• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.254-261
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• 2022

Background: The use of systemic steroids for 6+ weeks in children is associated with decreased bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD). However, the effects of a shorter duration of use on BMD are unknown. Purpose: To determine the effect of the use of systemic steroids for 2-6 weeks on BMD and BMC in pediatric patients. Methods: Twenty-five pediatric patients (21 with tuberculosis, 2 with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 1 with inflammatory bowel disease, 1 with autoimmune hemolytic anemia) who received systemic steroids for 2-6 weeks and 25 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. BMC, BMD, and z scores of the whole body (WB), lumbar spine (LS), nondominant distal radius (DR), and total body less the head (TBLH) were determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline, the end of steroid therapy or 6 weeks (whichever was earlier; first follow-up), and at the end of 3 months from baseline (second follow-up) in patients and at baseline in controls. The values were adjusted for confounding variables. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using Student t test and the chi-square test or Fisher exact test, respectively. Pairwise comparisons employed Bonferroni correction. Results: Statistically significant decreases in BMC, BMD, and all z scores were observed. BMC declined by 5.37%, 2.08%, 1.82%, and 2.27%, and 11.42%, 3.75%, 3.34%, and 4.17% for WB, LS, DR, and TBLH, respectively, at the first and second follow-ups, respectively. Similarly, BMD declined by 2.01%, 2.31%, 2.18%, and 1.70% and 4.59%, 3.76%, 3.14%, and 3.50% for the WB, LS, DR, and TBLH, respectively, at the first and second follow-ups, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found among bone densitometric parameters, duration, and cumulative dose. Conclusion: The use of systemic steroids for 2-6 weeks in pediatric patients decreased the BMD and BMC of trabecular and cortical bones, an effect that persisted after discontinuation.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2006

Recently, interests and utilization on Computed Radiography(CR) and Digital Radiography(DR) tends to increase owing to an introduction of Picture Archiving and Communication System(PACS) and an accuracy control of special medical equipment for a breast imaging examination. This study was intended to compare and analyze a detector's imaging quality by each system to be used for the breast imaging examination by using ACR Phantom used at the accuracy control. As an evaluation method, a significance and reliability of image's value using the ACR Phantom was analyzed by using SPSS program. The results are followed. 1. For the fiber, there was 3.9 score in Screen-Film, 4.2 score in CR($50{\mu}m$), 3.2 score in CR($100{\mu}m$), and 4.2 score in DR. There was the high score in the order of CR($50{\mu}m$), DR, Screen-Film, and CR($100{\mu}m$)(P<0.05). 2. For the calcification, there was 2.7 score in Screen-Film, 2.5 score in CR($50{\mu}m$), 2.0 score in CR($100{\mu}m$), and 2.9 score in DR. There was the high score in the order of DR, Screen-Film, CR($50{\mu}m$), and CR($100{\mu}m$).(0.025(P<0.05). 3. For Mass, there was 3.8 score in Screen-Film, 3.8 score in CR($50{\mu}m$), 3.6 score in CR($100{\mu}m$), and 4.5 score in DR. There was the high score in the order of DR, CR($50{\mu}m$), Screen-Film, and CR($100{\mu}m$) (P<0.1). 4. As the total score, there was 10.4 score in Screen-Film, 10.6 score in CR($50{\mu}m$), 8.7 score in CR($100{\mu}m$), and 11.3 score in DR. There was the high score in the order of DR, $CR(50{\mu}m$), Screen-Film, and $CR(100{\mu}m$). As shown in the above results, it can be known that DR and Screen-Film System has higher image quality than CR. But, DR has unstability caused by element, and Screen-Film has the low image quality caused by artifact as disadvantages. When Dual-Side CR($50{\mu}m$) was used among CR systems which had the problem of low image quality, it was indicated that there was no difference with Screen-Film System. Because the radiation imaging examination tends to become digitalized, each system for the breast imaging examination will need to be developed and supplemented.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2409-2412
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• 2015

Purpose: We aimed to study the inflammatory parameters of complete blood count in breast cancer cases. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study covered 178 breast cancer patients and 107 age and body mass index matched healthy women. Complete blood count parameters, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and MPV/platelet were analyzed. Results: The leukocyte, neutrophil and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were higher in the patient group (p values 0.001, 0.0001 and 0.0001, respectively) while haemoglobin and hematocrit were higher in the control group (p=0.0001 for both). Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated neutrophils and platelet distribution width (PDW) (OR: 0.627, 95%CI: 0.508-0.774, p=0.001 and OR: 1.191 95%CI: 1.057-1.342 p=0.003) were independent variables for predicting breast cancer. The cut-off value for the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was 2.56. Conclusions: According to our study results, neutrophil levels as part of complete blood count may be used as an independent predictor of breast cancer risk.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2022

There have been few reports on extra-enteric infections by Blastocystis STs and none have been molecularly identified in samples from human reproductive organs. We report for the first time the identification of 3 different subtypes of Blastocystis (ST1-3) in vaginal and sperm samples, from patients infected with Trichomonas vaginalis. Blastocystis STs were identified by PCR-sequencing and by phylogenetic inferences using 28 vaginal swab samples and 7 sperm samples from patients trichomoniasis. Blastocystis STs were identified in 6 of 28 vaginal swabs (21.4%) and in 3 of 7 sperm samples (42.8%). In both biological samples, STs 1-3 were found; one vaginal sample showed subtype co-infection with ST1 and ST3. High genetic variation was observed in the sequences obtained and no specific clustering in the phylogenetic trees was detected. Most of the haplotypes identified were placed far from the main dispersal centers. Our finding suggested that incorrect cleaning of the genital area or a contamination by combination of anal and vaginal intercourse.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10867-10869
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• 2015

Background: There are various patient and professional factors responsible for the delay in start of treatment (SOT) for head and neck cancers (HNC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on data for HNC patients registered at the hospital cancer registry in North-East India. All cases diagnosed during the period of January 2010 to December 2012 were considered for the present analysis. Educational levels of all patients were clustered into 3 groups; illiterates (unable to read or write), qualified (school or high school level education), and highly qualified (college and above). Results: In the present analysis 1066 (34.6%) patients were illiterates, 1,869 (60.6%) patients were literates and 145 (4.7%) of all patients with HNC were highly qualified. The stage at diagnosis were stage I, seen in 62 (34.6%), stage II in 393 (12.8%), stage III in 1,371 (44.5%) and stage IV in 1,254 (40.7%). The median time (MT) to the SOT from date of attending cancer hospital (DOACH) was, in illiterate group MT was 18 days, whereas in the qualified group of patients it was 15 days and in the highly qualified group was 10 days. Analysis of variance showed there was a significant difference on the mean time for the delay in SOT from DOACH for different educational levels (F=9.923, p=0.000). Conclusions: Educational level is a patient related factor in the delays for the SOT in HNCs in our population.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.2157-2165
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• 2017

This study deals with the design of the mechanism in which demand response (DR) resources are traded in the power generation market. In general, a DR aggregator (DRA), which extends DR resources and provides technical support, is central to this mechanism. In this study, power users, called DR customer (DRC), participate in load reduction and are also modeled to participate directly in DR-related bidding. The DRA provides incentives to the DRC, indirectly impacting the market, and the DRC use the bid parameters strategically. We present the conditions for finding Nash Equilibrium (NE) in game problems of various participants including market operators, and analyze the characteristics of DRA and DRC related models. It also analyzes the impact of the participants on the market according to various types of competition and coalitions between DRA and DRC.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1657-1660
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• 2010

An efficient and novel one-pot synthesis of new 3,4-dihydro-3-substituted-2H-naphtho[2,1-e][1,3]oxazine derivatives from 1-naphthol, various anilines and formalin at room temperature grinding is presented. The six-membered N,O-heterocyclic skeleton was constructed via zirconyl(IV) chloride promoted Mannich type reaction. In vitro antimicrobial activities of synthesized compounds have been investigated against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis, Gram negative Escherichia coli and two fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger in comparison with standard drugs. The results of preliminary bioassay indicate that some of title compounds possess significant antibacterial and antifungal activity.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1856-1860
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• 2012

$SnO_2/SiO_2$ nanocomposite has been synthesized by using sol-gel method. Prepared catalytic materials has been well characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer-Emmer-Teller (BET) surface area, and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia ($NH_3$-TPD). $SnO_2/SiO_2$ nanocomposite catalyzed synthesis of 2-arylbenzothiazoles by the cyclocondensation of 2-aminothiophenol and aromatic aldehydes under reflux condition in 1:1 EtOH:$H_2O$. After completion of the reaction, catalyst can be recovered efficiently and reused with consistent activity.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.160-167
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• 2020

This study analyzes the effects of changes in running velocity and slope on the biomechanical factors of the lower limb joints. For this purpose, 15 adult males in their 20s ran according to changes in running speed (2.7, 3.3 m/s) and slope ( -9°, -6°, 0°, 6°, 9°) on the treadmill, and their running characteristics (stride length, stride frequency). The range of motion of the lower limb joint and the vertical ground reaction force were greater in UR (p <.05), and the moment of the lower limb joint, braking force, thrust and load factor was large in DR (p <.05). In joint power, the ankle joint was greater in DR, and hip joint was greater in the UR (p <.05). These results show that the injuries of the ankle joint will be greater than other cases when running DR at a speed of 3.3 m/s.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.6 no.10
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• pp.928-935
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• 2000

In order to improve the performance of a GPS/DR integration system, the error sources of DR sensors should be modeled accurately, This results in the increases in the dimension of the integration filter and, consequently, computational load becomes large. To reduce the computational load, suggested in this paper is a decoupled GPS/DR integration scheme that consists of two cascaded Kalman filters. The GPS velocity output is used in the first filter to calibrate the DR sensor and to fix the velocity as well. The velocity from the first filter is fed to the second filter where the position is corrected using the GPS position output. Experimental results show that the proposed integration scheme has positioning performance comparable to the conventional coupled one, while its computation is reduced to about 2/3.