• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study examined the performance of two spectroscopy methods and multivariate classification methods to discriminate viable pepper seeds from their non-viable counterparts. Methods: A classification model for viable seeds was developed using partial least square discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) with Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) and Raman spectroscopic data in the range of $9080-4150cm^{-1}$ (1400-2400 nm) and $1800-970cm^{-1}$, respectively. The datasets were divided into 70% to calibration and 30% to validation. To reduce noise from the spectra and compare the classification results, preprocessing methods, such as mean, maximum, and range normalization, multivariate scattering correction, standard normal variate, and $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ derivatives with the Savitzky-Golay algorithm were used. Results: The classification accuracies for calibration using FT-NIR and Raman spectroscopy were both 99% with first derivative, whereas the validation accuracies were 90.5% with both multivariate scattering correction and standard normal variate, and 96.4% with the raw data (non-preprocessed data). Conclusions: These results indicate that FT-NIR and Raman spectroscopy are valuable tools for a feasible classification and evaluation of viable pepper seeds by providing useful information based on PLS-DA and the threshold value.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.439-445
• /
• 2015

Background : Correct identification of Panax species is important to ensure food quality, safety, authenticity and health for consumers. This paper describes a high resolution melting (HRM) analysis based method using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S ribosomal DNA barcoding regions as target (Bar-HRM) to obtain barcoding information for the major Panax species and to identify the origin of ginseng plant. Methods and Results : A PCR-based approach, Bar-HRM was developed to discriminate among Panax species. In this study, the ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8S rDNA genes were targeted for testing, since these have been identified as suitable genes for use in the identification of Panax species. The HRM analysis generated cluster patterns that were specific and sensitive enough to detect small sequence differences among the tested Panax species. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the HRM curve analysis of the ITS regions and 5.8S rDNA sequences is a simple, quick, and reproducible method. It can simultaneously identify three Panax species and screen for variants. Thus, ITS1HRM and 5.8SHRM primer sets can be used to distinguish among Panax species.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.192-204
• /
• 2014

Gist-based message design is essential in the Internet in which a lot of health messages are created and shared constantly. This study intended to identify the characteristics of health messages in a webzine and explore a way to design gist-based health messages. A total of 72 webzine articles published in Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety were selected, and text and visual messages of the articles were analyzed in terms of content types, the frequency and position of gists, and intuitive expression. The articles were also categorized regarding the characteristics of health messages through cluster analyses. This study found that most texts of the health articles consisted of facts and methods, while most visual messages represented concepts. In addition, both text and visual messages had limitations in presenting a gist effectively. It was also necessary to explore an effective way to improve an intuitive understanding of jargon and quantitative information in health messages. Based on these findings, this study provided suggestions for the design of gist-based health messages in the Internet.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.22
• /
• pp.9767-9771
• /
• 2014

Background: Social support is an important factor in psycho-social well-being of cancer survivors. There is little information about level of social support and its predictors among cancer survivors in Iran or other Middle Eastern countries. The aims of present study were to determine the social support and its prediction factors among Iranian cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study 187 cancer patients in one educational center and one private oncology office in northwest of Iran participated using a convenient sampling method. The data collection tool consisted of a researcher-prepared checklist and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Assessment (MSPSS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The total score of MSPSS was 68 from a possible score between 7 and 84. Participants believed that they received a high level of support from their family members and significant others. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that single and depressed cancer survivors and participants with lower levels of physical activity believed that they received lower levels of social support. Conclusions: Iranian cancer survivors receive high levels of social support and family members are the most important source of this support. In planning any supportive care program for Iranian cancer survivors this strength should be considered. Especially, single and depressed and patients with lower levels of physical activity need more attention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.8
• /
• pp.3675-3686
• /
• 2016

Moringa oleifera Lam, family Moringaceae, is a perennial plant which is called various names, but is locally known in Malaysia as ''murungai'' or ''kelor''. Glucomoringin, a glucosinolate with from M. oleifera is a major secondary metabolite compound. The seeds and leaves of the plant are reported to have the highest amount of glucosinolates. M. oleifera is well known for its many uses health and benefits. It is claimed to have nutritional, medicinal and chemopreventive potentials. Chemopreventive effects of M. oleifera are expected due to the existence of glucosinolate which it is reported to have the ability to induce apoptosis in anticancer studies. Furthermore, chemopreventive value of M. oleifera has been demonstrated in studies utilizing its leaf extract to inhibit the growth of human cancer cell lines. This review highlights the advantages of M. oleifera targeting chemoprevention where glucosinolates could help to slow the process of carcinogenesis through several molecular targets. It is also includes inhibition of carcinogen activation and induction of carcinogen detoxification, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Finally, for synergistic effects of M. oleifera with other drugs and safety, essential for chemoprevention, it is important that it safe to be consumed by human body and works well. Although there is promising evidence about M. oleifera in chemoprevention, extensive research need to be done due to the expected rise of cancer in coming years and to gain more information about the mechanisms involved in M. oleifera influence, which could be a good source to inhibit several major mechanisms involved in cancer development.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.74-80
• /
• 2011

Medical implant devices are one of the targets of the US's Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for tracking in case of a serious adverse event since they are directly connected to the lives of patients. The US law stipulates that the public health agency shall order implantable device makers to track their product down to the patient level if a serious adverse event has occurred or defects have been discovered; in reality, however, the agency can pass on the responsibility for tracking or recalling faulty devices to the manufacturers or use mass media. This article proposes an efficient tracking and recall management system and examines four main virtual scenarios based on such. This research seeks to suggest a system that enables FDA to perform accurate and prompt tracking and recall management for patients' enhanced safety.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.353-360
• /
• 2015

A survey of weed occurrence was conducted to identify problematic weed species in a horticultural crop field to get basic information for effective weed control. Surveys of weed species occurring in horticultural crop fields (garlic, onion, red pepper and Chinese cabbage) were conducted in Chungnam province of Korea from April to October in 2014. A total of 516 sites of the 17 regions were identified as having 114 weed species belonging to 32 families. The most dominant weed species in the horticultural crop fields were Chenopodium album var. centrorubrum (8.83%), followed by Digitaria ciliaris (5.71%), Conyza canadensis (5.46%) and Capsella bursa-pastoris (4.67%). Specifically, as a result of this study, the occurrence of 35 species of exotic weeds, such as Chenopodium album and Taraxacum officinale, were confirmed. Almost 68% of the investigation sites was determined under dominance value 1 (range of cover < 10; numerous individuals) by Braun-Branquet cover-abundance scale, indicating a proper weed control in horticultural crop field. As a result of scientific and technological advances, an improved cultivation method is changing the weed occurrence in agricultural land. Additional research needs to be undertaken for the development of weed control methods through such periodic monitoring of occurrence of weeds.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.65-75
• /
• 2018

Objective: Over the last several years, immunotherapy has become one of the most promising therapeutic options for cancer. This study aims to summarize the updates on cancer immunotherapy focusing on immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, which have received attention as new anticancer therapeutic agents. Methods: A literature survey was carried out on PubMed to identify high-impact papers on cancer immunotherapy from 2010. The most recent data on clinical efficacy and safety have been included highlighting the response characteristics to recently approved immunotherapeutic agents. Results: In various cancers, immune checkpoints are a means for cancer cells to evade the immune system. Furthermore, CTLA-4 and PD-L1 can be overexpressed, allowing malignant cells to evade T-cells. Numerous clinical trials have been performed to seek appropriate indication of these products in various cancer types. Among them, the most conspicuous types are melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. The approval of ipilimumab by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commenced a new era of cancer immunotherapy. This was followed by the approval of nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Currently, combination therapies are being investigated for various cancer types. Conclusion: In this study, we reviewed recently reported scientific and clinical evidence for currently approved immune checkpoint inhibitors. Although these novel checkpoint inhibitors are ever evolving for cancer therapies, there exist limitations that need to be overcome, indicating the necessity for further studies aiming to improve their efficacy, toxicity, and cost.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.15
• /
• pp.6205-6210
• /
• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate Iranian cancer patient perceptions of their prognosis, factors that influence perceptions of prognosis and the effect this has on patient level of hope. Materials and Methods: Iranian cancer patients (n=200) completed self-report measures of their perceptions of their prognosis and level of hope, in order to assess the relationship between the two and identify factors predictive of perceptions by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Cancer patients perceived of their prognosis positively (mean 11.4 out of 15), believed their disease to be curable, and reported high levels of hope (mean 40.4 out of 48.0). Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that participants who were younger, perceived they had greater family support, and had higher levels of hope reported more positive perceptions of their cancer prognosis. Conclusions: Positive perceptions of prognosis and its positive correlation with hope in Iranian cancer patients highlights the importance of cultural issues in the disclosure of cancer related information.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.26.1-26.8
• /
• 2016

Background: The nematode species belonging to genus Anisakis occur at their third larval stage in numerous marine teleost fish species worldwide and known to cause accidental human infection through the ingestion of raw or undercooked fish or squids. They may also draw the attention of consumers because of the visual impact of both alive and dead worms. Therefore, the information on their geographical distribution and clear species identification is important for epidemiological survey and further prevention of human infection. Results: For identification of anisakid nematodes species isolated from largehead hairtail (Trichiurus japonicus), polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of internal transcribed spacers of ribosomal DNA were conducted. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 gene was also sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. From the largehead hairtail (n = 9), 1259 nematodes were isolated in total. Most of the nematodes were found encapsulated throughout the viscera (56.2 %, 708/1259) or moving freely in the body cavity (41.5 %, 523/1259), and only 0.3 % (4/1259) was found in the muscles. By PCR-RFLP, three different nematode species were identified. Anisakis pegreffii was the most dominantly found (98.7 %, 1243/1259) from the largehead hairtail, occupying 98.7 % (699/708) of the nematodes in the mesenteries and 98.1 % (513/523) in the body cavity. Hybrid genotype (Anisakis simplex ${\times}$ A. pegreffii) occupied 0.5 %, and Hysterothylacium sp. occupied 0.2 % of the nematodes isolated in this study. Conclusions: The largehead hairtail may not significantly contribute accidental human infection of anisakid nematode third stage larvae because most of the nematodes were found from the viscera or body cavity, which are not consumed raw. But, a high prevalence of anisakid nematode larvae in the largehead hairtail is still in concern because they may raise food safety problems to consumers. Immediate evisceration or freezing of fish after catch will be necessary before consumption.