• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.559-567
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• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the impact of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) before confirmatory prostate biopsy in patients under active surveillance (AS). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 170 patients with Gleason grade 6 prostate cancer initially enrolled in an AS program between 2011 and 2019. Prostate mpMRI was performed using a 1.5 tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging system with a 16-channel phased-array body coil. The protocol included T1-weighted, T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging sequences. Uroradiology reports generated by a specialist were based on prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) version 2. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on regression models. Results: The reclassification rate at confirmatory biopsy was higher in patients with suspicious lesions on mpMRI (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) (n = 47) than in patients with non-suspicious mpMRIs (n = 61) and who did not undergo mpMRIs (n = 62) (66%, 26.2%, and 24.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) was associated (adjusted odds ratio: 4.72) with the risk of reclassification at confirmatory biopsy after adjusting for the main variables (age, prostate-specific antigen density, number of positive cores, number of previous biopsies, and clinical stage). Presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.62) was also associated with the risk of progression to active treatment during the follow-up. Conclusion: Inclusion of mpMRI before the confirmatory biopsy is useful to stratify the risk of reclassification during the biopsy as well as to evaluate the risk of progression to active treatment during follow-up.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1240-1252
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• 2021

Objective: To compare the accuracy for detecting breast cancer in the diagnostic setting between the use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), defined as DBT alone or combined DBT and digital mammography (DM), and the use of DM alone through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, Cochrane Library and five Korean local databases were searched for articles published until March 25, 2020. We selected studies that reported diagnostic accuracy in women who were recalled after screening or symptomatic. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. A bivariate random effects model was used to estimate pooled sensitivity and specificity. We compared the diagnostic accuracy between DBT and DM alone using meta-regression and subgroup analyses by modality of intervention, country, existence of calcifications, breast density, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category threshold, study design, protocol for participant sampling, sample size, reason for diagnostic examination, and number of readers who interpreted the studies. Results: Twenty studies (n = 44513) that compared DBT and DM alone were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-0.93) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.84-0.94), respectively, for DBT, which were higher than 0.76 (95% CI 0.68-0.83) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.73-0.89), respectively, for DM alone (p < 0.001). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.97) for DBT and 0.86 (95% CI 0.82-0.88) for DM alone. The higher sensitivity and specificity of DBT than DM alone were consistently noted in most subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Conclusion: Use of DBT was more accurate than DM alone for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Women with clinical symptoms or abnormal screening findings could be more effectively evaluated for breast cancer using DBT, which has a superior diagnostic performance compared to DM alone.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2024

Background: This study examines the relationship between functional disability and work ability in workers affected by low back pain (LBP) through an analysis of correlations between the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Work Ability Index (WAI). The role of personal and work factors on functional disability/work ability levels has also been studied. LBP is the most common musculoskeletal problem and a major disabling health problem worldwide. Its etiology is multifactorial. Multidisciplinary approaches may help reduce the burden of pain and disability and improve job continuity and reintegration at work. Methods: A cohort of 264 patients affected by LBP from an Italian outpatient clinic were included in a clinical diagnostic/therapeutic trial aiming at rehabilitation and return to work through an integrated investigation protocol. Data were collected during the first medical examination using anamnestic and clinical tools. The final sample is composed of 252 patients, 57.1% man, 44.0 % blue collars, 46.4% with the high school degree, 45.6% married. Results: WAI and ODI reported a negative and fair correlation (r = -0.454; p = .000). Workers with acute LBP symptoms have a higher probability of severe disability than those with chronic LBP symptoms. White collars without depressive symptoms reported higher work ability - even in chronic disability conditions-than those with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The study found that ODI and WAI have a convergent validity and this suggests that the two tools measure capture distinctive aspects of disability related to personal, environmental, and occupational characteristics. The most important and modifiable prognostic factors found for ODI and WAI were depressive symptoms, workday absence, and intensity of back pain. The study also found a mild association between age and ODI. The study's findings highlight the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach to manage and prevent disability due to LBP.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.100-108
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• 2023

Background and Purpose: The efficacy and safety of GV1001 have been demonstrated in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we aimed to further demonstrate the effectiveness of GV1001 using subscales of the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB), which is a validated measure to assess cognitive function in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of data from a 6 month, multicenter, phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with GV1001 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03184467). Patients were randomized to receive either GV1001 or a placebo for 24 weeks. In the current study, nine subscales of SIB-social interaction, memory, orientation, language, attention, praxis, visuospatial ability, construction, and orientation to name-were compared between the treatment (GV1001 1.12 mg) and placebo groups at weeks 12 and 24. The safety endpoints for these patients were also determined based on adverse events. Results: In addition to the considerable beneficial effect of GV1001 on the SIB total score, GV1001 1.12 mg showed the most significant effect on language function at 24 weeks compared to placebo in both the full analysis set (FAS) and per-protocol set (PPS) (p=0.017 and p=0.011, respectively). The rate of adverse events did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Patients with moderate-to-severe AD receiving GV1001 had greater language benefits than those receiving placebo, as measured using the SIB language subscale.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.41-55
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• 2023

In order to secure sustainable competitiveness of startups, business model innovation is an important task to achieve competitive advantage by transforming the various elements that make up the business model. This study conducted a multi-case analysis study on leading smart farm companies around the world using an analysis framework based on business model theory. Through this, we sought to identify business model types and their constituent elements. For this, 19 companies were selected from the list of top 10 investment startups of the year for the past three years published by Agfunder, a global investment research company specializing in AgTech. Then data collection and analysis of the company cases were conducted according to the case study protocol. As a result of the study, the business model types were analyzed into four types: large-scale centralized production model, medium-to-large local distributed production model, small-scale hyperlocal modular FaaS model, and small-scale hyperlocal turnkey solution supply model. A comparative analysis was conducted on five business model components for each type, and strategic implications were derived through this. This study is expected to contribute to improving the competitiveness of domestic smart farm startups and diversifying their strategies by identifying the business models of overseas leading companies in the smart farm field using an academic analysis framework.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1178-1186
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of emetic complications associated with the intravenous administration of low-osmolality iodinated contrast media (ICM) in children undergoing computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: All children who underwent contrast-enhanced CT between April 2017 and July 2019 were included. Pediatric patients were instructed on the preparative dietary protocol at our institution. Experienced nurses in the radiology department monitored the children during the CT scans and recorded any emetic complications in their electronic medical records. These data were used to calculate the incidence of emetic complications. Various patient factors and technical factors, including fasting duration, the type and volume of ICM, and ongoing chemotherapy, were evaluated to identify risk factors for emetic complications using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Among the 864 children (mean age, 8.4 ± 5.7 years) evaluated, 18 (2.1%) experienced emetic complications (6 experienced nausea only and 12 experienced nausea and vomiting). None of the children developed aspiration pneumonia. The mean fasting duration of patients with emesis was 7.9 ± 5.7 hours (range, 3-21 hours), whereas that of patients without nausea was 8.7 ± 5.7 hours (range, 0-24 hours). Fasting duration was not associated with the development of nausea and vomiting (p = 0.634). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ongoing chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR] = 4.323; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.430-13.064; p = 0.009), iomeprol use (OR = 7.219; 95% CI = 1.442-36.146; p = 0.016), and iohexol use (OR = 5.241; 95% CI = 1.350-20.346; p = 0.017) were independent risk factors for emetic complications. Conclusion: Only a small proportion (2.1%) of children experienced nausea or vomiting after exposure to low-osmolality ICM. Many children underwent excessive fasting; however, fasting duration was not associated with nausea and vomiting. Moreover, ongoing chemotherapy and the use of iomeprol or iohexol were identified as potential risk factors for emetic complications in children.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2024

Purpose: Severe abdominal injuries often require immediate clinical assessment and surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications. In Jeju Regional Trauma Center, we have instituted a protocol for emergency department (ED) laparotomy at the trauma bay. We investigated the mortality and time taken from admission to ED laparotomy. Methods: We reviewed the data recorded in our center's trauma database between January 2020 and December 2022 and identified patients who underwent laparotomy because of abdominal trauma. Laparotomies that were performed at the trauma bay or the ED were classified as ED laparotomy, whereas those performed in the operating room (OR) were referred to as OR laparotomy. In cases that required expeditious hemostasis, ED laparotomy was performed appropriately. Results: From January 2020 to December 2022, 105 trauma patients admitted to our hospital underwent emergency laparotomy. Of these patients, six (5.7%) underwent ED laparotomy. ED laparotomy was associated with a mortality rate of 66.7% (four of six patients), which was significantly higher than that of OR laparotomy (17.1%, 18 of 99 patients, P=0.006). All the patients who received ED laparotomy also underwent damage control laparotomy. The time between admission to the first laparotomy was significantly shorter in the ED laparotomy group (28.5 minutes; interquartile range [IQR], 14-59 minutes) when compared with the OR laparotomy group (104 minutes; IQR, 88-151 minutes; P<0.001). The two patients who survived after ED laparotomy had massive mesenteric bleeding, which was successfully ligated. The other four patients, who had liver laceration, kidney rupture, spleen injury, and pancreas avulsion, succumbed to the injuries. Conclusions: Although ED laparotomy was associated with a higher mortality rate, the time between admission and ED laparotomy was markedly shorter than for OR laparotomy. Notably, major mesenteric hemorrhages were effectively controlled through ED laparotomy.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.423-433
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• 2023

As aerial application increasing, with social concerning in pesticide drift rises, so this study attempts to establish a test bench that can repeatedly and continuously evaluate this. To this end, this study first analyze ISO 22866 and ASABE S561.1 among the international standard test methods related to pesticide fugitive evaluation. A test bench was established at the Naju practice field of Chonnam National University in accordance with international standards, and field tests were carried out (ISO 22866, ASABE S561.1) to verify effectiveness. A test bench that established in this study and a pesticide drift recovery protocol by aerial application can improve the experimental environment where field experiments were complex and it was difficult to achieve the same conditions. In addition, it will be possible to construct a database of pesticide drift that takes into account various factors that affect pesticide drift substances, which is expected to improve the reliability of the data, as well as quantitative evaluation of pesticide drift in the air.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

As technology advances, Internet of Things (IoT) technology is rapidly evolving as well. Various protocols, including Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), are being used in IoT technology. MQTT, a lightweight messaging protocol, is considered a de-facto standard in the IoT field due to its efficiency in transmitting data even in environments with limited bandwidth and power. In this paper, we propose a method to improve the message transmission method in MQTT 5.0, specifically focusing on the shared subscription feature. The widely used round-robin method in shared subscriptions has the drawback of not considering the current state of the clients. To address this limitation, we propose a method to select the optimal transmission method by considering the current state. We model this problem based on Markov decision process (MDP) and utilize Q-Learning to select the optimal transmission method. Through simulation results, we compare our proposed method with existing methods in various environments and conduct performance analysis. We confirm that our proposed method outperforms existing methods in terms of performance and conclude by suggesting future research directions.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical results after a anatomical double bundle ACL reconstruction using a longitudinally split tibialis anterior allograft. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 24 patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months who had undergone anatomical double bundle ACL reconstructions. The grafts utilized in all cases were tibialis anterior allografts which were longitudinally split into two strands. A standard rehabilitation protocol was applied in all patients. The pre- and post-operative data including Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, Lachman test, pivot shift test and the side-to-side differences of anterior laxity measured by KT-2000 arthrometer were analyzed by use of a statistical method Results: The mean side-to-side instrumented laxity measured by the KT-2000 arthrometer significantly improved to a mean of $1.04{\pm}0.80\;mm$ (P < 0.001). The Lysholm knee scores also improved from $58.34{\pm}15.32$ to $86.25{\pm}6.48$ after surgery (P < 0.001). The patients exhibited improved IKDC scores (A: 15 cases, B; 9 cases) at the final follow-up, compared to preoperative scores (B: 5, C: 10, D: 9). Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that clinical results of anatomical double bundle ACL reconstruction with a split tibialis anterior allograft are encouraging with excellent side-to side laxity, significantly improved Lysholm knee score, IKDC score, Lachman and pivot shift data.