• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.17-22
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Nitric oxide (NO) has been known as an important regulator of osteoblasts and periodontal ligament cell activity. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between NO-mediated cell death of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist (+)-5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine hydrogen maleate (MK801). Methods: Human PDLFs were treated with various concentrations (0 to 4 mM) of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) with or without $200\;{\mu}M$ MK801 in culture media for 16 hours and the cell medium was then removed and replaced by fresh medium containing MTS reagent for cell proliferation assay. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the effects of SNP on the expression of Bax, cytochrome c, and caspase-3 proteins. The differences for each value among the sample groups were compared using analysis of variance with 95% confidence intervals. Results: In the case of SNP treatment, as a NO donor, cell viability was significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, a synergistic effect was shown when both SNP and NMDA receptor antagonist was added to the medium. SNP treated PDLFs exhibited a round shape in culture conditions and were dramatically reduced in cell number. SNP treatment also increased levels of apoptotic marker protein, such as Bax and cytochrome c, and reduced caspase-3 in PDLFs. Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling was activated by treatment of SNP and NMDA receptor antagonist. Conclusions: These results suggest that excessive production of NO may induce apoptosis and that NMDA receptor may modulate NO-induced apoptosis in PDLFs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.497-504
• /
• 2008

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to report prevalence and to identify risk factors of subclinical mastitis of dairy cattle in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Among 325 dairy farms of the district 12 farms(3.7%) were selected conveniently for this study. All the dairy cows of the 12 farms were selected for sample collection. Fresh milk samples from each of the selected dairy cows were collected aseptically in separate sterilized test tube as RF, RH, LF and LH quarter of the udder. Rapid modified White Side Test(WST) was used to detect subclinical mastitis(SCM). Results of WST and data derived from filled in questionnaire were entered in Microsoft Excel 2003 and transferred to $STATA^{(R)}$, version 8.0/Intercooled(Stata Corporation, Texas, USA, 2003). The overall prevalence of SCM and its distribution in different categories of variables in cow and their exact binomial 95% confidence intervals were calculated in $STATA^{(R)}$. Simple bivariable associations among independent variables were investigated by $x^2$ test in $STATA^{(R)}$. Multiple logistic regression analysis with backward elimination method was used to identify risk factors of SCM. To identify significant variation in quarter SCM, linear regression analysis was performed after arcsine transformation of the data. The overall prevalence of SCM found in this study is 54%. Dairy cows with teat lesions had significantly increased SCM(OR=12342, P value=0.000, 95% CI=762, 199798) than others without teat lesions. The Holstein Friesian X Jersey X Sahiwal breed has significantly decreased(OR=0.18, p=0.03, 95% CI 0.04, 0.85) SCM than other breeds. The prevalence of SCM found in this study is in agreement with others. The injury in the teat increases the probability of getting infected with microbes and thereby mastitis. If the prevalence of teat lesion can be decreased the probability of subclinical mastitis will also be decreased. The negatively associated Holstein Friesian X Jersey X Sahiwall breed may help in planning mastitis control program if this finding can be validated by a more powerful case-control or cohort study design.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.491-501
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare concentrations and the correspondence of human blood cadmium by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), which are representative methods of heavy metal analysis. Methods: We randomly selected 79 people who agreed to participate in the research project. After confirming the linearity of the calibration curves for GF-AAS and ICP-MS, the concentrations of cadmium in a quality control standard material and blood samples were measured, and the correlation and the degree of agreement were compared. Results: The detection limit of ICP-MS (IDL: $0.000{\mu}g/L$, MDL: $0.06{\mu}g/L$) was lower than that of GF-AAS (IDL: $0.085{\mu}g/L$, MDL: $0.327{\mu}g/L$). The coefficient of variation of the quality control standard material showed stable values for both ICP-MS (clinchek-1: 5.35%, clinchek-2: 6.22%) and GF-AAS (clinchek-1: 7.92%, clinchek-2: 5.22%). Recovery was relatively high for both ICP-MS (clinchek-1: 95.1%, clinchek-2: 92.8%) and GF-AAS (clinchek-1: 91.4%, clinchek-2: 98.8%), with more than 90%. The geometric mean, median, and percentile of blood samples were all similar. The agreement of the two instruments compared with the bias of the analytical values found that about 81% of the analytical values were within ${\pm}30%$ of the deviation from the ideal reference line (y=0). As a result of the agreement limit, the value included in the confidence interval was about 94%, which shows high agreement. Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed there was no significant difference in concentrations of a quality control standard material and blood samples. Since ICP-MS showed lower concentrations than GF-AAS at concentrations below the method detection limit of GF-AAS, it is expected that more precise results will be obtained by analyzing blood cadmium with ICP-MS.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.31 no.1 s.60
• /
• pp.27-48
• /
• 1998

This study was conducted to integrate the results of studies which evaluated or identified the risk factors of CVD(cerebrovascular disorders) for Koreans. We retrieved the literature published in Korean by manual search and the English literature by Medline database to identify studies on the relationship between reported risk factors and CVD conducted for the Korean from 1980 to August, 1997. Hypertension and total serum cholesterol were selected as subjects of quantitative meta-analysis on risk factors of CVD in Koreans. The overall effect sizes of the risk of CVD due to hypertension and total serum cholesterol were calculated by common odds ratio(OR) and average standardized mean difference, retrospectively. Before the integration of each effect sizes into common effect sizes, the heterogeneity tests were conducted. Also, sensitivity tests were conducted for the estimated common effect sizes. Regarding hypertension and CVD, a total of 9 epidemiologic studies were identified with a total of 2,271 cases of CVD. The overall OR of hypertension associated CVD was 4.10(95% confidence interval[CI] 3.56 to 4.71). The OR of hypertension associated with hemorrhagic CVD and ischemic CVD were 6.56(95% CI : 4.92 to 8.80) and 3.28 (95% CI : 2.77 to 3.90), retrospectively. The OR of hypertension in relation to hemorrhagic CVD was significantly higher than that of hypertension in relation to overall CVD or ischemic CVD. Regarding total serum cholesterol and ischemic CVD, total 9 epidemiologic studies were identified with a total of 843 cases of ischemic CVD. Average mean difference as an effect size was 0.76, which was judged an important value according to Cohen's criteria. Our data suggested that hypertension was an important risk factor of overall CVD and its subtypes, and that the total serum cholesterol was associated with ischemic CVD in Koreans. For the lack of reliable prospective studies, however, we concluded that further research designed longitudinally would be required in this area.

• Journal of Science Education
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.41-56
• /
• 2014

This study has developed STEAM educational program designed to cultivate topophilia using Jeonbuk educational resources and applied the program to a science camp. Topophilia is a sense of attachment and nostalgia towards one's birth place and specific objects, which can create positive affection and act as motivations for learning to the students. We developed a 32-hour STEAM program which consisted of 8 experiential activities and 2 travel programs including Gochujang, Hanok Village, a reverse ice spikes in Mai Mountain, and art works by Choi Book. In particular, we emphasized the fun of class, voluntary learning, and process of attaching significance by providing aesthetic and emotional experience of synesthesia. As a result of application, the students' level of confidence(Likert scale level 4, 2.5 points) in science and the level of interests(3.3 points) have improved. The pleasant experience of voluntary learning and active participation in class provided meaningful memories through value recognition and significance ascription. 93.3% of the students participated said they would recommend the Topophilia science camp to their peers. The level of satisfaction overall was 3.8 points(Likert scale level 5) and the program received positive evaluations that the class was fun and interesting(4.1 points).

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.8-12
• /
• 2016

Background: The decision to administer oral anticoagulation therapy depends on accurate assessment of stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Various stroke risk stratification schemes have been developed to help inform clinical decision making. The CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores have been used in estimating the risk of stroke in patients with AF. Recently R2CHA2DS2-VASc score was developed. The objective of the current study is to validate the usefulness of the R2CHA2DS2-VASc score and to compare the accuracy of the CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores in predicting a patient's risk of stroke. Methods: Based on medical records, we conducted a retrospective study of patients hospitalized with AF from March 2011 to July 2013. A total of 448 AF patients were included in this study. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in MedCalc was used for comparison with respective diagnostic values. Results: The patient characteristics showed male predominance (60.9%). Among the 448 AF patients, 131 (29.2%) patients had strokes during the study. A R2CHA2DS2-VASc score of more than 5 is the optimal cut-off value for prediction of stroke. A risk score of three, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of R2CHA2DS2-VASc score (AUC 0.631; 95% confidence interval, 0.585-0.679) was the highest. A significant difference was observed between AUC for R2CHA2DS2-VASc, CHADS2, and CHA2DS2-VASc scores, but no meaningful difference between CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Conclusion: We determined the usefulness of the R2CHA2DS2-VASc score, which showed better association with stroke than the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.13-30
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to explore the role orientation that librarians are expected to carry during their career-life. More specifically, this study examined the pattern of librarians subjectivism related to attitude, belief, and confidence. Q questions were made of 36 items, including personal value system and role attitude. P sample included 23 librarians. Data were collected for 8 days (from April 15, 2005 to April 22, 2005). Analyses showed the following results. First, librarians role orientations were classified into 3 types: user-centered orientation, organization-centered orientation, and expertise-centered orientation. (1) The first type librarians were interested in having good relationships with users, while emphasizing the importance of providing good services to the users. (2) The second type of librarians were concerned with social function of the library, while placing highlight on their roles as organizational members. Among them, achievement evaluation was regarded as an important indicator of personal success. They were interested in having stable organizational culture, as well as economic growth of libraries. This orientation was dominant among married members. (3) The third type of librarians focused on librarians role implementation and professional achievement. They showed interest not only in the improvement of librarians creativity and the growth of expertises, but also the expansion of retraining opportunities. This orientation was conspicuous among female librarians. Second, several commonalities and differences were consistently found among librarians. The first type was interested in user-centered orientation(user contact, need satisfaction, self dignity, etc.). The second type was interested in organization-centered orientation(creativity, expertise growth, retraining opportunity, professional achievement. self-respect, etc.).

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.102-115
• /
• 2017

This study, focused on customers of tourist industry events, aims to examine the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The overall explanatory power ($R^2$) on the dependent variable 'customer satisfaction' in relation to service quality was found to be 47.1%, and the overall explanatory power($R^2$) on the dependent variable 'customer loyalty' in relation to service quality was 36.6%. The F-test, which was conducted to determine the statistical significance of the above regression equation, showed a value of 157.599, thus confirming the statistical significance of the regression equation on how service quality affects customer loyalty. The t-test, was conducted to determine the statistically significant variables of service quality of tourism industry events (t=5.359, p= .000). Furthermore, the analysis showed that customer satisfaction had a positive (+) influence on customer loyalty (t=12.554, p= .000). Therefore the hypothesis that the quality of service affects customer satisfaction and loyalty was supported. As a result, it was found that the higher the level of service quality, tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, confidence empathy, and event quality, the higher the customer satisfaction level.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.12
• /
• pp.4933-4938
• /
• 2014

Background: Although various tumor markers have been utilized in management of stomach cancer (SC), only a few reports have described relevance of examples such as CYFRA 21-1 and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential diagnostic performance of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, CA72-4, CYFRA 21-1 and NSE in patients with SC. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six SC patients with pathologic confirmation between 2012 and 2013 were enrolled. Serum levels of five tumor markers were analyzed using a solid-phase immunoradiometric assay. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for the five tumor markers to investigate their diagnostic powers and adjusted cutoff values derived from analysis of ROC curves were evaluated to calculate the sensitivity of each for SC with recommended cutoff values. Results: Based on two different cutoff values (recommended and adjusted), CYFRA 21-1 (${\geq}2.0$ and 1.2 ng/ml) had a respective sensitivity of 50% and 78.1%, compared with 8.3% and 18.8% for CEA (${\geq}7.0$ and 3.9 ng/ml), 15.6% and 18.8% for CA 19-9 (${\geq}37$ and 26.7 ng/ml), 28.1% and 9.6% for CA 72-4 (${\geq}4.0$ and 13 ng/ml) and 7.3% and 7.3% for NSE (${\geq}14.7$ and 15.0 ng/ml) in the initial staging of primary SC. The area under the curve (AUC) for CYFRA 21-1, with a value of 0.978 (95% confidence interval, 0.964-0.991) was comparatively the highest. Univariate analysis revealed significant relationships between tumor marker level and lymph node involvement, metastasis and staging with CYFRA 21-1, CA 72-4 and NSE. Conclusions: CYFRA 21-1 was the most sensitive tumor marker and showed the most powerful diagnostic performance among the five SC tumor markers. NSE and CA 72-4 are significantly related to lymph node involvement, metastasis or stage. Further evaluations are warranted to clarify the clinical usefulness and prognostic prediction of these markers in SC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.22
• /
• pp.9661-9666
• /
• 2014

Background: A number of studies have identified a shared susceptibility locus in phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas (GCA). However, the results of PLCE1 expression in esophageal and gastric cancer remain inconsistent and controversial. Moreover, the effects on clinicopathological features remain undetermined. This study aimed to provide a precise quantification of the association between PLCE1 expression and the risk of ESCC and GCA through meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Eligible studies were identified from PubMed, Wanfang Data, ISI Web of Science, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Using RevMan5.2 software, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to assess the association of PLCE1 expression with clinicopathological features relative to ESCC or GCA. Results: Seven articles were identified, including 761 esophageal and gastric cancer cases and 457 controls. Overall, we determined that PLCE1 expression was associated with tumor progression in both esophageal cancers (pooled OR=5.93; 95%CI=3.86 to 9.11) and gastric cancers (pooled OR=9.73; 95%CI=6.46 to 14.7). Moreover, invasion depth (pooled OR=3.62; 95%CI=2.30 to 5.70) and lymph node metastasis (pooled OR=4.21; 95%CI=2.69 to 6.59) were linked with PLCE1 expression in gastric cancer. However, no significant associations were determined between PLCE1 overexpression and the histologic grade, invasion depth, and lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer. Conclusions: Our metaanalysis results indicated that upregulated PLCE1 is significantly associated with an increased risk of tumor progression in ESCC and GCA. Therefore, PLCE1 expression can be appropriately regarded as a promising biomarker for ESCC and GCA patients.