• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 1997

Objective : Accumulating evidence suggests a greater number of subcortical hyperintensities in the brain of patients with bipolar disorder. We studied the Clinical correlates of subcortical hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Bipolar Disorder : Methods : Magnetic resonance images of the brain were obtained for 32 patients with bipolar disorder. The presence and location of hyperintensities were assessed. We compared clinical variables between patients with subcortical hyperintensities and patients without them. Results : Seven patients(21.8%) had subcortical hyperintensities, but among 8 patients who were 40 years or older, 5 patients(62%) had them. Age and age at onset of patients with subcortical hyperintensities were significantly older than patients without them. Psychotic symptoms were more frequent in patients with hyperintensities. Patients without hyperintensities had more familial loadings. Conclusion : Given the limitations of the study, our results should be seen as preliminary. This study, however, provides preliminary evidence supporting the notion that the onset, clinical feature and course of some bipolar disorders of late onset may be determined by underlying subcortical abnormalities, with such abnormalities being the consequence of factors related to aging or neurodegeneration(such as impaired cerebral circulation) rather than genetic factors which predispose to early-onset bipolar disorders.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.30-39
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• 2009

Extraction of glomeruli region plays a very important role for diagnosing nephritis automatically. However, it is not easy to extract glomeruli region correctly because the difference between glomeruli region and other region is not obvious, simultaneously unevennesses that is brought in the sampling process and in the imaging process. In this study, a new method for extracting renal glomeruli region using genetic algorithm is proposed. The first, low and high resolution images are obtained by using Laplacian-Gaussian filter with ${\sigma}=2.1$ and ${\sigma}=1.8$, then, binary images by setting the threshold value to zero are obtained. And then border edge is detected from low resolution images, the border of glomeruli is expressed by a closed B-splines' curve line. The parameters that decide the closed curve line with this low resolution image prevent the noises and the border lines from breaking off in the middle by searching using genetic algorithm. Next, in order to obtain more precise border edges of glomeruli, the number of node points is increased and corrected in order from eight to sixteen and thirty two from high resolution images. Finally, the validity of this proposed method is shown to be effective by applying to the real images.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2011

Investigation of the genetic functions in complex biological systems is a challenging step in recent year. Hence, several valuable and interesting research projects have been developed with novel ideas to find out the unknown functions of genes or proteins. To validate the applicability of their novel ideas, various approaches are built up. To date, the most promising and commonly used approach for discovering the target proteins from biological system using small molecule is well known a forward chemical genetics which is considered to be more convenient than the classical genetics. Although, the forward chemical genetics consists of the three basic components, the target identification is the most challenging step to chemical biology researchers. Hence, the diverse target identification methods have been developed and adopted to disclose the small molecule bound protein. Herein, in this review, we briefly described the first two parts chemical toolbox and screening, and then the target identifications in forward chemical genetics are thoroughly described along with the illustrative real example case study. In the tabular form, the different biological active small molecules which are the successful examples of target identifications are accounted in this research review.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2004

To observe and analysis ultra-microscopically barley aleurone cell surface, atomic force microscope (AFM) was used. Seed coat of early maturing germplasm, eam9, was dehulled and scanned by non-contact mode. We have obtained the high resolution topographic 3-dimensional image of barley aleurone layer with high resolution. These images showed the membrane proteins in barley aleurone cell. One channel protein and numerous peripheral or integral proteins were detected in a area of 100 $\mu\textrm{m}^2$. Furthermore, we found that their widths were ranged from 50 to 750nm and lengths from 0 to 66 $\mu\textrm{m}$. The thickness of aleurone layer was measured by scanning electron microscope. The thickness at early developmental stage was about 16 and then the aleurone cell enlarged upto 57 $\mu\textrm{m}$${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ at least until 42 days after anthesis. In this study, we firstly reported on the ultrastructural AFM analysis of living aleurone cell as a biological specimen. It was clearly suggested that AFM will become an powerful tool for probing both the structural properties of biological samples.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.387-393
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• 2016

Background: CYP1A1 is a candidate gene for low-penetrance breast cancer susceptibility, as it plays an important role in the metabolism of carcinogens and estrogens. Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the association between M2 (A2455G, Ile462Val) and M4 (C2453A, Thr461Asn) polymorphisms in CYP1A1 and breast cancer risk among Jordanian women and in subgroups stratified by menopausal status and smoking history. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 112 breast cancer female patients and 115 age-matched controls who underwent breast cancer screening with imaging and showed negative results (BI-RADS I or BI-RADS II). Genotyping was performed using the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: No statistically significant overall association was found between breast cancer risk and CYP1A1 M2 genotypes (p= 0.55; OR = 0.77; 95% CI= 0.32 - 1.83) nor with the M4 polymorphism (p= 0.95; OR= 0.95; 95% CI= 0.51 - 1.88). Analysis of subgroups defined by menopausal status or smoking history also revealed no association with these polymorphisms. Furthermore, the four identified haplotypes (AC; AA; GC and GA) were equally distributed among cases and controls, and haplotype analysis showed a strong linkage disequilibrium of both studied loci in either cases or controls (D'=1). Conclusions: Based on the study results, CYP1A1 M2 and M4 polymorphisms do not seem to play a major role in breast cancer risk among Jordanian females.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2023

There have been many studies from the genetic system to physical activity and emotional expression such that there are gender differences. The purpose of this study was to determine how the structural characteristics of cortical thickness differ between males and females. This study used data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). To analyze age-specific sexual dimorphisms of cortical thickness, selected 8-80 year old subjects were divided into five detailed age range groups according to each criterion. A total of 1,700 individual brain MRI T1 data were registered in stereotaxic space for analysis and classified into white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF). For surface-based analysis, the WM/GM surface was reconstructed from a spherical polygon model with 40962 vertices per hemisphere, and each vertex was extended to the GM/CSF boundary. Cortical thickness was then measured between each vertex using the t-link method. In the statistical analysis, intracranial volume was used as a covariate to exclude the effect of the difference in brain size of each individual, and the result of using age as a covariate was added to confirm the age effect within each group. Gender differences in cortical thickness had significant results by group. This may be an index to explain diseases with sexual dimorphism in prevalence or become a basis for explaining the characteristics of each sex that appear in behavior, personality, and aging. Therefore, the results of our study could be a criterion for age classification in future studies and for understanding 'normal' sexual dimorphism.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2023

Background: With recent advances in cardiac surgery through minimal access, mini-thoracotomy has emerged as an excellent alternative for cardiac myxoma resection. This study analyzed the surgical results of this approach, focusing on postoperative cerebral embolism and tumor recurrence. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 64 patients (mean age, 56.0±12.1 years; 40 women) who underwent myxoma resection through mini-thoracotomy from October 2008 to July 2020. We conducted femoral cannulation and antegrade cardioplegic arrest in all patients. Patient characteristics and perioperative data, including brain diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) findings, were collected. Medium-term echocardiographic follow-up was performed. Results: Thirteen patients (20.3%) had a history of preoperative stroke, and 7 (11.7%) had dyspnea with New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. Sixty-one cases (95.3%) had myxomas in the left atrium. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac ischemic times were 69.0±28.6 and 34.1±15.0 minutes, respectively. Sternotomy conversion was not performed in any case, and 50 patients (78.1%) were extubated in the operating room. No early mortality or postoperative clinical stroke occurred. Postoperative DWI was performed in 32 (53%) patients, and 7 (22%) showed silent cerebral embolisms. One patient underwent reoperation for tumor recurrence during the study period; in that patient, a genetic study confirmed the Carney complex. Conclusion: Mini-thoracotomy for cardiac myxoma resection showed acceptable clinical and neurological outcomes. In the medium-term echocardiographic follow-up, reliable resection was proven, with few recurrences. This approach is a promising alternative for cardiac myxoma resection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6705-6709
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• 2015

Background: Venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) constitute a group of diseases including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). They regarded as the second leading cause of death in cancer patients and several studies have confirmed that VTEs have a negative impact on survival and recurrent rate in both ovarian and endometrial cancer cases. The incidence of VTEs differs worldwide and depends on several risk factors including race, underlying disease, lifestyle, body weight, BMI and genetic risk factors. There is heterogeneity of DVT rates between Asian and Western countries. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the character and incidence of VTEs in gynecologic oncology patients in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital over a 10 year period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed with VTEs defined as objective diagnosis of acute DVT or PE with typical symptoms and signs. Diagnoses were approved byan internist and/or confirmed with imaging studies. Data from both outpatient and inpatient sessions of the affected cases from January 2004 to December 2013 were extracted. General characteristics of the patients were collected with details of the diseases, types of cancer, stage, date of diagnosis of cancer, operative data, treatment outcome, progression free survival and overall survival. Results: Thirty cases of VTEs were identified in a total 2,316 gynecologic oncology cases. The incidence of symptomatic VTEs in total gynecologic oncology patients in our institution is 1.295%. The incidence of VTEs in ovarian cancer patients in our institution was 5.9%. Duration for VTE detection ranged from 13 months before diagnosis of cancer to 33 months after diagnosis of cancer. Most of the VTE cases were detected in ovarian cancer patients (60%). The most common cell type was adenocarcinoma (moderately to poorly differentiated) which accounted for 26.7% of the cases. The second most common cell type was clear cell carcinoma with 23.3% of the cases. Thirty percent of VTE cases developed before cancer was diagnosed, 20% were diagnosed at the same time as cancer detection and fifty percent developed after cancer was diagnosed. Median disease free survival of the gynecologic oncology patients with VTE was 7.5 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 12 months. Median progession free survivals of DVT and PE groups were 11.5 and 5.5 months, respectively. OS of DVT and PE was 12.0 and 11.5 months respectively. Conclusions: The incidence of VTE in Asian countries is believed to be lower than in European or Western countries. From our retrospective review, the incidence of VTEs in all types of gynecologic oncology was 1.295%, much lower than reported in the West. The reason for the lower incidence may genetic differences. Another factor is that VTE in this review was symptomatic, which is less than asymptomatic VTE. More than half of VTEs in this study developed in ovarian cancer patients. The results are compatible with earlier reports that among gynecologic malignancies, the incidence of VTE is highest in ovarian cancer.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.105-109
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• 2005

This journal reports three cases diagnosed with schwannomatosis in which no clinical symptoms of type 2 neurofibromatosis. The chief complain was pain. In adolescence and adult group, all masses were found. The locations were brachial plexus, popliteal fossa and hand. No hearing impairment, vertigo, tinnitus and visual disturbance was observed in any of the case. Family history was negative. In all cases, there was no evidence of vestibular schwannoma on cranial MRI imaging study. In all cases, Tinel sign was positive. Pathologic diagnosis was positive for schwannoma. Further study and case collection is needed to idenity the clinical manifestation, clinical course and genetic characteristic of schwannomatosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1481-1489
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• 2016

The emergence and dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii isolates have been reported worldwide, and A. baumannii isolates harboring bla_OXA-23 are often resistant to various antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial resistance can be particularly strong for biofilm-forming A. baumannii isolates. We investigated the genetic basis for carbapenem resistance and biofilm-forming ability of multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates. Ninety-two MDR A. baumannii isolates were collected from one university hospital located in the Chungcheong area of Korea over a 5-year period. Multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to characterize carbapenemase and bap genes. Clonal characteristics were analyzed using REP-PCR. In addition, imaging and quantification of biofilms were performed using a crystal violet assay. All 92 MDR A. baumannii isolates involved in our study contained the bla_OXA-23 and bap genes. The average absorbance of biomass in Bap-producing strains was much greater than that in non-Bap-producing strains. In our study, only three REP-PCR types were found, and the isolates showing type A or type B were found more than 60 times among unique patients during the 5 years of surveillance. These results suggest that the isolates have persisted and colonized for 5 years, and biofilm formation ability has been responsible for their persistence and colonization.