• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2020

Objective: In this study, specimens from testicular biopsies of men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) were used to investigate whether RNF8 gene could serve as a biomarker to predict the presence of sperm in these patients. Methods: Testicular biopsy specimens from 47 patients were classified according to the presence of sperm (positive vs. negative groups) and investigated for the expression of RNF8. The level of RNF8 gene expression in the testes was compared between these groups using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The expression level of RNF8 was significantly higher in testicular samples from the positive group than in those from the negative group. Moreover, the area under the curve of RNF8 expression for the entire study population was 0.84, showing the discriminatory power of RNF8 expression in differentiating between the positive and negative groups of men with NOA. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that RNF8 expression had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 84%, with a cutoff level of 1.76. Conclusion: This study points out a significant association between the expression of RNF8 and the presence of sperm in NOA patients, which suggests that quantified RNF8 expression in testicular biopsy samples may be a valuable biomarker for predicting the presence of spermatozoa in biopsy samples.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.76-85
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• 2004

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the emotional state and personality characteristics of patient with panic disorder. Methods: Twenty patients with panic disorder, 21 patients with somatoform disorder, and 20 normal healthy controls were studied. Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) and Korean standardized edition of Cattell's 16 Personality Factors Questionnaire(16-PF) were used for assessment. Statistically, One-way ANOVA with Scheffe test were used by SPSS/PC for windows. Results: 1) Total score of BDI was higher in the panic group than the somatoform group and normal control group(p<0.001). 2) Total score of state anxiety and trait anxiety in the panic group was higher than the somatoform group and normal control group(p<0.001). 3) In 16 PF, there were no definitely abnormal range of scores. But in first-stratum source traits of 16PF, the panic group was higher than the somatoform group and normal healthy group in O-factor (p<0.01) and Q4-factor(p<0.001). In second-stratum source traits of 16PF, the panic group was higher than the somatoform group in ANX-factor(p<0.05), but lower than normal control group in TOUfactor(p<0.05). 4) There were no differences in the panic subgroup according to sex and cutoff points of BDI score 16 and STAI-T score 54. 5) According to cutoff point of STAI-S score 52, the panic subgroup above 52 was higher than the panic subgroup under 52 in G-factor(p<0.001), Q3-factor(p<0.05) and SUP-factor(p<0.001), but lower in L-factor(p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that emotional state of patients with panic disorder are depressive and anxious as compared with patients with somatoform disorder and normal controls. Patients with panic disorder did not show any abnormal personality characteristics but were more guilt-prone, anxious, emotionally sensitive. We propose that the understanding of panic patients' emotional state and personality characteristics will helpful to treat and manage in patient with panic disorder.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3931-3936
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• 2013

Background: Iran is a country with very high incidences of stomach cancer, especially in Northern parts. Here we assessed prognostic value of serum screening biomarkers among people >50 years old for early detection of precancerous lesions in a hot spot for gastric carcinoma in Guilan Province, North Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted on 1,390 residents of Lashtenasha city with the mean age (SD) of 61.8 (9.02) years old (50.8% females) to assess the association of gastrin and the pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratio with premalignant gastric lesions. Blood samples were taken for CBC, blood group, and serologic exams (PGI, PGII, and gastrin 17) from each subject. Expert gastroenterologists performed upper GI endoscopy and ROC curves were generated to determine appropriate cutoff points. Results: Mean values of PGI, PGII, PGI/PGII and gastrin were significantly different between patients with and without atrophy or metaplasia (P<0.05). To diagnose atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, a significantly higher AUC was observed for the PGI/PGII ratio (70 and 72%, respectively) compared to the PGI (56, 55%), PGII (63, 64%) and gastrin (59, 61%) (all p<0.001). Conclusions: Biomarker tests such as the PGI/II ratio can be used in the screening and diagnosis of subjects at high gastric cancer risk in our region.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Bentonite has been generally used as vertical cutoff barrier material and reported to have several problems regarding its low workability, drying shrinkage cracking by particle cohesion, and ineffective waterproof ability under sea water condition. In this study, the particle sealant, the furnace slag coated by the mixture of bentonite, sepiolite and guargum, was developed to compensate these weak points and the hydraulic conductivity of the particle sealant was evaluated. Drying shrinkage cracking and swelling index was estimated to find the optimal mixing ratio of bentonite, sepiolite and guargum. The hydraulic conductivity of the particle sealants having different amount of sealant (bentonite-sepioliteguargum mixture) coating the furnace slag was estimated using the rigid wall permeameter and flexible wall permeameter. The results showed that drying shrinkage cracking was not found in the bentonite-sepiolite mixture with 20% sepiolite contents and the results from free swelling tests for the sealant having 1 : 0.025, 1 : 0.05 and 1 : 0.075 of weight ratios of bentonite-sepiolite mixture and guargum under simulated sea water condition were higher than those for the bentonitesepiolite mixture without guargum under tap water condition. These three sealants were coated on the furnace slag with 50% and 60% of sealant in the particle sealant and the hydraulic conductivity was estimated. In the cases of the particle sealants having 20% sepiolite in the bentonite-sepiolite mixture and 1 : 0.075 weight ratio of the bentonite-sepiolite mixture and guargum, the hydraulic conductivity from the rigid wall permeameter was below $1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ cm/sec under simulated sea water condition. The hydraulic conductivity of the particle sealant having $1.0{\times}10^{-6}$~$1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ cm/sec by the rigid wall permeameter was estimated using the flexible wall permeameter and found to be below $1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ cm/sec.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.3-17
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• 2017

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common and painful complication of acute herpes zoster. In some cases, it is refractory to medical treatment. Preventing its occurrence is an important issue. We hypothesized that applying nerve blocks during the acute phase of herpes zoster could reduce PHN incidence by attenuating central sensitization and minimizing nerve damage and the anti-inflammatory effects of local anesthetics and steroids. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of using nerve blocks to prevent PHN. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and KoreaMed databases without language restrictions on April, 30 2014. We included all randomized controlled trials performed within 3 weeks after the onset of herpes zoster in order to compare nerve blocks vs active placebo and standard therapy. Results: Nine trials were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Nerve blocks reduced the duration of herpes zoster-related pain and PHN incidence of at 3, 6, and 12 months after final intervention. Stellate ganglion block and single epidural injection did not achieve positive outcomes, but administering paravertebral blockage and continuous/repeated epidural blocks reduced PHN incidence at 3 months. None of the included trials reported clinically meaningful serious adverse events. Conclusions: Applying nerve blocks during the acute phase of the herpes zoster shortens the duration of zoster-related pain, and somatic blocks (including paravertebral and repeated/continuous epidural blocks) are recommended to prevent PHN. In future studies, consensus-based PHN definitions, clinical cutoff points that define successful treatment outcomes and standardized outcome-assessment tools will be needed.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.167-171
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to determine the usefulness of serum pepsinogen (PG) levels as a screening method for gastric cancer, and to assess the relationships between serum PG and clinicopathologic factors of gastric adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Serum PG concentrations were measured in 94 subjects who were classified into (a) a control group (50 subjects) without abnormal endoscopic finding on a health checkup, or (b) a gastric cancer group (44 subjects) who had surgery at Daegu Catholic University Hospital between Nov. 2008 and May 2009. Receiver operator characteristic curves were utilized to select the most suitable test. Using different cutoff points, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. We compared preoperative serum PG levels with several clinicopathologic findings for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Results: The Serum PG I：II ratio was the most useful as a screening test. The sensitivity and specificity of PG screening for gastric cancer were, respectively, 81.8% and 82%. The cut off point correlated with the type of intestinal cancer (Lauren classification; P=0.003), tumor stage (P=0.001), and gastric adenocarcinoma with peritumoral chronic atrophic gastritis (P=0.036). Conclusion: Serum PG levels were found to be a potentially useful screening test and to correlate with clinicopathologic factors in gastric cancer patients. But, in order to use serum PG found in a health checkup for gastric cancer as a clinical application a large scale study is recommended.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.7-22
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• 2011

With the accumulations of outcomes from archaeological excavations of mountain fortress of three kingdoms period, there have been studies about time-periodic territory range of mountain fortress, difference in the way(method) of construction, defence system and so on from various points of view. This is an empirical study on the construction method of the valley part of stone fortress. First of all, it is required to secure large quantity of fresh water for those who lived at mountain fortress. Especially when builders of fortress construct a fortification at the valley part of stone fortress, in advance they must sufficiently consider several options including the establishment of sustainable water resources. First, when it comes to build a fortification on a ridge[or a slope] of a mountain, you have only to consider a vertical stress. However, when it comes to build a fortification at the valley part of a mountain, You must have more sufficient preparations for the constructing process. Because there are not only a vertical stress but also a horizontal pressure simultaneously. Second, a fortification of mountain fortress built by using unit building stone is a structure of masonry construction like brick construction, and the valley part of it is where the construction of the fortification begins. Third, when it comes to build a fortification at the valley part of a mountain, it seems that they use a temporary method such as coffer dam in oder to prevent the collapse of the fortification due to heavy rain. Furthermore, in response to a horizontal pressure a fortification is built by the way of its plane make an arch, or by piling up the soil with the plate method(類似版築) and earthen wall harder method(敷葉) they increase cross-sectional area of the fortification and its cutoff capacity. In front direction they put the reservoir facility for the fear that the hydraulic pressure and earth pressure are directly transmitted to the fortification. The process of constructing the fortification at the valley part of a mountain is done in the same oder as follows; leveling of ground(整地) ${\Rightarrow}$ construction of coffer dam ${\Rightarrow}$ construction of the fortification between the both banks of the valley ${\Rightarrow}$ construction of the fortification at bottom part of spill way(餘水路) between the both banks of the valley ${\Rightarrow}$ construction of spill way(餘水路) & reservoir facility ${\Rightarrow}$ construction of the fortification at upper part of spill way between the both banks of the valley. Coffer dam facility seems to be not only the protection device on occasion of flood but also an important criterion to measure the proper height of spill way or tailrace(放水路). This study has a meaningful significance in that it empirically examines the method of reduction of the horizontal pressure which the fortification at the valley part of a mountain takes, the date the construction was done, and wether the changes in climate such as heavy rainfall influence the process of construction.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.415-419
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• 2005

Objectives : We wanted to evaluate the relationship between obesity and left colonic adenomatous polyps in Korean adult men. Methods : This study was conducted among 575 adults men (aged between 40 and 69), who had colonoscopy done from January to December 2002 during a routine health examination at Health Promotion Center, Ulsan University Hospital. The patients' colons were examined up to splenic flexure by using fiberoptic colonoscopy. A questionnaire survey on behavioral factors and physical measurements were also done. The body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were used as the indices of obesity. The BMI was categorized into three levels: normal ($BMI{\leq}22.9$), overweight ($23{\leq}BMI{\leq}24.9$), and obese ($BMI{\geq}25.0$). The WHR was categorized into four levels with cutoff points at the 30th, 60th, and 90th percentile of the control group. Age, education, smoking, alcohol use and exercise were controlled for by performing multiple logistic regression analysis. Results : There were 99 cases of colonic adenomatous polyps. Four hundred seventy six subjects with normal colonoscopy findings served as the control. The BMI and WHR were associated with the adenomatous polyps (odds ratio, 1.81 [95% CI=1.02-3.19] for a $BMI{\geq}25.0$ as compared with a $BMI{\leq}22.9$, odds ratio, 3.94 [95% CI=1.77-8.77] for a $WHR{\geq}0.95$ as compared with a $WHR{\leq}0.86$). The BMI was not associated with the risk of adenomatous polyps after additional adjustment was made for the WHR, but the association between the WHR and adenomatous polyps was still positive and independent of the BMI (odds ratio, 4.15 [95% CI=1.63-10.59]). Conclusions : The results support that obesity, and particularly abdominal obesity, can be associated with an increased risk of incurring colonic adenomatous polyps.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.16 no.4 s.50
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• pp.393-402
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• 2006

The contamination characteristics of BTEX and TPH components in silty soils with the oil leakage event from point source were studied. The over ratios of three soil pollution standard for TPH component were $1.5{\sim}1.7$ times higher than that of BTEX component. The mean and maximum values of BTEX and TPH components with sample points were B-zone > A-zone > C-zone, and the highest concentrations were measured at $1{\sim}2m$ depth below surface. BTEX and TPH components were increased with linear distance in zone within 120 m and 80 m from point source. For the zone more than 120 m, BTEX and TPH concentrations were under soil pollution standard. The cutoff values of indicator kriging using BTEX and TPH components were defined as confirmative limit, warn- ing limit and counterplan limit. The variograms of indicator-transformed data were selected linear model. The contamination ranges of BTEX and TPH components using confirmative limit and warning limit were estimated similar, but the contamination range of those using counterplan limit was much reduced. The maximum contamination probabilities were estimated by probability maps usinB confirmative limit, warning limit and counterplan limit. The maximum contamination probabilities with three soil pollution standard were estimated 26%, 26% and 13% for BTEX component, and 44%, 38% and 26% for TPH component.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1161-1171
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate diffusion tensor (DT) imaging-derived properties of benign oligemia, true "at risk" penumbra (TP), and the infarct core (IC) during the first 3 hours of stroke onset. Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the local animal care and use committee. DT imaging data were obtained from 14 rats after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) using a 7T magnetic resonance scanner (Bruker) in room air. Relative cerebral blood flow and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated to define oligemia, TP, IC, and normal tissue (NT) every 30 minutes up to 3 hours. Relative fractional anisotropy (rFA), pure anisotropy (rq), diffusion magnitude (rL), ADC (rADC), axial diffusivity (rAD), and radial diffusivity (rRD) values were derived by comparison with the contralateral normal brain. Results: The mean volume of oligemia was $24.7{\pm}14.1mm^3$, that of TP was $81.3{\pm}62.6mm^3$, and that of IC was $123.0{\pm}85.2mm^3$ at 30 minutes after pMCAO. rFA showed an initial paradoxical 10% increase in IC and TP, and declined afterward. The rq, rL, rADC, rAD, and rRD showed an initial discrepant decrease in IC (from -24% to -36%) as compared with TP (from -7% to -13%). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in metrics, except rFA, were found between tissue subtypes in the first 2.5 hours. The rq demonstrated the best overall performance in discriminating TP from IC (accuracy = 92.6%, area under curve = 0.93) and the optimal cutoff value was -33.90%. The metric values for oligemia and NT remained similar at all time points. Conclusion: Benign oligemia is small and remains microstructurally normal under pMCAO. TP and IC show a distinct evolution of DT-derived properties within the first 3 hours of stroke onset, and are thus potentially useful in predicting the fate of ischemic brain.