD56^+$ NK cell percentage (r=0.229, p=0.261). Also there was no statistically difference decidual $CD16^+$ NK cell count between study and control group ($25.70{\pm}11.72$ vs. $31.17{\pm}22.67$), and no correlation between decidual $CD16^+$ NK cell and peripheral $CD16^+$ NK cell percentage (r=-1.40, p=0.535). Conclusions: This study shows that decidual $CD56^+$ NK cell are significantly increased in decidua of women exhibiting a history of recurrent abortion with increased $CD56^+$ peripheral NK cell. This study suggests that the percentage of peripheral NK cell reflect the expression of decidual NK cell. Consequently, pre-conceptional peripheral blood NK cell population can be the useful marker for detecting the risk of subsequent miscarriage.