• Journal of health informatics and statistics
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.318-323
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• 2016

Objectives: Except the known risk factors for stroke, few studies have identified novel metabolic markers that could effectively detect stroke at an early stage. In this study, we explored the dose-response relationship between serum metabolites and the incidence of stroke. Methods: We studied 213 adults in the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II (KCPS-II) biobank and estimated dose-response relationship between serum metabolites and stroke (42 cases and 171 controls). Three serum metabolites (Acetylcholine, HexadecylAcetylGlycerol, and 1-acetyl-2-formyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) were used in this study. The analysis included (1) exploratory nonlinear analysis, (2) estimation of flexion points and slopes at below and above the points. In the model to estimate risk of incidence of stroke, we controlled for conventional risk factors such as age, sex, systolic blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, triglyceride, and smoking status. Results: The relationship between incidence of stroke and log-transformed 1-acetyl-2-formyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine was non-linear with flexion point around intensity score of 8.8, whereas other metabolites, log-transformed Acetylcholine and HexadecylAcetylGlycerol, showed negative linear patterns. Conclusions: The study suggests that metabolic markers are associated with incidence of stroke, particularly, at or above the flexion point. The study result may contribute to developing a novel system for precise stroke prediction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 2019

Background: Although case reports have suggested that the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) may help analgesia for patients after breast surgery, no study to date has assessed its effectiveness. This retrospective observational study analyzed the analgesic effects of the ESPB after total mastectomy. Methods: Forty-eight patients were divided into an ESPB group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 28). Twenty patients in the control group were selected by their propensity score matching the twenty patients in the ESPB group. Patients in the ESPB group were injected with 30 mL 0.375% ropivacaine, followed by catheter insertion for further injections of local anesthetics every 12 hours. Primarily, total fentanyl consumption was compared between the two groups during the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity levels (visual analogue scale) and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Results: Median cumulative fentanyl consumption during the first 24 hours was significantly lower in the ESPB ($33.0{\mu}g$; interquartile range [IQR], $27.0-69.5{\mu}g$) than in the control group ($92.8{\mu}g$; IQR, $40.0-155.0{\mu}g$) (P = 0.004). Pain level in the early postoperative stage (<3 hr) and incidence of PONV (0% vs. 55%) were also significantly lower in the ESPB group compared to the control (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Intermittent ESPB after total mastectomy reduces fentanyl consumption and early postoperative pain. ESPB is a good option for multimodal analgesia after breast surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2019

Objective : Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a very serious health problem, usually caused by a trauma and accompanied by elevated levels of inflammation indicators. Stem cell-based therapy is promising some valuable strategies for its functional recovery. Nestin-positive progenitor and/or stem cells (SC) isolated from pancreatic islets (PI) show mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics. For this reason, we aimed to analyze the effects of rat pancreatic islet derived stem cell (rPI-SC) delivery on functional recovery, as well as the levels of inflammation factors following SCI. Methods : rPI-SCs were isolated, cultured and their MSC characteristics were determined through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis. The experimental rat population was divided into three groups : 1) laminectomy & trauma, 2) laminectomy & trauma & phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and 3) laminectomy+trauma+SCs. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labelled rPI-SCs were transplanted into the injured rat spinal cord. Their motilities were evaluated with Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) Score. After 4-weeks, spinal cord sections were analyzed for GFP labeled SCs and stained for vimentin, $S100{\beta}$, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proinflammatory (interleukin [IL]-6, transforming growth factor $[TGF]-{\beta}$, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-2, myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1 receptor antagonis) factors. Results : rPI-SCs were revealed to display MSC characteristics and express neural and glial cell markers including BDNF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), fibronectin, microtubule associated protein-2a,b (MAP2a,b), ${\beta}3$-tubulin and nestin as well as anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 receptor, EP3. The BBB scores showed significant motor recovery in group 3. GFP-labelled cells were localized on the injury site. In addition, decreased proinflammatory factor levels and increased intensity of anti-inflammatory factors were determined. Conclusion : Transplantation of PI-SCs might be an effective strategy to improve functional recovery following spinal cord trauma.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between quantitative magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers, and clinical performances in chronic phase of carbon monoxide intoxication. Materials and Methods: Eighteen magnetic resonance scans and cognitive evaluations were performed, on patients with carbon monoxide intoxication in chronic phase. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratios of affected versus unaffected centrum semiovale, and corpus callosum were obtained. Signal intensity (SI) ratios between affected centrum semiovale, and normal pons in T2-FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) images were obtained. The Mini-Mental State Exam, and clinical outcome scores were assessed. Correlation coefficients were calculated, between MRI and clinical markers. Patients were further classified into poor-outcome and good-outcome groups based on clinical performance, and imaging parameters were compared. T2-SI ratio of centrum semiovale was compared, with that of 18 sex-matched and age-matched controls. Results: T2-SI ratio of centrum semiovale was significantly higher in the poor-outcome group, than that in the good-outcome group and was strongly inversely correlated, with results from the Mini-Mental State Exam. ADC ratios of centrum semiovale were significantly lower in the poor outcome group than in the good outcome group, and were moderately correlated with the Mini-Mental State Exam score. Conclusion: A higher T2-SI and a lower ratio of ADC values in the centrum semiovale, may indicate presence of more severe white matter injury and clinical impairment. T2-SI ratio and ADC values in the centrum semiovale, are useful quantitative imaging biomarkers for correlation with clinical performance in individuals with carbon monoxide intoxication.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2021

Objective : This study aims to investigate the relationship between aneurysm wall enhancement and clinical rupture risks based on the magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) quantitative methods. Methods : One hundred and eight patients with 127 unruptured aneurysms were prospectively enrolled from Feburary 2016 to October 2017. Aneurysms were divided into high risk (≥10) and intermediate-low risk group (<10) according to the PHASES (Population, Hypertension, Age, Size of aneurysm, Earlier SAH history from another aneurysm, Site of aneurysm) scores. Clinical risk factors, aneurysm morphology, and wall enhancement index (WEI) calculated using 3D MR-VWI were analyzed and compared. Results : In comparison of high-risk and intermediated-low risk groups, univariate analysis showed that neck width (4.5±3.3 mm vs. 3.4±1.7 mm, p=0.002), the presence of wall enhancement (100.0% vs. 62.9%, p<0.001), and WEI (1.6±0.6 vs. 0.8±0.8, p<0.001) were significantly associated with high rupture risk. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that WEI was the most important factor in predicting high rupture risk (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.9; p=0.002). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis can efficiently differentiate higher risk aneurysms (area under the curve, 0.780; p<0.001) which have a reliable WEI cutoff value (1.04; sensitivity, 0.833; specificity, 0.67) predictive of high rupture risk. Conclusion : Aneurysms with higher rupture risk based on PHASES score demonstrate increased neck width, wall enhancement, and the enhancement intensity. Higher WEI in unruptured aneurysms has a predictive value for increased rupture risk.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2021

Combined Western-Korean medicine treatments were given to a 67-year-old woman with late onset seizures who underwent surgical drainage of a subdural hematoma. Clonazepam and herbal medicine was prescribed. Acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, chuna, and physical therapy were also performed. The frequency and intensity of seizures was assessed using the Chalfont Seizure Severity Scale. The seizure index score improved from 25 at admission to 0 at discharge. Pain in the right upper extremity reduced from 10 to 0 on the visual analogue scale and muscle strength increased from Grade 3 to 5 in Medical Research Council Scale for the Manual Muscle Test. At the time of hospitalization, the manual muscle strength tests for the affected shoulder, elbow, wrist, and grip strength were 30%, 60%, 10%, 5%, respectively, which improved almost 100% by discharge. Further studies using combined Western-Korean medicine for seizures after strokes are necessary to determine the most effective treatment.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.214-223
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• 2021

This study compared the quality, cooking, textural, and palatability characteristics between sous-vide (SV) cooked pork loin patties with different searing treatments (ST). Before SV cooking, STs were conducted on each side of the pork loin patties for 0 (control) to 120 s (ST120), and all patties were then cooked using an SV cooker at 75℃ for 120 min. Noticeable differences were observed in quality properties between the groups. The seared SV loin patties exhibited lower lightness and higher browning index values compared to the unseared SV loin patties (p<0.001). Cooking loss gradually increased with increasing ST times, and the control group had a lower percentage compared to the ST60 group (19.5 vs. 25.7%, p<0.001). Changes in cooking properties were associated with the extent of ST, and the ST groups exhibited a higher hardness value compared to the control group (p<0.001). Regarding palatability, loin patties from the control group scored lower in appearance acceptability compared to patties from the ST groups (p<0.05) due to extent of browning on the surface. Moreover, the ST groups did exhibit a higher flavor intensity compared to the control group, but no differences were observed in tenderness and juiciness scores between the control and ST60 groups. Due to these results, the ST60 group exhibited a greater score in overall acceptability compared to the other groups except for the ST90 group. Therefore, an additional ST before SV cooking can achieve a more appealing appearance and palatability as well as to enhance the availability of pork loin.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.779-787
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• 2021

This study compared the meat quality characteristics, palatability, and histochemical characteristics of low-marbled Hanwoo and Holstein steers of different beef quality grades (1, 2, and 3). No differences were observed in muscle pH_{24 h} and cooking loss between the groups (p>0.05); however, quality grade 1 of Hanwoo steers (HA1) showed a darker muscle surface compared to grade 1 of Holstein steers (HO1) (30.9 vs. 33.9, p<0.05). The HA2 group exhibited a lower value of Warner-Bratzler shear force compared to the HO1 and HO3 groups (60.8 vs. 69.2 and 87.8 N, p<0.001). For sensory quality attributes, steaks from the HA1 group showed higher scores of softness, initial tenderness, and amount of perceptible residue than steaks from the HO1 group (p<0.001). Within the quality grade 2, Hanwoo steers had a higher score of softness compared to Holstein steers (p<0.001). There were no differences in juiciness and flavor intensity between Hanwoo and Holstein steers at the same quality grade (p>0.05). This difference in tenderness attributes between the breeds within the quality grade was associated with morphological traits of muscle bundle, and Hanwoo steers had smaller bundle area (0.37 vs. 0.50 mm², p<0.05) and higher fiber number per bundle (88.2 vs. 121, p<0.05) compared to Holstein steers. Therefore, bundle characteristics of longissimus thoracis muscle can be crucial for explaining factor for the explanation of tenderness variations between different breeds at the same beef quality grade or marbling.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2022

Background: Coccygodynia is one of the chronic, refractory painful musculoskeletal disorders. Interventional procedures are applied to patients unresponsive to initial treatment in coccygodynia. This study aims to compare the treatment outcomes of ganglion impar block (GIB) and caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) in patients with chronic coccygodynia. Methods: This study was a prospective randomized comparison study conducted between June 2019 and January 2021. Patients diagnosed with chronic coccygodynia were randomly divided into two groups: the GIB group and the CESI group. The severity of pain, presence of neuropathic pain, and quality of life were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale, Leeds Assessment of the Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Scale, and Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), respectively. Results: A total of 34 patients in each group were included in the final analyses. While there was a significant decrease in pain intensity in both groups in the 3-month follow-up, this decrease was more significant in the GIB group at the 3rd week. There was a significant improvement in the SF-12 physical score and the number of patients with neuropathic pain in both groups in the 3rd week, but this improvement was not observed in the 3rd month. Conclusions: Although GIB may provide more pain relief in short term, both GIB and CESI are useful treatment methods in coccygodynia unresponsive to more conservative treatments.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.665-676
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• 2022

The e-commerce had been expanding in the distribution channels, recently. Then, COVID-19 and social distancing rules led to a surge of online hypermarkets volume. In this study, we examined workplace environments of delivery drivers, firstly. Second, this study was also designed to examine the influencing factors of the perceived working environments change on the job satisfaction, dealing with the recent surge of work. We analyzed 324 data using various ways like descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, factor analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis. The analysis revealed that their job satisfaction was lower than the average score and their working time was too long. In addition, the changes of the workplace environments were divided into labor intensity change and working condition change, which all had a significant effect on job satisfaction. So we should devise some long-term and short-term plans to make the level of job satisfaction among delivery drivers high on workplace environments.