• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.7 no.12
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• pp.37-50
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• 2017

This study was performed to understand Malaysian Muslims' awareness, attitudes and purchasing behaviour on ginseng (G) and red ginseng (RG) products. A survey of 200 Muslims residing in Malaysia was conducted on awareness, eating experience, preferences, cognitive efficiency of G and RG products, purchase behaviors and satisfaction through a online-survey methodology. Results shows that 50 % and 40% of the participants aware the G and RG products. In particular, awareness amongst female or married consumers is relatively high. Health promotion is the major reasons to consume eat G and RG products in this group of participants. However, the most frequently consumed type of G products was ginseng coffee, candies and chocolates, in their 40s and 50s or married consumers. Participants are also aware of the efficacy claims of these products with regard to improvement of fatigue, immunity and hypertension. While Malaysian Muslim consumers are satisfied with the health claims, convenience to purchase and tastes and aroma, they are dissatisfied with packaging specifications, price. Participants would intend to recommend G and RG products to relatives (82.6%), and are willing to buy them in the future (83.5%). Conclusively, there must be a clear interest and demands of Halal-certified G and RG products among Malaysian Muslims and it is deemed to need of strategic product development and marketing to enhance awareness of G and RG products in the future.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2023

Purpose: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is widely used in patients with flail chests, and several studies have reported the efficacy of SSRF even in multiple rib fractures. However, few reports have discussed the hardware failure (HF) of implanted plates. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with HF after SSRF and further investigate the related factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who underwent SSRF for multiple rib fractures at a level I trauma center in Korea between January 2014 and January 2021. We defined HF as the unintentional loosening of screws, dislocation, or breakage of the implanted plates. The baseline characteristics, surgical outcomes, and types of HF were assessed. Results: During the study period, 728 patients underwent SSRF, of whom 80 (10.9%) were diagnosed with HF. The mean age of HF patients was 56.5±13.6 years, and 66 (82.5%) were men. There were 59 cases (73.8%) of screw loosening, 21 (26.3%) of plate breakage, 17 (21.3%) of screw migration, and seven (8.8%) of plate dislocation. Nine patients (11.3%) experienced wound infection, and 35 patients (43.8%) experienced chronic pain. A total of 21 patients (26.3%) underwent reoperation for plate removal. The patients in the reoperation group were significantly younger, had fewer fractures and plates, underwent costal fixation, and had a longer follow-up. There were no significant differences in subjective chest symptoms or lung capacity. Conclusions: HF after SSRF occurred in 10.9% of the cases, and screw loosening was the most common. Further longitudinal studies are needed to identify risk factors for SSRF failure.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.367-377
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• 2023

This study investigates the utility of the Triglyceride-glucose(TyG) index and Cardiometabolic Index(CMI) as predictors for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. The study involved 1970 males, 1459 females, totaling 3429 participants who underwent health checkups at P Hospital in Busan between January 2023 and June 2023. Metabolic syndrome diagnosis was based on the presence of 3 or more risk factors out of the 5 criteria outlined by the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute(AHA/NHLBI), and participants with 2 or fewer risk factors were categorized as normal. Statistical analyses included independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests, Pearson's correlation analysis, Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC) curve analysis, and logistic regression analysis, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS) program. Significance was established at p<0.05. The comparison revealed that the metabolic syndrome group exhibited attributes such as advanced age, male gender, elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures, high blood sugar, elevated triglycerides, reduced LDL-C, elevated HDL-C, higher Cardiometabolic Index, Triglyceride-glucose index, and components linked to abdominal obesity. Pearson correlation analysis showed strong positive correlations between waist circumference/height ratio, waist circumference, Cardiometabolic Index, and triglycerides. Weak positive correlations were observed between LDL-C, body mass index, and Cardiometabolic index, while a strong negative correlation was found between Cardiometabolic Index and HDL-C. ROC analysis indicated that the Cardiometabolic Index(CMI), Triglyceride-glucose(TyG) index, and waist circumference demonstrated the highest Area Under the Curve(AUC) values, indicating their efficacy in diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Optimal cut-off values were determined as >1.34, >8.86, and >84.5 for the Cardiometabolic Index, Triglyceride-glucose index, and waist circumference, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant differences for age(p=0.037), waist circumference(p<0.001), systolic blood pressure(p<0.001), triglycerides(p<0.001), LDL-C(p=0.028), fasting blood sugar(p<0.001), Cardiometabolic Index(p<0.001), and Triglyceride-glucose index (p<0.001). The odds ratios for these variables were 1.015, 1.179, 1.090, 3.03, and 69.16, respectively. In conclusion, the Cardiometabolic Index and Triglyceride-glucose index are robust predictive indicators closely associated with metabolic syndrome diagnosis, and waist circumference is identified as an excellent predictor. Integrating these variables into clinical practice holds the potential for enhancing early diagnosis and prevention of metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.620-631
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• 2020

Purpose We aimed to assess local tumor progression (LTP) rate and associated prognostic factors in 92 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using saline-perfused electrodes to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≤ 5 cm). Materials and Methods Total 92 patients with 148 HCCs were treated with RFA using saline-perfused electrodes, from 2009 to 2015. We retrospectively evaluated technical success, technique efficacy, and LTP rates. Potential prognostic factors for LTP were perivascular tumor, subphrenic tumor, artificial ascites, tumor size (≥ 2 cm), and previous treatment of transarterial chemoembolization. Analysis was performed by lesion, rather than by person. Results During follow-up period from 1 to 97.4 months, total cumulative LTP rates were 7.9%, 11.4%, and 14.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. These values were significantly higher in the perivascular (35.1%; p = 0.009) and subphrenic group (38.9%; p = 0.002) at 5-year. We did not observe any significant difference in LTP according to other prognostic factors (p > 0.05). Conclusion RFA with saline-perfused electrode is a safe and effective treatment modality for HCC (≤ 5 cm), with lower LTP rates. Nevertheless, perivascular and subphrenic HCCs demonstrated higher LTP rate than other sites. It is imperative to note that perivascular and subphrenic location of HCC are associated with a high risk of local recurrence, despite the use of saline-perfused electrodes.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.631-640
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate the value of airway computed tomography (CT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a predictor of cerebrocardiovascular disease (CCVD) clinically, by quantitatively analyzing carotid arterial calcification (CarAC). Materials and Methods: This study included 287 patients aged 40-80 years, who had undergone both polysomnography (PSG) and airway CT between March 2011 and October 2015. The carotid arterial calcium score (CarACS) was quantified using the modified Agatston method on each upper airway CT. The OSA severity was categorized as normal, mild, moderate, and severe using the PSG results. Clinical characteristics, comorbid diseases, and lipid profiles of all patients were analyzed, and the prevalence of CCVDs was investigated during the follow up period (52.2 ± 16.0 months). Results: CCVD occurred in 27 patients (9.3%) at the end of follow-up, and the CCVD-present groups showed a significantly older mean age (57.5 years vs. 54.2 years), higher prevalence of hypertension (59% vs. 34%) and CarAC (51.9% vs. 20.8%), whereas sex, other comorbid diseases, and severity of OSA were not significantly different from the CCVD-absent group. A univariate analysis showed that age, hypertension, incidence of CarAC, and CarACS were risk factors for the occurrence of CCVD events. In a multivariate analysis, the incidence of CarAC was the only independent risk factor for CCVD. Conclusion: CarAC is an independent risk factor for CCVD, whereas the severity of OSA is not a contributory risk factor in patients with OSA. Therefore, additional analysis of CarACS based on airway CT scans may be useful for predicting CCVD.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.391-406
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• 2024

The current distribution of digital news has the potential to produce politically biased information for users as a result of individual choices and media selection based on those choices. Consequently, this research explored the factors affecting individual news selection and the effects of opinion changes and political participation that can occur when news tailored to users' partisan preferences is recommended. The phenomenon of selective exposure has been shown to be stronger when individuals utilize more limited information processing, experience higher discussion efficacy among groups with similar political beliefs. Furthermore, When a selective exposure group was randomly provided with a one-way message news that matched their partisan leanings, it was found that opinion consolidation, opinion-reinforcing information processing, and online political participation. On the other hand, when they were randomly presented with two-way messaging news in which the media balanced two competing partisan positions, they were found to be more likely to understand the other side's views and arguments, and more willing to adjust their existing opinions. We are confirmed that the balanced use of various opinions is very important in deliberative democratic process.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1635-1647
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• 2023

Muscle atrophy, which is defined as a decrease in muscle mass and strength, is caused by an imbalance between the anabolism and catabolism of muscle proteins. Thus, modulating the homeostasis between muscle protein synthesis and degradation represents an efficient treatment approach for this condition. In the present study, the protective effects against muscle atrophy of ethanol extracts of Morus alba L. (MA) and Angelica keiskei Koidz. (AK) leaves and their mixtures (MIX) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that MIX increased 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide-induced C2C12 myotube thinning, and enhanced soleus and gastrocnemius muscle thickness compared to each extract alone in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy Sprague Dawley rats. In addition, although MA and AK substantially improved grip strength and histological changes for dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in vivo, the efficacy was superior in the MIX-treated group. Moreover, MIX further increased the expression levels of myogenic factors (MyoD and myogenin) and decreased the expression levels of E3 ubiquitin ligases (atrogin-1 and muscle-specific RING finger protein-1) in vitro and in vivo compared to the MA- and AK-alone treatment groups. Furthermore, MIX increased the levels of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) that were reduced by dexamethasone, and downregulated the expression of forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a) induced by dexamethasone. These results suggest that MIX has a protective effect against muscle atrophy by enhancing muscle protein anabolism through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and attenuating catabolism through the inhibition of FoxO3a.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.292-304
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• 2024

This study compared and evaluated the antioxidant activities of Symphoricarpos albus(S. albus) extract and fermented extract. Antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP, and ABTS. Concentrations were measured at 200, 100, 50, and 10 ㎍/mL, and antioxidant activity increased in a concentration-dependent manner. S. albus leaves fermented extracts had the highest antioxidant activity. And this study evaluated the safety and tail regeneration of S. albus extract using zebrafish model embryos. Zebrafish are in the spotlight as an alternative animal and can be used for cosmetic research. Zebrafish embryos were collected and evaluated for coagulation rate, hatching rate, and cardiotoxicity. As a result, it was toxic at concentrations above 100 ㎍/ml. The tail was cut and the regenerative effect was observed for 3 days. As a result, from 72 hours, S. albus 200ug/ml leaf extract showed a 17% regenerative effect compared to the control group. These results suggest that S. albus can be used as a natural material for antioxidant and regeneration for skin improvement.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.97-119
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• 1991

Effect of Streptococcus faecium(SF) and an antibiotic, Colistin(Col), supplemented to diets singly or in combination, on the performances and changes of intestinal population of microflora of broiler chicks studied. A total of 252, day-old chicks(Arbor Acre) of mixed sex(M：F＝1：1) were alloted into six groups. A diet with no Col and SF was referred as a control diet. The basal diets were added with two levels of SF, 0.04 and 0.08%, singly or in combination with Col 10ppm Another diet was prepared by adding only Col 10 ppm. Numbers of the microorganism in diets added with SF 0.04% and 0.08% were 7$\times$10$^{4}$ and 1.4$\times$10$^{5}$ /g diet respectively The diets consisting of corn and soybean meal as major ingredients were fed for a period of seven weeks . During the feeding trial, fresh excreta were sampled at the end of every week in a sterilized condition to count microbial changes from each dietary group. Microbial changes of large intestine were also measured from nine birds sacrificed at the end of the 4th and 7th weeks each time per dietary group. Excreta from all the groups were also collected quantitatively at the end of 3rd and 6th weeks to measure digestibility of the diets, At the end of 7th week, nine birds from each group were also sacrificed to measure weight changes of gastrointestinal tracts . Average body weight gains of broilers fed the diets added with SF 0.08% (2.37kg) or SF 0. 08%+col 10ppm(2.34kg) were significantly larger than that of the control(2.18kg). The weight gains of the other groups were not statistically different from that of the control Feed/gain ratios of the supplemental groups were better than that of control (P＜0.05) except that of birds fed the diet added only with SF 0.04%. Digestibilities of nutrients such as dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and total carbohydrates were not altered by the consumption of the diets added with SF and/or Col throughout the whole feeding period. As expected, the numbers of Streptococci in the excreta from birds fed diets added with SF increased significantly with a statistical difference between groups with SF 0.04% and SF 0.08% most of the time. However. addition of Colistin to the diets supplemented with SF did not give any effects on the number of the microorganism. Numbers of coliforms in the excreta were apparently reduced by feeding the diets added with SF and/or Col(P＜0.05). There were, however, no additive effects observed between the two feed additives in this regard when supplementing Col to the SF diets. Distributions of intestinal microflora exhibited exactly the same pattern as those of the excreta. Length of small intestine of the birds fed diets added with SF 0.08% with or without Col 10 ppm became significantly longer with a range of about 10% than those of the birds fed diets without SF. However, the empty weight of the small inestine of the former group was lighter than that of control These changes resulted in a significant reduction in weight/unit length of the intestine of the birds fed diets supplemented with Col and SF singly or in combination. In overall conclusion, diet added with SF 0.08% appeared most effective in improving broiler performances. Colistin added at a level of 10ppm was not beneficial at all in itself or in combination with SF in terms of broiler performances or changes of intestinal microflora population. The efficacy of SF and Col could be attributed to the changes of wall thickness of the small intestine.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.836-843
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• 1997

Background : The prevalence of Gastro-esophageal reflux(GER) in patients with asthma is estimated to be 50~60% and treatment of GER has been shown to improve asthma symptoms in Western. But GER has been known to be less common in Eastern and GER prevalence rates in asthmatics are not available in Korea. Method : We compared the prevalence rate of GER in 42 patients with asthma to that in 20 healthy normal controls and examed the efficacy of new prokinetic drug, cisapride(40mg/day, 8weeks) in patients with GER and asthma. For acid GER to be considered pathological, 24 hour esophageal pH monitoring should reveal values exceeding upper limit of 95 percentile for at least one of 6 parameter of DeMesseter's table. Result : The results showed GER was more common in patients with asthma(11/42, 26.2%) than normal controls(3/20, 15%) and asthmatics group showed a significant longer supine time pH<4(%) and total time pH<4(%), and more reflux episodes as compared with normal control group. After 4 asthmatics with GER were treated with cisapride, their asthma symtom scores, FEV1 and composite scores of pH monitoring were improved. Conclusion : GER is more common in asthmatics than in normal controls in Korea and prepulsid reduces asthma symptoms in patients with GER and asthma.