• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2006

Objectives : Uwhangchungsimwon (UC) is one of the famous herbal medicine frequently used for stroke, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, etc. Therefore, we intended to examine if UC could have therapeutic effect on arterial stiffness by assessing Cardio-Ankle Vascular lndex (CAVI). Methods : We enrolled 38 healthy male subjects (28±4.41 years old) and divided them into two groups (UC and control group). The UC group (N=22) were treated with 1 pill of UC and monitored by CAVI every hour for 6 hours. The control group(N=16) did not receive any medicine and were also monitored by CAVI the same manner as the UC group. In both group, we also assessed each subject's Yin-Yang pattern score by the diagnostic scoring system. In analysis, we compared the difference of CAVIs between the UC and the control group considering subject's Yin-Yang pattern. Results : There was no significant difference in the change of CAVI between the UC and the control group. After excluding Yang-pattern subjects in both group, however, we could observe that CAVI decreased significantly 5 hours after UC administration compared with the corresponding CAVI in the control group (P=0.025). In the repeated measure analysis, the between-subjects effect had statistical significance (P=0.035). Conclusion : According to these results, we suggest that UC have therapeutic effect on arterial stiffness especially after taking oriental medical diagnosis into consideration.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.498-503
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• 2009

Lung cancer is the main cancer on the world today, due to the high case fatality. Lung cancer can devide into two major types, such as small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been described in patients with advanced NSCLC. Mutations in the EGFR are associated with clinical and radiographic responses to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib. Thus, the detection of EGFR mutation can offer an effective information in clinical decision-making. In this study, We developed very simple, cheep and rapid mutation detection system by chip-based isothermal amplification method. The method described here has shown the advantages of rapid amplification, high sensitivity, and specificity. Also, it will be useful for rapid and reliable clinical diagnosis of EGFR mutation.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.87-95
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• 2023

Purpose: To quantify the relationship between perceived pain intensity and psychological variables in a sample of participants with temporomandibular disorder, with or without central sensitization (CS). Methods: A cross-sectional study with nonprobability convenience sampling was conducted from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire, STAI), catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale, PCS), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Co.), which included descriptive and normality analyses and the calculation of strength of multiple correlational regression. Results: A total of 52 (n=34 female 65.4%; n=18 male 34.6%) subjects with diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were finally included. A total of 26 participants (n=26, 50.0%) were cases suffered from CS (TMD-CS mean=46.62±11.24) while the remaining participants (n=26, 50.0%) were the controls (TMD-nCS mean=26.77, standard deviation [SD]=8.42). The pain intensity was moderate in both groups TMDCS (mean=7.62, SD=0.83) and TMD-nCS (mean=7.05, SD=0.86), anxiety (TMD-CS STAI mean=53.27, SD=11.54; TMD-nCS STAI mean=49, SD=11.55), catastrophizing (TMD-CS PCS mean=46.27, SD=9.75; TMD-nCS PCS mean=26.69, SD=4.97), perceived stress (TMDCS PSS mean=30.35, SD=4.91; TMD-nCS PSS mean=26.12, SD=6.60) and sleep quality (TMD-CS PSQI mean=15.81, SD=3.65; TMD-nCS PSQI mean=12.77, SD=2.76) levels were measured in both groups. In TMD-CS and TMD-nCS, higher anxiety levels were moderately and significantly associated with greater pain intensity β=0.4467 (t=2.477, p=0.021) and β=0.5087 (t=2.672, p=0.014). Nevertheless, catastrophizing, perceived stress and sleep quality were not associated to pain intensity in neither of group. Conclusions: In both TMD-CS and TMD-nCS patients, elevated anxiety levels were moderately and significantly associated with increased pain intensity. However, heightened levels of pain catastrophizing, perceived stress, and poor sleep quality were not significantly associated with increased pain intensity in either of the two analyzed groups.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.50-62
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to identify unmet needs and influencing factors for patients who have breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer. Methods : We reviewed the SCIE publications on unmet need of four prevalent cancer patients published after 2010 through a web search. Results : The measurement tools primarily used were Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs and Supportive Care Needs Survey questionnaire. Lung cancer patients reported a relatively higher rate of unmet needs. Breast cancer patients frequently reported unmet needs in the healthcare system and information, while thyroid cancer patients in post-treatment management and psychological issues. Colorectal cancer patients reported unmet needs in psychological and comprehensive care domain, and lung cancer patients reported unmet needs in physical and daily life management. Younger age, a shorter time since diagnosis or treatment, and higher levels of anxiety, depression, distress, and reduced quality of life were associated with more significant unmet needs. Conclusions : Unmet needs and influencing factors vary by cancer type. Considering the characteristics of each patient group and unmet needs can help in development of more effective treatment and support programs.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.675-695
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• 2023

The tracksite of dinosaurs and pterosaurs in Sanbuk-dong of Gunsan is the largest early Cretaceous dinosaur footprint fossil site in Korea, and all the footprints are important evidence indicating that large ornithopod and theropod dinosaurs inhabited the Korean peninsula during the early Cretaceous. The Sanbuk-dong site was covered with waterproof sheet in an outdoor environment until the installation of a protective enclosure in 2021. As a result, various factors such as shear force, load reduction, temperature and humidity fluctuations, acid rain, salinity and microorganisms have complexly interacted in the substrate of fossils, exacerbating the damage to footprints. For 159 footprints in 12 trackways among the footprints found in the site, the damage types were classified in detail and the level of each damage was assessed. The damages were classified into 6 types through the classification of deterioration degree of individual footprints. As a result of ultrasonic physical property evaluation on the surface of the fossil site, most of these footprints are in the completely weathered (CW) stage. Furthermore, various weathering patterns were observed in the study area, and surface contaminants were analyzed along the stratigraphy. Although the patterns of freshness and contaminants varied at different points within the fossil site, the chemical compositions were similar. Based on the results, an efficient conservation management system for dinosaur footprint fossils was established, and a conservation treatment type for each footprint was proposed.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.770-778
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• 2023

Purpose: In order to reduce forklift industrial accidents, it is necessary to classify them into institutional, technical, and educational factors and conduct research on whether each factor affects disaster reduction. Method: Descriptive statistical analysis, validity analysis, reliability analysis, and multiple regression analysis were conducted using SPSS 18 program based on an offline questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale. Result: As a result of multiple regression analysis, it was found that institutional, technical, and educational factors, which are independent variables for disaster reduction, explain about 62.5% of the variance in disaster prevention, which is the dependent variable. The regression model verification was found to be statistically significant with F=118.775 and significance probability p<0.01. Conclusion: First, there is a need to prevent disasters by including electric forklifts weighing less than 3 tons in the inspection system. Second, there is a need to make it mandatory to install front and rear cameras and forklift line beams to prevent forklift collision disasters. Third, there is a need to conduct special training related to forklifts every year, and drivers and nearby workers need to be included in the special training for forklifts.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.681-689
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• 2023

Objective : Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a condition characterized by bleeding in the subarachnoid space, often resulting from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. Delayed cerebral ischemia caused by vasospasm is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in SAH patients, and inflammatory markers such as systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic inflammatory index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and derived NLR (dNLR) have shown potential in predicting clinical vasospasm and outcomes in SAH patients. This article aims to investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmatic SAH (aSAH) and evaluate the predictive value of various indices, including SIRI, SII, NLR, and dNLR, in predicting clinical vasospasm. Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of a total of 139 patients admitted Trakya University Hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of aSAH between January 2013 and December 2021. Diagnostic procedures, neurological examinations, and laboratory tests were performed to assess the patients' condition. The Student's t-test compared age variables, while the chi-square test compared categorical variables between the non-vasospasm (NVS) and vasospasm (VS) groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory parameters, calculating the area under the ROC curve, cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : The study included 96 patients divided into two groups : NVS and VS. Various laboratory parameters, such as NLR, SII, and dNLR, were measured daily for 15 days, and statistically significant differences were found in NLR on 7 days, with specific cut-off values identified for each day. SII showed a significant difference on day 9, while dNLR had significant differences on days 2, 4, and 9. Graphs depicting the values of these markers for each day are provided. Conclusion : Neuroinflammatory biomarkers, when used alongside radiology and scoring scales, can aid in predicting prognosis, determining severity and treatment decisions for aSAH, and further studies with larger patient groups are needed to gain more insights.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.431-441
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• 2020

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance and interobserver variability of strain ratio obtained from one or two regions of interest (ROI) on breast elastography. Materials and Methods: From April to May 2016, 140 breast masses in 140 patients who underwent conventional ultrasonography (US) with strain elastography followed by US-guided biopsy were evaluated. Three experienced breast radiologists reviewed recorded US and elastography images, measured strain ratios, and categorized them according to the American College of Radiology breast imaging reporting and data system lexicon. Strain ratio was obtained using the 1-ROI method (one ROI drawn on the target mass), and the 2-ROI method (one ROI in the target mass and another in reference fat tissue). The diagnostic performance of the three radiologists among datasets and optimal cut-off values for strain ratios were evaluated. Interobserver variability of strain ratio for each ROI method was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient values, Bland-Altman plots, and coefficients of variation. Results: Compared to US alone, US combined with the strain ratio measured using either ROI method significantly improved specificity, positive predictive value, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (all p values < 0.05). Strain ratio obtained using the 1-ROI method showed higher interobserver agreement between the three radiologists without a significant difference in AUC for differentiating breast cancer when the optimal strain ratio cut-off value was used, compared with the 2-ROI method (AUC: 0.788 vs. 0.783, 0.693 vs. 0.715, and 0.691 vs. 0.686, respectively, all p values > 0.05). Conclusion: Strain ratios obtained using the 1-ROI method showed higher interobserver agreement without a significant difference in AUC, compared to those obtained using the 2-ROI method. Considering that the 1-ROI method can reduce performers' efforts, it could have an important role in improving the diagnostic performance of breast US by enabling consistent management of breast lesions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2024

Purpose: CA 19-9 is the most widely used tumor marker for the diagnosis of digestive system tumor, especially pancreatic and biliary tract cancer. This study was conducted to improve the result value near reference range by comparing the reagents of CA 19-9 one step method and two step method. In addition, it was intended to establish a standard for selecting reagents. Material and Methods: 120 patients who visited the National Cancer Center in 2023 were selected as subjects for this study. The reagents used in the study were CA 19-9 IRMA kits (Shinjin, Korea) and three types of reagents were compared. Two step method reagent that is currently being used (A), one step method reagent (B) and two step method reagent improved by request (C) were compared and regression analysis was performed on their data. And we also performed recovery test, linearity test and hook effect test for each reagent. Result: There were 46 cases of reagent B in which the concentration value was lower than the result measured in reagent A that was previously used, and 77 cases of reagent C. As a result of regression analysis of reagents A, B, and C, the coefficients of determination of reagents A and B, reagents A and C, and reagents B and C were 0.653, 0.577, and 0.875. In the recovery rate test and the linearity test, the results of all reagents were good, and in the hook effect test, reagent B showed a hook effect at a low value. Conclusion: The improved reagent C appears to have been improved based on the concentration value of reagent B, which the manufacturer judged to be more stable at low concentrations. The hook effect in reagent B can be a fatal reason for disqualification when selecting reagents in general patient samples which high-concentration samples appear frequently. The first improved reagent C will be able to be used once it is confirmed that it has more stability for various concentration values.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.867-879
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• 2021

Objective: To compare the screening performance of diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI and combined mammography and ultrasound (US) in detecting clinically occult contralateral breast cancer in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 2017 and July 2018, 1148 women (mean age ± standard deviation, 53.2 ± 10.8 years) with unilateral breast cancer and no clinical abnormalities in the contralateral breast underwent 3T MRI, digital mammography, and radiologist-performed whole-breast US. In this retrospective study, three radiologists independently and blindly reviewed all DW MR images (b = 1000 s/mm² and apparent diffusion coefficient map) of the contralateral breast and assigned a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category. For combined mammography and US evaluation, prospectively assessed results were used. Using histopathology or 1-year follow-up as the reference standard, cancer detection rate and the patient percentage with cancers detected among all women recommended for tissue diagnosis (positive predictive value; PPV2) were compared. Results: Of the 30 cases of clinically occult contralateral cancers (13 invasive and 17 ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS]), DW MRI detected 23 (76.7%) cases (11 invasive and 12 DCIS), whereas combined mammography and US detected 12 (40.0%, five invasive and seven DCIS) cases. All cancers detected by combined mammography and US, except two DCIS cases, were detected by DW MRI. The cancer detection rate of DW MRI (2.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3%, 3.0%) was higher than that of combined mammography and US (1.0%; 95% CI: 0.5%, 1.8%; p = 0.009). DW MRI showed higher PPV2 (42.1%; 95% CI: 26.3%, 59.2%) than combined mammography and US (18.5%; 95% CI: 9.9%, 30.0%; p = 0.001). Conclusion: In women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, DW MRI detected significantly more contralateral breast cancers with fewer biopsy recommendations than combined mammography and US.