• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1015-1026
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• 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate three different degrees of white striping (WS) addressing their automatic assessment and customer acceptance. The WS classification was performed based on a computer vision system (CVS), exploring different machine learning (ML) algorithms and the most important image features. Moreover, it was verified by consumer acceptance and purchase intent. Methods: The samples for image analysis were classified by trained specialists, according to severity degrees regarding visual and firmness aspects. Samples were obtained with a digital camera, and 25 features were extracted from these images. ML algorithms were applied aiming to induce a model capable of classifying the samples into three severity degrees. In addition, two sensory analyses were performed: 75 samples properly grilled were used for the first sensory test, and 9 photos for the second. All tests were performed using a 10-cm hybrid hedonic scale (acceptance test) and a 5-point scale (purchase intention). Results: The information gain metric ranked 13 attributes. However, just one type of image feature was not enough to describe the phenomenon. The classification models support vector machine, fuzzy-W, and random forest showed the best results with similar general accuracy (86.4%). The worst performance was obtained by multilayer perceptron (70.9%) with the high error rate in normal (NORM) sample predictions. The sensory analysis of acceptance verified that WS myopathy negatively affects the texture of the broiler breast fillets when grilled and the appearance attribute of the raw samples, which influenced the purchase intention scores of raw samples. Conclusion: The proposed system has proved to be adequate (fast and accurate) for the classification of WS samples. The sensory analysis of acceptance showed that WS myopathy negatively affects the tenderness of the broiler breast fillets when grilled, while the appearance attribute of the raw samples eventually influenced purchase intentions.

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.83.1-83.10
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• 2018

Objective: We aimed to propose a set of quality indicators (QIs) based on the clinical guidelines for cervical cancer treatment published by The Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and to assess adherence to standard-of-care as an index of the quality of care for cervical cancer in Japan. Methods: A panel of clinical experts devised the QIs using a modified Delphi method. Adherence to each QI was evaluated using data from a hospital-based cancer registry of patients diagnosed in 2013, and linked with insurance claims data, between October 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014. All patients who received first-line treatment at the participating facility were included. The QI scores were communicated to participating hospitals, and additional data about the reasons for non-adherence were collected. Results: In total, 297 hospitals participated, and the care provided to 15,163 cervical cancer patients was examined using 10 measurable QIs. The adherence rate ranged from 50.0% for 'cystoscope or proctoscope for stage IVA' to 98.8% for 'chemotherapy using platinum for stage IVB'. Despite the variation in care, hospitals reported clinically valid reasons for more than half of the non-adherent cases. Clinically valid reasons accounted for 75%, 90.9%, 73.4%, 44.5%, and 88.1% of presented non-adherent cases respectively. Conclusion: Our study revealed variations in pattern of care as well as an adherence to standards-of-care across Japan. Further assessment of the causes of variation and non-adherence can help identify areas where improvements are needed in patient care.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2022

Background: In Japan, new regulations that revise the dose limit for the lens of the eye (hereafter the lens), operational quantities, and measurement positions for the lens dose were enforced in April 2021. Based on the international safety standards, national guidelines, the results of the Radiation Safety Research Promotion Fund of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, and other studies, the Working Group of Radiation Protection Standardization Committee, the Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS) developed a guideline for radiation dose monitoring for the lens. Materials and Methods: The Working Group of the JHPS discussed the criteria of non-uniform exposure and the management criteria set not to exceed the dose limit for the lens. Results and Discussion: In July 2020, the JHPS guideline was published. The guideline consists of three parts: main text, explanations, and 26 examples. In the questions, the corresponding answers were prepared, and specific examples were provided to enable similar cases to be addressed. Conclusion: With the development of the guideline on radiation dose monitoring of the lens, radiation managers and workers will be able to smoothly comply with revised regulations and optimize radiation protection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2023

Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura were found in the feces of schoolchildren in Yangon, Myanmar during epidemiological surveys and mass deworming with albendazole in 2017-2019. The standard-sized eggs were identified as those of T. trichiura, but it was necessary to exclude the possibility of the large-sized eggs belonging to Trichuris vulpis, a dog whipworm. We conducted morphological and molecular studies to determine the species of the 2 types of Trichuris eggs. Individual eggs of both sizes were isolated from Kato-Katz fecal smears (n=20) and mechanically destroyed using a 23G injection needle. Nuclear DNA was extracted, and the 18S rRNA region was sequenced in 15 standard-sized eggs and 15 large-sized eggs. The average size of standard-sized eggs (T. trichiura) was 55.2×26.1 ㎛ (range: 51.7-57.6×21.3-28.0 ㎛; n=97), whereas the size of large-sized eggs was 69.3×32.0 ㎛ (range: 65.1-76.4×30.1-34.5 ㎛; n=20), slightly smaller than the known size of T. vulpis. Regarding standard-sized eggs, the 18S rRNA nucleotide sequences exhibited 100% homology with T. trichiura deposited in GenBank and 88.6-90.5% homology with T. vulpis. Regarding large-sized eggs, the nucleotide sequences showed 99.8-100% homology with T. trichiura in GenBank and 89.6-90.7% homology with T. vulpis. Both standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris spp. found in Myanmar schoolchildren during 2017-2019 were morphologically and molecularly confirmed to belong to T. trichiura. The conversion of eggs from smaller to large sizes might be due to anthelmintic treatments with albendazole.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.185-193
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• 2023

Objectives This study was conducted to find out the correlation between lumbar malposition and lumbar disc herniation. Methods Among the patients who visited Gwangju Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine from January 2019 to January 2021, taking 92 patients under age 60 who had the records of X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images as the research subjects, Cobb's angle was measured in anterior-posterior (AP) view and lateral (LAT) view, the number of displacements was scored by listing categories defined by The Korean Society of Chuna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves. The degree of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation was expressed as a percentage according to the method of Kato, etc., and the correlation between each factor was analyzed. Results AP curvature and MRI herniation index showed significant positive correlation in L4-L5 level but there was no significant difference in L5-S1 level. LAT curvature and MRI herniation index had no correlation in L4-L5 level, but there was a significant negative correlation in L5-S1 level. Malposition score and MRI herniation index had a significant positive correlation in L5-S1 level, whereas there was no correlation in L4-L5. Conclusions As a result of the study, AP curvature and MRI herniation index showed a significant positive tendency in L4-L5 lumbar spine, and LAT curvature and MRI herniation index showed a significant negative tendency in L5-S1 lumbar spine. Malposition score and MRI herniation index were found to have a significant positive tendency in L5-S1 lumbar spine.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15.1-15.15
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• 2024

Background: The anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibody has led to durable clinical responses in a wide variety of human tumors. We have previously developed the caninized anti-canine PD-1 antibody (ca-4F12-E6) and evaluated its therapeutic properties in dogs with advance-staged oral malignant melanoma (OMM), however, their therapeutic effects on other types of canine tumors remain unclear. Objective: The present clinical study was carried out to evaluate the safety profile and clinical efficacy of ca-4F12-E6 in dogs with advanced solid tumors except for OMM. Methods: Thirty-eight dogs with non-OMM solid tumors were enrolled prospectively and treated with ca-4F12-E6 at 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks of each 10-week treatment cycle. Adverse events (AEs) and treatment efficacy were graded based on the criteria established by the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group. Results: One dog was withdrawn, and thirty-seven dogs were evaluated for the safety and efficacy of ca-4F12-E6. Treatment-related AEs of any grade occurred in 13 out of 37 cases (35.1%). Two dogs with sterile nodular panniculitis and one with myasthenia gravis and hypothyroidism were suspected of immune-related AEs. In 30 out of 37 dogs that had target tumor lesions, the overall response and clinical benefit rates were 6.9% and 27.6%, respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival time were 70 days and 215 days, respectively. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that ca-4F12-E6 was well-tolerated in non-OMM dogs, with a small number of cases showing objective responses. This provides evidence supporting large-scale clinical trials of anti-PD-1 antibody therapy in dogs.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Immune checkpoint blockade has recently been reported to be effective in treating microsatellite instability (MSI)-high tumors. Therefore, sufficient sampling of histological specimens is necessary in cases of unresectable pancreatic cancer (UR-PC). This multicenter study investigated the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using a Franseen needle for MSI evaluation in patients with UR-PC. Methods: A total of 89 patients with UR-PC who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or EUS-FNB using 22-G needles at three hospitals in Japan (2018-2021) were enrolled. Fifty-six of these patients (FNB 23 and FNA 33) were followed up or evaluated for MSI. Patient characteristics, UR-PC data, and procedural outcomes were compared between patients who underwent EUS-FNB and those who underwent EUS-FNA. Results: No significant difference in terms of sufficient tissue acquisition for histology was observed between patients who underwent EUS-FNB and those who underwent EUS-FNA. MSI evaluation was possible significantly more with tissue samples obtained using EUS-FNB than with tissue samples obtained using EUS-FNA (82.6% [19/23] vs. 45.5% [15/33], respectively; p<0.01). In the multivariate analysis, EUS-FNB was the only significant factor influencing the possibility of MSI evaluation. Conclusions: EUS-FNB using a Franseen needle is desirable for ensuring sufficient tissue acquisition for MSI evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.576-583
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• 1982

The variation of free amino acids during the tomato producing was studied using a tomato variety, Kagome 77. The concentration of free amino acids in fresh and heated pulp, and in puree and paste was analyzed by using automatic amino acid analyzer, Hitachi model KLA-5. 1. A significant difference in decomposition rate of glutamine and asparagine among amide group was recognized. For instance, the glutamine decomposed fast and no glutamine was found in the paste, while 56% of asparagine was found in the paste. 2. The diminishing quantity of glutamic acid among acid group was highest among all free amino acids. The quantity of aspartic acid was next to the glutamine. The percents of glutamic acid and aspartic acid left over were 38% and 24%, respectively. 3. Glycine, alanine, valine, isoleucine and leucine of neutral amino acids tended to be reduced a little during the heating, concentrating process. 4. No apparent variation was found for the lysine and histidine belonging to basic amino acids. while arginine increased a little. 5. Tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophane of aromatic group seemed to increase a little during the heating process. But the variations of them during the concentrating process were not recognized. 6. The methionine content, sulfur containing amino acid decreased a little throughout the process. But the decrease of ${\gamma}-amino$ butyric acid of non-protein was not apparently recognized. 7. The amino acid contents of fresh pulp were found as following order: glutamic acid>${\gamma}$-amino butyric acid>glutamine>aspartic acid>asparagine. The amino acid contents of paste were as glutamic acid>${\gamma}$-amino butyric acid>aspartic acid and aspargine. The percent distribution of aromatic and basic amino acids increased, even it was not great. 8. When amino acids were analyzed by Hitachi KLA-5, unknown peak which was never app eared in the fresh pulp before tryptophane was appeared when processed. The peak became greater when heated and concentrated. Later it was known that the peak was not due to lysinoalanine or ornithine.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2012

Twenty-two families and 39 species of insect pests were surveyed on five families and 20 species of greenhouse vegetables in Jeonbuk province. The species of insect pests and the families of plants infested were seven families and 10 species on Chenophodiaceae, 16 families and 25 species on Brassicaceae, nine families and 10 species on Apiaceae, six families seven species on Liliaceae, and 13 families and 29 species on Compositae. Spodoptera exigua H$\ddot{u}$bner and Spodoptera litura Fabricius occurred on all vegetables. Additionally, Frankliniella intonsa Trybom, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, Myzus persicae Sulzer, and Phytomyza horticola Goureau occurred on all vegetables except Liliaceae(Allium tuberosum Rottl. and Allium fistulosum L.). Thirteen species of insect pests including Hymenia recurvalis Fabricius occurred only one vegetables, indicating that they were monophagous. The main insect pests of Chenophodiaceae were M. persicae, H. recurvalis, S. exigua and S. litura whereas Dolycoris baccarum Linn$\acute{e}$, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, Trichoplusia ni H$\ddot{u}$bner, and P. horticola were not recorded. On Brassicaceae were Brevicoyne brassicae Linn$\acute{e}$, M. persicae, Phaedon brassicae Baly, Phyllotreta striolata Fabricius, Plutella xylostella Linn$\acute{e}$, Hellula undalis Fabricius, S. litura, Pieris rapae Linn$\acute{e}$, Artogeia rapae Linn$\acute{e}$, and Athalia rosae ruficornis Jakovlev, but six species including Frankliniella intonsa Trybom were not recorded. The degree of damage by insect pests on Apiaceae was low, five species including Tetranychus kanzawai kishida, F. intonsa, T. vaporariorum, S. litura, and P. horticola were not recorded. The main insect pests on Liliaceae were Thyatira tabaci Lindeman, Acrolepiopsis sapporensis Matsumura, S. exigua, and Liriomyza chinensis Kato. The damage to Compositae by insect pests was relatively low except that of S. litura.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.361-361
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• 2017

The NPK are known as macro elements that affect crop growth and yield. In 1989, Cambodia Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) gave a recommendation rate of fertilizer on rice production based on soil types. This recommended rate of NPK seems however relatively low as compared to farmers' practices nowadays and the amount in the neighboring countries. The CARDI recommended rate for Prateah Lang soil type is 50kg N, $25kg\;P_2O_5$, $25kg\;K_2O\;ha^{-1}$ while recent farmers' practice rates are 55 - 64kg N, 24 - 46kg $P_2O_5$, $30kg\;K_2O\;ha^{-1}$. However, the overuse of chemical fertilizer will lead to un-preferable plant growth, insect pest, disease and economic yield. Thus, we examined the effect of different NPK application rates on the growth and yield components in Prateah Lang soil type in Takeo province to investigate appropriate rates for improving rice productivity with economic efficiency. This study was conducted from July to November during wet season in 2013. A multi-locational trial with 6 treatments (T0 - T5) of NPK rates in 5 locations (trial 1 - 5) with 3 replications was conducted. The different combinations of NPK application were employed from 0, 50, 60, 80, 100, $120kg\;N\;ha^{-1}$, 0, 25, 30 45, $60kg\;P_2O_5\;ha^{-1}$ and 0, 15, 25, 30, $45kg\;K_2O\;ha^{-1}$. Urea, DAP and KCl were used for fertilization. Split application was employed [basal: 20% of N, 100% of P and K, top dressing-1st: 40% of N (30DAT), 2nd: 40% of N (PI stage)]. Three-week-old seedlings of var. Phka Rumdoul were transplanted with 2 - 3 seedlings $hill^{-1}$ with $20cm{\times}20cm$ spacing. Plant length, tiller number at the maximum tillering stage and yield components were measured. The different rates of NPK application affected some yield components. The panicle number per hill was the most important key component followed by the spikelet number per panicle. However, the other parameters such as the filled grain percentage and 1000 grains weight had small effect or weak relation with the yield. Although the panicle number per hill had a significantly positive correlation with the stem number per hill, it was not correlated with the percentage of productive culms. The variation in the grain yield among the 5 trials was small and the difference was not significant. Although the yield tended to be higher at higher N and P application, there was no significant difference above 60kg N and $30kg\;P_2O_5$. The yield was the highest at 15, 30 and $45kg\;K_2O$ followed by $25kg\;K_2O$. The relationships between N, P and the stem number per hill were significantly linear positive, though it was not linear between K and the stem number. From these results, to increase rice productivity in the target area, farmers' effort to increase N and P input rather than CARDI recommendation up to 60kg N and $30kg\;P_2O_5$ will be sufficient considering economic efficiency. Besides, the amount of K application should be reconsidered.