• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.11
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• pp.573-579
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• 2018

Background and Objectives Cochlear dead region (CDR) is a region in the cochlear where hearing loss has occurred due to damage to the inner hair cells and/or neurons. Recently, a subjective test involving a pure-tone test in the presence of threshold-equalizing noise (TEN) was introduced to identify CDR. However, for uncooperative patients, such a subjective method would be unsuitable and objective methods would be needed instead to detect CDR. The acoustic change complex (ACC) is an evoked potential elicited by changes in the ongoing sound. In this study, we developed an objective method of identifying CDR by combining ACC response with a TEN test, namely the TEN-ACC test, and investigated its feasibility in normal-hearing listeners. Subjects and Method Ten normal-hearing subjects participated in this study. All subjects underwent both behavioral TEN test and electrophysiological TEN-ACC test. The stimuli for the TEN-ACC test consisted of TEN and embedded pure tones with different frequencies/signals to noise ratios (SNRs). To identify the thresholds, the range SNR of stimulation was varied from 0 to 20 dB, in stages of 4 dB. Results The ACC responses of all subjects who participated in this study were well elicited by stimuli developed for the TEN-ACC test. We confirm that the pure-tones embedded in TEN elicited the objective ACC response. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the novel TEN-ACC test can be applied to evoke ACC in normal-hearing listeners. Future research should incorporate hearing-impaired listeners to determine the feasibility of the TEN-ACC test as an objective method to identify CDR.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.269-269
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• 2012

A new ion source has been designed, fabricated, and installed at the NBTS (Neutral Beam Test Stand) at the KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) site. The goalis to provide a 100 keV, 2MW deuterium neutral beam injection as an auxiliary heating of KSTAR (Korea Super Tokamak Advanced Research). To cope with power demand, an ion current of 50 A is required considering the beam power loss and neutralization efficiency. The new ion source consists of a magnetic cusp bucket plasma generator and a set of tetrode accelerators with circular copper apertures. The plasma generator for the new ion source has the same design concept as the modified JAEA multi-cusp plasma generator for the KSTAR prototype ion source. The dimensions of the plasma generator are a cross section of $59{\times}25cm^2$ with a 32.5 cm depth. The anode has azimuthal arrays of Nd-Fe permanent magnets (3.4 kG at surface) in the bucket and an electron dump, which makes 9 cusp lines including the electron dump. The discharge properties were investigated preliminarily to enhance the efficiency of the beam extraction. The discharge of the new ion source was mainly controlled by a constant power mode of operation. The discharge of the plasma generator was initiated by the support of primary electrons emitted from the cathode, consisting of 12 tungsten filaments with a hair-pin type (diameter = 2.0 mm). The arc discharge of the new ion source was achieved easily up to an arc power of 80 kW (80 V/1000 A) with hydrogen gas. The 80 kW capacity seems sufficient for the arc power supply to attain the goal of arc efficiency (beam extracted current/discharge input power = 0.8 A/kW). The accelerator of the new ion source consists of four grids: plasma grid (G1), gradient grid (G2), suppressor grid (G3), and ground grid (G4). Each grid has 280 EA circular apertures. The performance tests of the new ion source accelerator were also finished including accelerator conditioning. A hydrogen ion beam was successfully extracted up to 100 keV /60 A. The optimum perveance is defined where the beam divergence is at a minimum was also investigated experimentally. The optimum hydrogen beam perveance is over $2.3{\mu}P$ at 60 keV, and the beam divergence angle is below $1.0^{\circ}$. Thus, the new ion source is expected to be capable of extracting more than a 5 MW deuterium ion beam power at 100 keV. This ion source can deliver ~2 MW of neutral beam power to KSTAR tokamak plasma for the 2012 campaign.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.110-114
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• 2015

Purpose: Growth and differentiation factor (GDF)-11 is a transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ family member that plays important regulatory roles in development of multiple tissues which include axial skeletal patterning, palatal closure, and tooth formation. Proteins that have been identified as GDF-11 inhibitors include GDF-associated serum protein (GASP)-1 and GASP-2. Recently, we found that mice genetically engineered to lack both Gasp1 and Gdf11 have an increased frequency of cleft palate. The goal of this study was to investigate the roles of GDF-11 and its inhibitors, GASP-1 and GASP-2, during dental and craniofacial development and growth. Methods: Mouse genetic studies were used in this study. Homozygous knockout mice for Gasp1 ($Gasp1^{-/-}$) and Gasp2 ($Gasp2^{-/-}$) were viable and fertile, but Gdf11 homozygous knockout ($Gdf11^{-/-}$) mice died within 24 hours after birth. The effect of either Gasp1 or Gasp2 deletion in $Gdf11^{-/-}$ mice during embryogenesis was evaluated in $Gasp1^{-/-}$;$Gdf11^{-/-}$ and $Gasp2^{-/-}$;$Gdf11^{-/-}$ mouse embryos at 18.5 days post-coitum (E18.5). For the analysis of adult tissues, we used $Gasp1^{-/-}$;$Gdf11^{+/-}$ and $Gasp2^{-/-}$;$Gdf11^{+/-}$ mice to evaluate the potential haploinsufficiency of Gdf11 in $Gasp1^{-/-}$ and $Gasp2^{-/-}$ mice. Results: Although Gasp2 expression decreased after E10.5, Gasp1 expression was readily detected in various ectodermal tissues at E17.5, including hair follicles, epithelium in nasal cavity, retina, and developing tooth buds. Interestingly, $Gasp1^{-/-}$;$Gdf11^{-/-}$ mice had abnormal formation of lower incisors: tooth buds for lower incisors were under-developed or missing. Although $Gdf11^{+/-}$ mice were viable and had mild transformations of the axial skeleton, no specific defects in the craniofacial development have been observed in $Gdf11^{+/-}$ mice. However, loss of Gasp1 in $Gdf11^{+/-}$ mice occasionally resulted in small and abnormally shaped auricles. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both GASP-1 and GDF-11 play important roles in dental and craniofacial development both during embryogenesis and in adult tissues.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8101-8105
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Colorectal Cancer-specific Quality Of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-CR29). Materials and Methods: We studied 93 patients recruited from University Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using a self-administered method. Tools included QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 and Karnofsky Performance Scales (KPS). Statistical analyses included Cronbach's alpha, test-retest correlations, multi-traits scaling and known-groups comparisons. A p vaue ${\leq}0.05$ was considered significant. Results: The internal consistency coefficients for body image, urinary frequency, blood and mucus and stool frequency scales were acceptable (Cronbach's alpha ${\alpha}{\geq}0.65$). However, the coefficients were low for the blood and mucus and stool frequency scales in patients with a stoma bag (${\alpha}=0.46$). Test-retest correlation coefficients were moderate to high (range: r = 0.51 to 1.00) for most of the scales except anxiety, urinary frequency, buttock pain, hair loss, stoma care related problems, and dyspareunia (r ${\leq}0.49$). Convergent and discriminant validities were achieved in all scales. Patients with a stoma reported significantly higher symptoms of blood and mucus in the stool, flatulence, faecal incontinence, sore skin, and embarrassment due to the frequent need to change the stoma bag (p < 0.05) compared to patients without stoma. None of the scales distinguished between patients based on the KPS scores. There were no overlaps between scales in the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 (r < 0.40). Conclusions: the BM version of the QLQ-CR29 indicated acceptable psychometric properties in most of the scales similar to original validation study. This questionnaire could be used to complement the QLQ-C30 in assessing HRQOL among BM speaking population with colorectal cancer.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.664-677
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• 1993

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the development of educational material in Korean for patient3 being discharge after open heart surgery. The subjects were 45 adult patients who were seen in the out -patient department of the thoracic surgery unit of P University hospital between February 1993 and May 1993. The data were collected through a chart review and interview. Nursing needs, and the patients status related to diet, activity, medication, physical and psychoemotional limitations were analyzed. The results are summarized as follows ; 1. Mitral valve replacement was the most frequent type of surgery(91.2%). In most cases, a mechanical valve was used (91.0%) . The duration of admission after the operation was two to four weeks for most of the patients(48.9%). The follow-up period was between one and two years for 28.9% of the patients and below 6 years for all of the patients. 2. Many Patients didn’t know the importance of a low salt diet(57.8%), and did not get any education on low salt diet (66.7%). Gimchi was included as one of the most commonly ingested foods (77.8%). All of the patients indicated nursing needs related to education about low salt diets and further they indicated a major interest in foods that are harmful (57.7%) or foods that are safe(51.1% ). 3. Most patients did not recognize the need for limitations on physical activity(84.4%). Further, 31.1％ of them could not return to work at the time of the study. All patients had nursing needs related to physical activity, with the most frequent questions being about the permissble degree of activity and special cautions dictated by their illness (60.0%). 4. Many patients were ignorant of the necessity of medication(55.6%) . Forty percent of the patients were taking additional drugs, usually herb drugs. The time and duration of medication and the side effects of drugs were common concerns (57.7%) related to nursing. needs about medication and were mentioned by all of the patients. 5. All of the patients complained of physical discomfort including the following : memory disturbance(62.2%), weight gain(60.0%), chest tightness (55.6%), hair loss(51.1%), sleep disturbance(46.7%) and other symptoms in that order of frequency. Nursing needs related to physical condition were a concern for all of them. The viability and function of the replaced valve(53.3%) and weight gain(60.0%) were mal or concerns. 6. Looking at their psychoemotional condition it was found that 36 patients(80.0%) were emotionally unstable. The causes were physical discomfort(17 patients), insufficient knowlege of open heart surgery(6 patients), fear of death(6 patients), familial over protection(2 patients ) and lack of support (5 patients).

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2001

Background : The coronal incision is versatile surgical approach to upper and middle region of the facial skeletal including the zygomatic arch. The advantages of coronal approach are minimal injury of facial tissue including facial nerve and satisfactory cosmetic result by hidden scar at hair. But wide exposure of scalp, its disadvantages are operation time and massive blood loss. Methods : Thirty patients undergoing elective surgery were divided 3 groups. Group I used only coronal approach, group II used coronal with subciliary approach and group III used coronal with subciliary and intraoral approach. And then retrospected of the preoperative, postoperative red blood cell count, hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit, transfused red blood cell units and platelet cell units, and the amount of infused crystalloids and colloids, and postoperative hemovac count was estimated. Results: 1. Red blood cell count were decreased in all groups at immediated postoperation and decreased in all group of postoperative first day and decreased in group I, II but increased group III of postoperative third day. 2. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were decreased in all group at immediated postoperation and decreased in all group of postoperative first day and decreased in group I, II., but increased group III postoperative third day. 3. Platelet was decreased in all group at immediated postoperation, and decreased in group II, III but increased in group I of postoperative first day and decreased in group I but increased group II, III of postoperative third day. 4. Mean postoperative hemovac mean drainage group I of first day is $48.63{\pm}21.12ml$ and second day is $23.92{\pm}19.53ml$ and third day is $7.82{\pm}5.32ml$ and group II of first day $60.45{\pm}22.65ml$ and second day is $22.14{\pm}13.21ml$ and third day is $7.32{\pm}6.25ml$. III group of first day $58.16{\pm}10.13ml$ and second day is $21.27{\pm}11.72ml$ and third day is $7.13{\pm}4.90ml$. 5. Infusion of group I is mean PRC $1.08{\pm}0.91$ pint, FFP $1.03{\pm}0.75$ pint, crystalloid $2562.23{\pm}1345.53ml$ and group II is mean PRC $1.05{\pm}0.89$ pint, FFP $1.71{\pm}0.78$, crystalloid $2650.47{\pm}1096.36ml$ and group III is mean PRC $1.79{\pm}1.45$ pint, crystalloid $3295.43{\pm}1472.432ml$.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.17-17
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• 2010

Ethylene, known as a stress hormone regulate wide developmental processes including germination, root hair initiation, root and shoot primordial formation and elongation, leaf and flower senescence and abscission, fruit ripening. The acceleration of ethylene biosynthesis in plant associated with environmental and biological stresses. 1-Aminocycloprophane-1-carboxlyate deaminase(ACCD) is an enzyme that cleaves ACC into and ammonia, a precursor of the plant hormone ethylene. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) having ACCD can decrease endogenous ACC level of tissue, resulting in reduced production of ethylene in plants. ACC deaminse was a key enzyme for protect stressed plants from injurious effects of ethylene. ACCD gene was encoded from Pseudomonas flourescens, PGPR and was cloned in Escherichia coli. We expressed the recombinant ACCD(rACCD) containing 357 amino acids with molecular weight 39 kDa that revealed by SDS-PAGE and western blot. The rACCD was purified by Ni-NTA purification system. The active form of rACCD having enzyme activity converted ACC to a-ketobutyrate. The optimal pH for ACC deaminase activity was pH 8.5, but no activity below pH 7.0 and a less severe tapering activity at base condition resulting in loss of activity at over pH 11. The optimal temperature of the enzyme was $30^{\circ}$ and a slightly less severe tapering activity at 15 - 30$^{\circ}$, but no activity over $35^{\circ}$. P. flourescens ACC deaminase has a highly conserved residue that plays in allowing substrate accessibility to the active sites. The enzymatic properties of this rACCD will provide an important reference for analysis of newly isolated ACCD and identification of newly isolated PGPR containing ACCD.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.83-88
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential adverse effects of CKD-602 by a 5-day repeated intravenous dose in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test article, CKD-602, was administered intravenously to male and female rats at dose levels of 0.07, 0.22, 0.67, 2.0 and 6.0 mg/kg/day for 5 days consecutively. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for the 14-day period after cessation of the administration. At the end of 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem examinations were performed. There were 2 and 5 treatment related deaths in the 0.67 and 2.0 mg/kg/day dose groups of both genders, respectively. Treatment related clinical signs, including hair loss, skin paleness, decreased locomotor activity, emaciation, and changes in stool were observed in a dose-dependent manner from the third day after initiation of the injection. Decrease or suppression of body weight was also observed dose-dependently in males and females of the treated groups. Gross postmortem examinations revealed a dose-dependent increase in the incidence and severity of atrophy or hypertrophy and white membrane formation in the spleen, atrophy of the thymus, diffuse white spots and paleness of the liver, paleness of the lung, kidney and adrenal gland, and dark red discoloration and dark red contents in the alimentary tract. Based on these results, it was concluded that the 5-repeated intravenous injection of CKD-602 to male and female rats resulted in increased incidence of abnormal clinical signs and death, decreased or suppressed body weight, and increased incidence of abnormal gross findings. In the present experimental conditions, the $LD_{50}$ value was 2.07 (95% confidence limit not specified) mg/kg/day in both genders and the $LD_{10}$ value was 1.72 (95% confidence limit not specified) mg/kg/day in both genders.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5927-5936
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• 2014

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Jordanians. Breast cancer patients suffer from several negative consequences after treatment and these include pain, fatigue, sexual problems, appearance and body image concerns, with psychological dysfunction. This could affect the patient quality of life and psychological well-being. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published quantitative data on the quality of life and psychological well-being of breast cancer patients in Jordan. The objective of this study was to obtain such data and assess predictors with calculated scores. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted among breast cancer patients in Jordan diagnosed in 2009 and 2010, assessment was performed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Breast Module (QLQ-BR23) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Clinical, demographic and psychosocial indicators that could predict patient quality of life scores were collected. Results: The number of patients interviewed was 236 (mean age=$50.7{\pm}10.7$ years). The mean Global Health score for the QLQ-C30 was $63.7{\pm}20.2$ SD. Among functional scales, "social functioning" scored the highest ($mean=78.1{\pm}28.6$ SD), whereas "emotional functioning" scored the lowest ($mean=59.0{\pm}SD\;33.5$). For the QLQ-BR23, the worst scores within the functional scales were for "body image" ($mean=52.1{\pm}36.8$ SD) and "future perspective" ($mean=52.9{\pm}38.5$ SD). The worst symptom was "upset by hair loss" ($mean=69.8{\pm}43.0$). The mean HADS scores was $18.{\pm}9.0$ SD. Out of study participants, 53% scored abnormal on the anxiety scale and 45% on the depression scale. Severe depression and severe anxiety were detected among 8% and 14% of study participants, respectively. Statistically significant predictors for individual scores were similar to those reported in published studies, such as the presence of recurrence since baseline, family history of cancer, low educational status, current social problems, extent of the disease, presence of financial difficulties, and employment status. Conclusions and Recommendations: Breast cancer survivors in Jordan have overall good quality of life scores when compared with patients from Western countries. However, their psychological wellbeing is more impaired. There is an urgent need for psychosocial support programs and psychological screening and consultation for breast cancer patients at hospitals of the Ministry of Health in Jordan.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.166-171
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• 1999

Purpose : To get the data for public information and education of medical students about radiation therapy (RT). Materials and Methods : We evaluated the knowledge and attitudes towards the RT and cancer in the third grade medical students who did not receive a lecture before starting the poly-clinic education about radiation oncology in our medical school, We obtained a total of 142 answers from the students that completed the questionnaire. Results : More than half of the third grade medical students answered 1 question correctly and 5 questions incorrectly among 6 questions about knowledge of RT. Incorrect answers were done about the frequency of RT, hair loss, the period of RT, re-RT, cost of RT, Fifty-six percent of students didn't wish to prolong the survival time from 1 year to 3 years with long courses of chemotherapy and RT. They had bad images about cancer of colorectum, lung, esophagus, liver, breast, cervix which consist of 56.3$\%$ of patients receiving RT. Conclusions : Public information about the basic points of RT should be considered. Also the students showed the pessimism about the anticancer treatments such as chemotherapy and RT, so the exact results and positive aspects of anticancer treatment should be educated more. Especially it is needed to inform the students and the public the positive aspects of RT in some cancers (colorectal, lung, esophageal, hepatic, breast, cervix cancers) which the students had bad images about.