• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.164-168
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• 2016

Objective: Assisted reproductive technology has been associated with an increase in multiple pregnancies. The most effective strategy for reducing multiple pregnancies is single embryo transfer. Beginning in October 2015, the National Supporting Program for Infertility in South Korea has limited the number of embryos that can be transferred per in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle depending on the patient's age. However, little is known regarding the effect of age and number of transferred embryos on the clinical outcomes of Korean patients. Thus, this study was performed to evaluate the effect of the number of transferred blastocysts on clinical outcomes. Methods: This study was carried out in the Fertility Center of CHA Gangnam Medical Center from January 2013 to December 2014. The clinical outcomes of 514 women who underwent the transfer of one or two blastocysts on day 5 after IVF and of 721 women who underwent the transfer of one or two vitrified-warmed blastocysts were analyzed retrospectively. Results: For both fresh and vitrified-warmed cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth or ongoing pregnancy rate were not significantly different between patients who underwent elective single blastocyst transfer (eSBT) and patients who underwent double blastocyst transfer (DBT), regardless of age. However, the multiple pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the eSBT group than in the DBT group. Conclusion: The clinical outcomes of eSBT and DBT were equivalent, but eSBT had a lower risk of multiple pregnancy and is, therefore, the best option.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제79권4호
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• pp.295-301
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• 2016

Background: Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization to staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) has been recently considered to be related to allergic disease, including asthma. Despite studies on specific IgE (sIgE) to SE and its relationship to asthma diagnosis and severity, the association of sIgE to SE with airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) remains unclear. Methods: We enrolled 81 asthma patients admitted to the Severance Hospital in Korea from March 1, 2013, to February 28, 2015 and retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of the enrolled subjects. The serum levels of sIgE to SE (A/B) of all subjects was measured using the ImmunoCAP 250 (Phadia) system with SE-sIgE positive defined as >0.10 kU/mL. Results: The SE-sIgE level was not significantly correlated with asthma severity (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [$FEV_1$], $FEV_1$/forced vital capacity, sputum eosinophils, and serum eosinophils), whereas the SE-sIgE level in patients with positive AHR ($mean{\pm}standard$ error of the mean, $0.606{\pm}0.273kU/mL$) was significantly higher than that in patients with negative AHR ($0.062{\pm}0.015kU/mL$, p=0.034). In regression analysis, SE sensitization (sIgE to SE ${\geq}0.010kU/mL$) was a significant risk factor for AHR, after adjustment for age, sex, $FEV_1$, and sputum eosinophils (odds ratio, 7.090; 95% confidence interval, 1.180-42.600; p=0.032). Prevalence of SE sensitization was higher in patients with allergic rhinitis and non-atopic asthma patients, as compared to patients without allergic rhinitis and atopic asthma patients, respectively, but without statistical significance. Conclusion: SE sensitization is significantly associated with AHR.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.415-428
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• 2017

이 글은 엘리아스(Elias)와 부르디외(Bourdieu) 이론들을 바탕으로 한 한국 사회의 피트니스 회원에 대한 사회문화적 연구다. 이 연구의 목적은 경제적 자본과 문화적 자본이 달리 나타나는 피트니스 회원(강남/강북, 프라이빗/퍼블릭 센터) 사이의 권력관계에 대해 다차원적이고, 심층적인 분석을 하고자 한다. 이를 위해 인터뷰와 참여관찰 방법을 통해 강남과 강북 피트니스 회원들(강남 12명: 강북 12명)을 대상으로 몸의 기득권자-아웃사이더(Established-Outsider) 권력관계를 살펴본다. 사회 공간 내에서 참여자의 위치는 그들의 사회경제적 지위와 피트니스 자본의 수준에 따라서 결정되어졌다: 강남 기득권자 그룹(강남E), 강남 아웃사이더 그룹(강남 O), 강북 기득권자 그룹(강북 E), 강북 아웃사이더 그룹(강북 O). 네 그룹 회원들 간 몸의 기득권자-아웃사이더 관계는 몸 취향과 하비투스(피트니스센터의 선택, 몸의 과시, 사회적 평가, 근육만들기, 다른 스포츠에의 참여 등)와 문명화 과정(피트니스 매너 및 에티켓)에서 차이를 보였다. 강남과 강북의 피트니스는 단순히 운동을 하는 공간이 아니라 회원들 사이의 사회-문화적 위계를 재생산하고 영속화하는 상징적 공간으로 나타났다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.173-177
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• 2019

Objective: We investigated the clinical characteristics of men with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)-induced hypogonadism and its effect on assisted reproductive technology (ART) in infertile couples. Methods: This study examined the records of 20 consecutive male patients diagnosed with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (< 5 × 10⁶/mL) who visited a single infertility center from January 2008 to July 2018. All patients were treated at a primary clinic for erectile dysfunction or androgen deficiency symptoms combined with low serum testosterone. All men received a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor and TRT with testosterone undecanoate (Nebido^®) or testosterone enanthate (Jenasteron^®). Patients older than 50 years or with a chronic medical disease such as diabetes were excluded. Results: The mean age of patients was 37 years and the mean duration of infertility was 16.3 ± 11.6 months. At the initial presentation, eight patients had azoospermia, nine had cryptozoospermia, and three had severe oligozoospermia. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels were below 1.0 mIU/mL in most patients. Three ongoing ART programs with female factor infertility were cancelled due to male spermatogenic dysfunction; two of these men had normal semen parameters in the previous cycle. After withholding TRT, serum hormone levels and sperm concentrations returned to normal range after a median duration of 8 months. Conclusion: TRT with high-dose testosterone can cause spermatogenic dysfunction due to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, with adverse effects on infertility treatment programs. TRT is therefore contraindicated for infertile couples attempting to conceive, and the patient's desire for fertility must be considered before initiation of TRT in a hypogonadal man.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.138-142
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• 2009

Introduction : Although bilateral exploration has been thought to be the standard therapeutic modality for primary hyperparathyroidism(pHPT) due to the admirable cure rate, questions have remained as to whether bilateral neck exploration for all patients with pHPT is needed because 80-85% of patients with pHPT have a single parathyroid adenoma. If the diseased parathyroid can be determined preoperatively, a directed and minimal operation is appropriate using the recent innovations of preoperative diagnosis and operation techniques for parathyroid diseases, the radio-guided parathyroid surgery(RGPS) is one of the standards. In especial, RGPS has been reported beneficial in special circumstances, such as in recurrent disease, ectopic parathyroid, and in mediastinal parathyroid. It can be also useful for the parathyroid disease in previously explored or irradiated neck. Material and Methods : We experienced 2 cases of pHPT successfully treated by RGPS in who previously underwent extensive neck dissection and concomitant external or internal radiotherapy. We adopted and modified the technique described by Dr. James Norman at the University of South Florida-the minimally invasive parathyroidectomy using intraoperative nuclear mapping with 99mTc-sestamibi scanning and radioactivity detection probe. Results : We acquired the successful results for these patients. Conclusion : RGPS is thought to be the alternative technique for the patients with prior central neck exploration and irradiation.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.14-19
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• 2016

Purpose: We examined the prevalence and CGG/AGG repeat structure of expanded alleles of the FMR1 gene in preconceptional and pregnant Korean women. Materials and Methods: The CGG repeats in the FMR1 genes of 1,408 women were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. To estimate the prevalence of expansion alleles, the individuals were divided into low risk and high risk group. Results: Within this population, 98.4% had normal alleles and 1.6% had abnormal alleles including intermediate (0.6%), premutation (0.5%), full mutation (0.1%), and hemizygous (0.4%) alleles. There were 2 premutation alleles (1:666, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1:250-1,776) in the low risk group and 5 premutation alleles (1:15, 95% 1:6-36) in the high risk group. There were 8 intermediate alleles (1:167, 95% CI 1:130-213) in the low risk group and 1 intermediate alleles (1:76, 95% CI 1:11-533) in the high group. Six of the 7 premutation alleles did not contain AGG interruptions within the repeats and 1 had a single AGG interruption. Four of the 9 intermediate alleles contained 2-3 AGG, 4 had a single AGG, and 1 had no AGG interruptions. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the prevalence and CGG/AGG structure of expansion alleles in Korean women. The identified premutation prevalence is higher than that of other Asian populations and lower than that of Caucasian populations. Although our study is limited by size and population bias, our findings could prove useful for genetic counseling of preconceptional or pregnant women.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.19-25
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• 2019

Background/Objectives: Although anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is rare, it is one of the deadliest forms of thyroid cancer. The fatality rate for ATC is high, and the survival rate at one year after diagnosis is <20%. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor activities of paclitaxel, radiation, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combined therapy in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo and explore its effects on apoptotic cell death pathways. Materials & Methods: ATC cell line was exposed to TKI, lenvatinib in the presence or absence of paclitaxel with radiation, and cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Effects of the combined treatment on cell cycle and intracellular signaling pathways were assessed by flow cytometry and western blot analysis. The ATC cell line xenograft model was used to examine the anti-tumor activity in vivo. Results: Our data revealed that the combined administration of paclitaxel, TKI, and radiation decreased cell viability in ATC cells, and also significantly increased apoptotic cell death in these cells, as demonstrated by the cleavage of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation. This combination therapy reduced anti-apoptotic factor levels in ATC cells, while significantly decreasing tumor volume and increasing survival in ATC xenografts. Conclusion: These results indicate that administering the combination of paclitaxel, TKI, and radiation therapy may exert significant anticancer effects in preclinical models, potentially suggesting a new clinical approach for treating patients with ATC.

• Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.593-602
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• 2018

Background/Aims The different clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be influenced by associated psychological factors. We evaluated the psychological status (anxiety and depression) according to each subtype of GERD. Methods Subjects who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and completed a symptom questionnaire between January 2008 and December 2011 were analyzed. The subjects were classified into the following groups: erosive reflux disease (ERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), asymptomatic erosive esophagitis (AEE), and controls. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively. Results We analyzed 19 099 subjects: 16 157 (84.6%), 176 (0.9%), 1398 (7.3%), and 1368 (7.2%) in the control, ERD, NERD, and AEE groups, respectively. Multiple multinomial logistic regression revealed a significant association of increased state (adjusted OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.53-2.33) and trait anxiety (adjusted OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.34-2.35) and depression (adjusted OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.75-2.80) with NERD. ERD group showed a significant association only with state anxiety (adjusted OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.27-3.81) and depression (adjusted OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.18-4.22). The AEE group, however, did not show any significant association with psychological factors. Conclusion This cross-sectional study revealed that anxiety and depression levels were significantly higher in subjects with GERD (notably in the NERD) than in controls.

• 비교문화연구
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• 제53권
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• pp.193-218
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• 2018

2015년 발표된 유하 감독의 영화 "강남1970"은 바흐찐이 말하는 서사 속 시공간의 결합관계, 크로노토프의 중첩을 살필 수 있는 서사다. 이 영화는 또한 강한 야망과 폭력으로 부와 권력을 이루려는 개인의 서사와 1970년대 서울 강남개발을 둘러싼 비리와 폭력, 한국 사회의 변동사, 그리고 그것을 회고하는 현재의 시각이 어우러진 서사이다. 본 논문은 이 영화가 폭력을 휘두르며 범죄를 일삼는 주인공의 행보를 경제개발 시대 변화에 참여하여 그 이익을 향유하고 부를 축적하는 것을 성취로 받아들인 70년대 일반인들의 욕망의 맥락 속에서 제시하고 현재 한국 최고가 부동산 지역으로 여겨지는 강남에 대한 다수의 선망에 기대어 관객의 공감을 얻고자 했다고 본다. 서사의 중심이 되는 강남은 관객의 시공간에서 한국 현대의 변화를 집약하는 실제 장소이며 한국 사회의 욕망을 대변하는 상징적 장소다. 한국인들은 경제개발을 최우선 과제로 삼은 상황에서 경제적 성취를 향한 비교와 경쟁에 익숙해졌고 도시화된 삶에서 자본주의가 생산해내는 상품과 새로움의 환상의 악순환에 묶였다고 할 수 있다. 이러한 의미에서 이 영화는 한국사회의 집단적 감정으로서 선망에 기댄 작품이라고 할 수 있다. "강남1970"은 그러한 한국인의 욕망의 양상을 조폭영화 서사로 풀어나간 영화라고 할 수 있다. 강한 야망과 폭력으로 급격하고 막대한 부의 성취를 하려는 개인의 모습이 그 시대 보통 사람의 욕망으로 치환되고 막대한 부에 대한 강한 야망, 폭력적이고 공격적인 정서가 거리감 없이 공유된다면 문제가 된다. 역사적 집단적 회고나 현재 사회적 정서가 선망으로 채색되는 것은 그 집단, 사회가 심리적 분열의 문제를 직시하지 못하고 있다는 표시가 될 수 있다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.312-318
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the effects of long-term and short-term embryo culture to assess whether there is a correlation between culture duration and clinical outcomes. Methods: Embryos were divided into two study groups depending on whether their post-warming culture period was long-term (20-24 hours) or short-term (2-4 hours). Embryo morphology was analyzed with a time-lapse monitoring device to estimate the appropriate timing and parameters for evaluating embryos with high implantation potency in both groups. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust the confounding factors across groups. The grades of embryos and blastocoels, morphokinetic parameters, implantation rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate were compared. Results: No significant differences were observed in the implantation rate or ongoing pregnancy rate between the two groups (long-term culture group vs. short-term culture group: 56.3% vs. 67.9%, p=0.182; 47.3% vs. 53.6%, p=0.513). After warming, there were more expanded and hatching/hatched blastocysts in the long-term culture group than in the short-term culture group, but there was no significant between-group difference in embryo grade. Regarding pregnancy outcomes, the time to complete blastocyst re-expansion after warming is shorter in women who became pregnant than in those who did not in both culture groups (long-term: 2.19±0.63 vs. 4.11±0.81 hours, p=0.003; short-term: 1.17±0.29 vs. 1.94±0.76 hours, p=0.018, respectively). Conclusion: The outcomes of short-term culture and long-term culture were not significantly different in vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer. Regardless of the post-warming culture time, the degree of blastocyst re-expansion 3-4 hours after warming is an important marker for embryo selection.