• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the accuracy and range of produced pitch in children with cochlear implants (CI) after an interval-based singing program. A total of three children with CIs aged 5 received twelve 35-minute individual sessions two to three times per week. The interval-based singing program was composed with third, fifth, and eighth intervals and implemented pitch discrimination, pitch imitation, and singing songs with target intervals in a sequence. At pretest and posttest, the changes in accuracy of pitch production during pitch imitation and singing were measured. The results demonstrated that all participants showed improvement in pitch accuracy and produced the target notes with great similarity to the expected pitches in the original song. The range of produced pitch also increased after the program. The results indicate that sequential trials to imitate pitches in a multisensory environment to facilitate the processing of pitch information may reflect how this population perceives pitch information and assist children with CIs to improve their pitch accuracy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.407-413
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• 2012

In previous studies, we performed joint animal studies and clinical trials between Yonsei University and Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co. Ltd. We have shown that coffee bean extract has potent anti-obesity and hypotriglyceridemic activities as well as beneficial effects on body fat reduction.In this study, the effects of coffee bean extract (100 mg/capsule) on body fat reduction were evaluated in overweight/obese women (body mass index of 25~30 $kg/m^2$ or body fat > 30%) not diagnosed with any type of disease. Subjects were randomly assigned to a coffee bean extract group (n=10) or placebo group (n=10). We measured anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computed tomography and blood components before and after the 8week intervention period. After supplementation, the coffee bean extract group showed body weight (p=0.08), body mass index (p=0.06), hip circumference (p<0.05), and upper waist circumference (p< 0.01). In addition, after 8 weeks, the coffee bean extract group showed a significant decrease in abdominal internal fat area compared to 0 weeks (0 weeks : $155.8cm^2$; 8 weeks : $145.9cm^2$, ${\Delta}$ change : $-9.9cm^2$, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in lipid profiles or serological measurements between the coffee bean extract group and placebo group. The results of our human study demonstrated that coffee bean extract supplementation for 8 weeks has beneficial effects on reducing abdominal internal fat area as well as hip and waist circumferences.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.158-164
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• 2014

Objective: To assess whether an early GnRH antagonist start leads to better follicular synchronization and an improved clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). Methods: A retrospective cohort study. A total of 218 infertile women who underwent IVF between January 2011 and February 2013. The initial cohort (Cohort I) that underwent IVF between January 2011 and March 2012 included a total of 68 attempted IVF cycles. Thirty-four cycles were treated with the conventional GnRH antagonist protocol, and 34 cycles with an early GnRH antagonist start protocol. The second cohort (Cohort II) that underwent IVF between June 2012 and February 2013 included a total of 150 embryo-transfer (ET) cycles. Forty-three cycles were treated with the conventional GnRH antagonist protocol, 34 cycles with the modified early GnRH antagonist start protocol using highly purified human menopause gonadotropin and an addition of GnRH agonist to the luteal phase support, and 73 cycles with the GnRH agonist long protocol. Results: The analysis of Cohort I showed that the number of mature oocytes retrieved was significantly higher in the early GnRH antagonist start cycles than in the conventional antagonist cycles (11.9 vs. 8.2, p=0.04). The analysis of Cohort II revealed higher but non-significant CPR/ET in the modified early GnRH antagonist start cycles (41.2%) than in the conventional antagonist cycles (30.2%), which was comparable to that of the GnRH agonist long protocol cycles (39.7%). Conclusion: The modified early antagonist start protocol may improve the mature oocyte yield, possibly via enhanced follicular synchronization, while resulting in superior CPR as compared to the conventional antagonist protocol, which needs to be studied further in prospective randomized controlled trials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7635-7638
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• 2013

Background: Sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) has been recently proposed as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis of several human tumors, including ovarian, cervical and breast cancers. Its clinical value remains to be clarified for endometrial cancer (EC). In this study, we investigated the utility of serum SPAG9 levels in diagnosis of EC and its association with important clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at a tertiary women's referral center in Ankara, Turkey. Preoperative serum samples were collected from patients surgically treated for endometrial cancer between June 2012-April 2013. Similar aged women with a biopsy proven benign endometrium were used as controls. Serum SPAG9 levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and assessed for links with clinicopathological factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess power of SPAG9 levels for EC prediction. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 63 women with EC and 27 with benign endometrium were included in the study. Mean age in the EC group was $58.7{\pm}1.1$. Median SPAG9 levels in the EC and control groups were 18.3 (range, 12.7-53.8) and 14.1 (range, 4.3-65.3), respectively (p<0.001). A cut-off value of 17 ng/ml for SPAG9 predicted presence of malignant endometrium with 74% sensitivity and 83% specificity [Area under curve (AUC)=0.82, p<0.001]. SPAG9 levels did not demonstrate any significant association with histological type, FIGO stage, tumor grade, size, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, cervical involvement, adnexal involvement, peritoneal cytology or lymph node status (all p>0.05). Conclusions: Testing for SPAG9 may be useful for early detection of EC in asymptomatic high-risk women. Its role in post-treatment follow-up and early detection of recurrence should be assessed in future trials.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.379-393
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• 1995

In spite of school science learning, the students' conceptions have not been changed easily. Therefore, to make students overcome their non scientific conceptions has been an important issue in science education. The purpose of this study was to identify the conceptions of students and teachers on the motion of the earth and the moon. The instrument was developed for estimating students' understandings of the concepts related to the motion of the earth and the moon. The validity of the instrument was examined by the specialists in Science Educator and Astronomer. At the same time, the two field trials had been executed, and the items were modified. Also, it consists of 12 items including 9 two-tier multiple choice items and 3 multiple choice items. The population of this study consists of 250 eighth-, 299 tenth-, 292 eleventh-grade students, 134 science teachers in secondary school. SPSS/PC+ was adopted for the statistical analysis. The type of misconceptions possessed students were as follows: 1) At 12:00 noon, the sun is directly overhead. 2) First quarter moon is a half of overall surface of the moon. 3) Air don't rotate with the earth surface because it keeps apart from the earth surface. 4) Summer is warmer than winter, because the earth is nearer from the sun in summer. 5) Whenever season is changed, the direction of rotation axis of the earth is changed. 6) The moon is the brightest at the position of new moon, because the distance between the moon and the sun is the shortest and the moon is received strongest sunlight. 7) The moon is not seen at the position of real full moon, because it is covered with shadow of the earth. 8) When the moon is not seen in the earth, sunlight is not reached at the moon. The major findings were as follows : 1) The middle school students had more misconceptions than those of high school students. And female students had more misconceptions than those of male ones. 2) The rate of correct answer and the type of conception in the tenth grade students were very similar with eleventh grade students. 3) The higher cognitive level, the better development of scientific conception and the less misconception. Also, the correlation coefficient between scientific conception score and GALT score was 0.57. 4) The students in scientific part had higher the rate of correct answer than those of students in human part and the former had less misconception than the latter. 5) The rate of correct answer about model and figure items was lower than descriptive ones, because they did not understand about figures itselves. These types of misconceptions will be used for science instruction and studies of other conceptions need.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2002

Field trials evaluating selected commercially available mosquito traps variously baited with light, carbon dioxide, and/or octenol were conducted from 18-27 September 2000 in a malarious area near Paekyeon-ri (Tongil-Chon) and Camp Greaves in Paju County, Kyonggi Province, Republic of Korea. The host-seeking activity for common mosquito species, including the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles. was determined using hourly aspirator collections from a human and propane lantern-baited Shannon trap doting hours when temperatures exceeded $15^{\circ}C$. The total number of mosquitoes and number of each species captured during the test was compared using a block design. Significant differences were observed for the total number of mosquitoes collected, such that, the Mosquito MagnetTM with octenol > Shannon trap > ABC light trap with light and dry ice > Miniature Black Light trap (manufactured by John W. Hock) $\geq$ New Jersey Trap > ABC light trap with light only. Significant differences in numbers collected among trapes were noted for several species including: Aedes vexans (Meigen), Anopheles lesteri Baisas and Hu. An. sinensis Weidemann, An. sineroides Yamada, An. yatsushiroensis Miyazaki. Culex pipiens pallets Coquillett L., Cx. orientalis Edwards and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Host-seeking activity for most common species showed a similar bimodal pattern. Results from these field trap evaluations can significantly enhance current vector and disease surveillance efforts especially for the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis, Cx. tritaeniorhunchus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.488-495
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• 2018

The p53 gene plays a critical role in the transcriptional regulation of cellular response to stress, DNA damage, hypoxia, and tumor development. Keeping in mind the recently discovered manifold physiological functions of p53, its involvement in the regulation of cancer is not surprising. In about 50% of all human cancers, inactivation of p53's protein function occurs either through mutations in the gene itself or defects in the mechanisms that activate it. This disorder plays a crucial role in tumor evolution by allowing the evasion of a p53-dependent response. Many recent studies have focused on directly targeting p53 mutants by identifying selective, small molecular compounds to deplete them or to restore their tumor-suppressive function. These small molecules should effectively regulate various interactions while maintaining good drug-like properties. Among them, the discovery of the key p53-negative regulator, MDM2, has led to the design of new small molecule inhibitors that block the interaction between p53 and MDM2. Some of these small molecule compounds have now moved from proof-of-concept studies into clinical trials, with prospects for further, more personalized anti-carcinogenic medicines. Here, we review the structural and functional consequences of wild type and mutant p53 as well as the development of therapeutic agents that directly target this gene, and compounds that inhibit the interaction between it and MDM2.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.79-85
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• 2010

Purpose: Many trials for new therapeutic approaches such as stem cell-based transplantation have been conducted to improve the repair and regeneration of injured cord tissue and to restore functions following spinal cord injury (SCI) in animals and humans. Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs) have multi-lineage potential to differentiate into cells with neuron-like morphology. Most studies of stem cell transplantation therapy after SCI are focused on cellular regeneration and restoration of motor function, but not on unwanted effects after transplantation such as neuropathic pain. This study was focused on whether transplantation of ATSCs could facilitate or attenuate hindpaw pain responses to heat, cold and mechanical stimulation, as well as on improvement of locomotor function in a rat with SCI. Methods: A spinal cord injury rat model was produced using an NYU impactor by dropping a 10 g rod from a height of 25 mm on to the T9 segment. Human ATSCs (hATSCs; approximately $5{\times}10^5$ cells) or DMEM were injected into the perilesional area 9 days after the SCI. After transplantation, hindpaw withdrawal responses to heat, cold and mechanical allodynia were measured over 7 weeks. Motor recovery on the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and on the inclined plane test were also evaluated. Results: The present study demonstrated that increased hindpaw withdrawal responses to cold allodynia was observed in both groups after transplantation, but the development of cold-induced allodynia in the hATSC transplantation group was significantly larger than in the control group. The difference between the two groups in locomotor functional improvement after SCI was also significant. Conclusion: Careful consideration not only of optimal functional benefits but also of unintended side effects such as neuropathic pain is necessary before stem cell transplantation therapy after SCI.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.3-20
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• 2018

Pharmacopunture is a new combined method of acupunture and oriental drugs. Recently, this method is widely used to treat traffic accident patients in oriental medicine. However, there is no evidences of treatment, no information of effects and side-effects of this method, and no information of drugs used. In South Korea, western medicine and oriental medicine are regulated differently. When a new technology is invented in the area of western medicine, that method should pass several stages of clinical trials. After that processes, that method can be done as a medical practice. However, in the area of oriental medicine, there is no process like that. According to in South Korea, medical practice without license are composed of two behaviors. First type is that medical practice is done by a person who has no medical license. Second type is that medical practice is done by a person who has a medical license but the area of the license is different. Because of this reason, the distinction between the western medical practices and the oriental medical practices is very important. Medical practices are protected by license mainly because they can harm human life or body. When we invented new medical practice and try to practice it to the patients, we should consider the risk of that method whether it is western medical practice or oriental medical practice. It is not clear that the pharmcopunture which has been done is satisfied the standard of medical treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.45-66
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find parameters to compare the effects of Sa-Am acupuncture with gall bladder jeonggyeok and seunggyeok on radial pulse in healthy subjects. Methods : 60 healthy subjects participated in this study and divided into the gall bladder jeonggyeok group (GB+ group), the gall bladder seunggyeok group (GB- group) and the control group. Radial pulse was measured by a 3 dimensional pulse imaging system (DMP-3000) before, immediately after, 30 minutes after and 60 minutes after acupuncture on the Cun, Guan and Chi in the GB+, GB- group and at the same time for the control group. Results : 1. The GB+ and GB- group exhibited significantly increased T, M4/M1 and decreased T1/T, T2/T, T5/T, M1, M2 compared to the control group. 2. The GB+ and GB- group exhibited significantly increased H4, Ad/Ap, RAI/HR and decreased As/Ap, Aw/Ap in the right Guan and decreased pulse power volume/min in the left Guan compared to the control group. 3. The GB- group exhibited significantly decreased M3, M3/M1 and increased M4/M1, M5, M5/M1 compared to the GB+ group. The GB+ group exhibited significantly decreased T4/(T-T4) compared to the GB- group. 4. The GB- group exhibited significantly decreased H1 in the right Guan, Chi, H4, pulse area in the right Chi, H5, pulse power volume/min in the left Chi, right Chi, and increased main peak angle in the right Guan, Chi compared to the GB+ group. Conclusion : The effect of gall bladder jeonggyeok and seunggyeok in healthy humans may be observed on various parameters. The parameters analyzed in this study may be used to differentiate effects between gall bladder jeonggyeok and seunggyeok on radial pulse. Further studies on the effects of Sa-Am acupuncture using radial pulse are needed.