• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7143-7147
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• 2015

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were conjugated with gallic acid (GA) at various concentrations between 30 and $150{\mu}M$ and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-VIS). The anticancer activities of the gallic acid-stabilized gold nanoparticles against well-differentiated (M213) and moderately differentiated (M214) adenocarcinomas were then determined using a neutral red assay. The GA mechanism of action was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. Distinctive features of the FTIR spectra between the control and GA-treated cells were confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA). The surface plasmon resonance spectra of the GNPs had a maximum absorption at 520 nm, whereas GNPs-GA shifted the maximum absorption values. In an in vitro study, the complexed GNPs-GA had an increased ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells that was statistically significant (P<0.0001) in both M213 and M214 cells compared to GA alone, indicating that the anticancer activity of GA can be improved by conjugation with GNPs. Moreover, PCA revealed that exposure of the tested cells to GA resulted in significant changes in their cell membrane lipids and fatty acids, which may enhance the efficacy of this anticancer activity regarding apoptosis pathways.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9865-9869
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• 2014

Background: Transthoracic fine needle aspiration (FNA) is one of several methods for establishing tissue diagnosis of lung lesions. Other tissue or cell sources for diagnosis include sputum, endobronchial biopsy, washing and brushing, endobronchial FNA, transthoracic core needle biopsy, biopsy from thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of FNA and other diagnostic tests in diagnosing lung lesions. Materials and Methods: The population included all patients undergoing FNA for lung lesions at Meir Medical Center from 2006 through 2010. Information regarding additional tissue tests was derived from the electronic archives of the Department of Pathology, patient records and files from the Department of Oncology. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each test. Results: FNA was carried out in 245 patients. Malignant tumors were diagnosed in 190 cases (78%). They included adenocarcinoma (43%), squamous cell carcinoma (15%), non-small cell carcinoma, not otherwise specified (19%), neurondocrine tumors (7%), metastases (9%) and lymphoma (3%). The specificity of FNA for lung neoplasms was 100%; sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy were 87%. Conclusions: FNA is the most sensitive procedure for establishing tissue diagnoses of lung cancer. Combination with core needle biopsy increases the sensitivity. Factors related to the lesion (nature, degenerative changes, location) and to performance of all stages of test affect the ability to establish a diagnosis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2011

Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor type and observer experience on the diagnostic performance in soft-copy interpretations of maxillary sinus inflammatory lesions on panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods : Ninety maxillary sinuses on panoramic images were grouped into negative and positive groups according to the presence of inflammatory lesions, using CT for confirmation. Monochrome and color LCDs were used. Six observers participated and ROC analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance. The reading time, fatigue score, and inter-/intra-observer agreements were assessed. Results : The interpretation of maxillary sinus inflammatory lesions was affected by the LCD monitor type used and by the experience of the observer. The reading time was not significantly different, however the fatigue score was significantly different between two LCD monitors. Inter-observer agreement was relatively good in experienced observers, while the intra-observer agreement for all observers was good with monochrome LCD but not with color LCD. Conclusion : The less experienced observers showed lowered diagnostic ability with a general color LCD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.933-937
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to develop a diagnostic screening tool for the early detection of osteoporosis in persons with a predisposition for this condition and to facilitate effective management of the disease. Data are collected using questionnaires. The subjects are 120 women in a small city OB-GY clinic in South Korea, who are 6 months or more post menopausal and who have been examined for BMD. Two items in general syndrome of kidney vacuity(Shin Hur) : hears noises like streaming water or the sound of shrill chirrups of a cicada (OR=3.34, p<0.1), feels twinges in the back and knee(OR=4.10, p<0.05), one item in kidney yin vacuity: feels thirst and gets sore throat(OR=8.5, p<0.01) were proven as statistically significant risk factors in the identification of osteoporosis (Odds Ratio). The predictability score was 86.36%, and ROC curve was 0.84. This study attempted to identify risk factors in female osteoporosis so as to develop a screening tool for the purposes of early diagnosis, the effective management of osteoporosis patients and to modify the progress of their disease. Further studies are needed to elaborate this tool's ability to identify contributing factors in osteoporosis as defined by diagnostic evidence predicted by Oriental Medicine Theory.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.33-58
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• 2018

Objectives : Literatures related to Bianque are studied to discover the path of development and the impact of Bianque school's pulse diagnosis system. Methods : Texts regarding Bianque were searched in history books such as Shiji and Zhanguoce, and medical texts such as the medical books of Mawangdui Han Tomb, Huangdineijng, Maijing, and Qianjinyifang to understand how the Bianque school's pulse diagnosis system was developed. Results : 1. Bianque school's pulse diagnosis system was used to inspect the distribution pattern of blood vessels and discover the location of the disease including the palpatation realm such as only hard or only fall. 2. The system of inspection was created when the diagnosis method that uses the color of the pulse by using the color of blood vessels was added to the diagnostic method of pulse condition. 3. Adding the concept of pulse to the visual information that derives from pulse condition becomes pulsation. This is a diagnostic method that falls under the realm of palpation, and it was used to discover the location of disease. 4. The qi of pulse is motor that induces pulse, and this concept is used in order to understand how normal and abnormal pulsations appear, and to treat the circulation disorder of qi and blood. 5. Cubit skin examination is a method that comprehensively take into account the upper arm skin's cold and heat, slippery and roughness, and relax and tension state. This method was used together with other diagnostic methods. As described above, it seems that the diagnostic method with blood vessels used by Bianque school seems to have developed from Bianque's special inspection ability to the stage where it uses palpation, and then to the stage of cubit skin examination which uses both palpation and inspection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.377-381
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• 2014

Microscopy is considered as the gold standard for malaria diagnosis although its wide application is limited by the requirement of highly experienced microscopists. PCR and serological tests provide efficient diagnostic performance and have been applied for malaria diagnosis and research. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of nested PCR and a recently developed an ELISA-based new rapid diagnosis test (RDT), NovaLisa test kit, for diagnosis of malaria infection, using microscopic method as the gold standard. The performance of nested-PCR as a malaria diagnostic tool is excellent with respect to its high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and ability to discriminate Plasmodium species. The sensitivity and specificity of nested-PCR compared with the microscopic method for detection of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, and P. falciparum/P. vivax mixed infection were 71.4 vs 100%, 100 vs 98.7%, and 100 vs 95.0%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA-based NovaLisa test kit compared with the microscopic method for detection of Plasmodium genus were 89.0 vs 91.6%, respectively. NovaLisa test kit provided comparable diagnostic performance. Its relatively low cost, simplicity, and rapidity enables large scale field application.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2001

Objective: To determine the ability of MR imaging to detect the pathological changes occurring in radiofrequency (RF) thermal lesions and to assess its accuracy in revealing the extent of tissue necrosis. Materials and Methods: Using an RF electrode, thermal lesions were created in the livers of 18 rabbits. The procedure involved three phases. In the acute phase, six animals were killed the day after performing thermal ablation with RF energy, and two on day 3. In the subacute and chronic phases, eight rabbits underwent percutaneous hepatic RF ablation. After performing MR imaging, two animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, and 7 weeks after the procedure, and MRpathologic correlation was performed. Results: In the acute phase, the thermal ablation lesions appeared at gross examination as well-circumscribed, necrotic areas, representing early change in the coagulative necrosis seen at microscopic examination. They were hypointense on T2-weighted images, and hyperintense on T1-weighted images. Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging showed that a thin hyperemic rim surrounded the central coagulative necrosis. In the subacute phase, ablated lesions also showed extensive coagulative necrosis and marked inflammation at microscopic examination. Beyond two weeks, the lesions showed gradual resorption of the necrotic area, with a peripheral fibrovascular rim. The size of lesions measured by MR imaging correlated well with the findings at gross pathologic examination. Conclusion: MR imaging effectively demonstrates the histopathological tissue change occurring after thermal ablation, and accurately determines the extent of the target area.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2008

Purpose : To compare and evaluate the diagnostic ability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Materials and Methods : CBCT and MRI of 46 TMJs of 23 patients with TMJ disorders were evaluated. They were divided into 3 groups according to the position of the articular disc of the TMJ at closed mouth position and the reduction of the disc during open mouth position on MRI: no disc displacement group (NDD), disc displacement with reduction group (DDR), and disc displacement without reduction group (DDWR). With PACS viewing soft-wares, position of mandibular condyle in the articular fossa, osseous change of mandibular condyle, shape of articular fossa, and mediolateral and anteroposterior dimensions of mandibular condyle were evaluated on CBCT and MRI. Each value was tested statistically. Results : The position of mandibular condyle in the articular fossa were concentric in the NDD, DDR, and DDWR of CBCT and NDD of MRI. However, condyle was positioned posteriorly in DDR and DDWR of MRI. Flattening, sclerosis and osteophyte of the mandibular condyle were much more apparent on DDR of CBCT than MRI. And the erosion of the condyle was much more apparent on DDWR of MRI than CBCT. Box and Sigmoid types of articular fossa were found most frequently in DDR of MRI. Flattened type was found most frequently in DDR of CBCT and deformed type was found most frequently in DDWR of CBCT. No significant difference in mediolateral and anteroposterior dimensions were shown on CBCT and MRI. Conclusion : Since MRI and CBCT has unique diagnostic imaging ability, both modalities should be used together to supplement each other to evaluate TMJ.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a disorder that usually occurs in the elderly, leading to dementia in some progressive cases. The purpose of this study is to examine the utility of central auditory processing tests as early diagnostic tools for identifying the elderly with MCI. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 20 elderly patients with MCI and 20 healthy matched peers. The speech perception ability in a quiet environment and in the presence of background noise and also temporal resolution were assessed by using Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) and Gap in Noise (GIN) tests, respectively. Results: The results indicated that the ability to understand speech in a quiet environment did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, SPIN at the three signal-to-noise ratios and the temporal resolution scores were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001). Conclusions: Individuals with MCI appear to have poorer speech comprehension in noise and a lower temporal resolution than those of the same age, but without cognitive defects. Considering the utility of these tests in identifying cognitive problems, we propose that since the GIN test seems to be less influenced by intervening factors, this test can therefore, be a useful tool for the early screening of elderly people with cognitive problems.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a disorder that usually occurs in the elderly, leading to dementia in some progressive cases. The purpose of this study is to examine the utility of central auditory processing tests as early diagnostic tools for identifying the elderly with MCI. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 20 elderly patients with MCI and 20 healthy matched peers. The speech perception ability in a quiet environment and in the presence of background noise and also temporal resolution were assessed by using Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) and Gap in Noise (GIN) tests, respectively. Results: The results indicated that the ability to understand speech in a quiet environment did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, SPIN at the three signal-to-noise ratios and the temporal resolution scores were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001). Conclusions: Individuals with MCI appear to have poorer speech comprehension in noise and a lower temporal resolution than those of the same age, but without cognitive defects. Considering the utility of these tests in identifying cognitive problems, we propose that since the GIN test seems to be less influenced by intervening factors, this test can therefore, be a useful tool for the early screening of elderly people with cognitive problems.