• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.854-861
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters for differentiation of cysts from and solid masses in the anterior mediastinum. Materials and Methods: The development dataset included 18 patients from two institutions with pathologically-proven cysts (n = 6) and solid masses (n = 12) in the anterior mediastinum. We measured the maximum diameter, normalized T1 and T2 signal intensity (nT1 and nT2), normalized apparent diffusion coefficient (nADC), and relative enhancement ratio (RER) of each lesion. RERs were obtained by non-rigid registration and subtraction of precontrast and postcontrast T1-weighted images. Differentiation criteria between cysts and solid masses were identified based on receiver operating characteristics analysis. For validation, two separate datasets were utilized: 15 patients with 8 cysts and 7 solid masses from another institution (validation dataset 1); and 11 patients with clinically diagnosed cysts stable for more than two years (validation dataset 2). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated from the validation datasets. Results: nT2, nADC, and RER significantly differed between cysts and solid masses (p = 0.032, 0.013, and < 0.001, respectively). The following criteria differentiated cysts from solid masses: RER < 26.1%; nADC > 0.63; nT2 > 0.39. In validation dataset 1, the sensitivity of the RER, nADC, and nT2 criteria was 87.5%, 100%, and 75.0%, and the specificity was 100%, 40.0%, and 57.4%, respectively. In validation dataset 2, the sensitivity of the RER, nADC, and nT2 criteria was 90.9%, 90.9%, and 72.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Quantitative MRI criteria using nT2, nADC, and particularly RER can assist differentiation of cysts from solid masses in the anterior mediastinum.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2024

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction that is only partly reversible, inflammation in the airways, and systemic effects. This study aimed to investigate the association between low peripheral oxygen saturation levels (SpO₂), and composite indices predicting death in male patients with (COPD). Method: A total of 140 participants with post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC ratio less than 0.7 were included. Three composite indices (ADO, DOSE, BODEx) were calculated using six variables such as age (A), airflow obstruction (O), body mass index (B), dyspnea (D), exacerbation history (E or Ex), and smoking status (S). Severity of airflow limitation was classified according to Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. SpO₂ was measured by pulse oximetry, and anemia and iron deficiency were assessed based on blood hemoglobin levels and serum markers such as ferritin, transferrin saturation, or soluble transferrin receptor. Results: Participants with low SpO₂ (<95%) showed significantly lower levels of %FEV₁ predicted (p=0.020) and %FEV₁/FVC ratio (p=0.002) compared to those with normal SpO₂ levels. The mMRC dyspnea scale (p<0.001) and GOLD grade (p=0.002) showed a significant increase in the low SpO₂ group. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis revealed higher area under the curve for %FEV₁ (p=0.020), %FEV₁/FVC(p=0.002), mMRC dyspnea scale (p=0.001), GOLD grade (p=0.010), ADO (p=0.004), DOSE (p=0.002), and BODEx (p=0.011) in the low SpO₂ group. Conclusion: These results suggest that low SpO₂ levels are related to increased airflow limitation and the composite indices of COPD.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.812-828
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• 2020

Objective: To provide an evidence-based guide for the MRI interpretation of complete tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for rectal cancer using visual assessment on T2-weighted imaging (T2) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Materials and Methods: PubMed MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched on November 28, 2019 to identify articles on the following issues: 1) sensitivity and specificity of T2 or DWI for diagnosing pathologic complete response (pCR) and the criteria for MRI diagnosis; 2) MRI alone vs. MRI combined with other test(s) in sensitivity and specificity for pCR; and 3) tests to select patients for the watch-and-wait management. Eligible articles were selected according to meticulous criteria and were synthesized. Results: Of 1615 article candidates, 55 eligible articles (for all three issues combined) were identified. Combined T2 and DWI performed better than T2 alone, with a meta-analytic summary sensitivity of 0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.77; I² = 80.60) and summary specificity of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80-0.94; I² = 92.61) for diagnosing pCR. The criteria for the complete response on T2 in most studies had the commonality of remarkable tumor decrease to the absence of mass-like or nodular intermediate signal, although somewhat varied, as follows: (near) normalization of the wall; regular, thin, hypointense scar in the luminal side with (near) normal-appearance or homogeneous intermediate signal in the underlying wall; and hypointense thickening of the wall. The criteria on DWI were the absence of a hyperintense signal at high b-value (≥ 800 sec/mm²) in most studies. The specific algorithm to combine T2 and DWI was obscure in half of the studies. MRI combined with endoscopy was the most utilized means to select patients for the watch-and-wait management despite a lack of strong evidence to guide and support a multi-test approach. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide an evidence-based practical guide for MRI assessment of complete tumor response after CRT for rectal cancer.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

For measuring the performance of passive sonars, we usually consider the maximum Detection Range (DR) under the environment and system parameters in operation. In shallow water, where sound waves inevitably interacts with sea surface or bottom, detection generally maintains up to the maximum range. In deep water, however, sound waves may not interact with sea surface or/and bottom, and thus there may exist shadow zones where sound waves can hardly reach. In this situation, DR alone may not completely define the performance of each sonar. For complete description of sonar performance, we employ the concept 'Robustness Of Detection (ROD)'. In the coastal region of the East Sea, the spatial variations of water masses have close relations with DR and ROD, where the two parameters show reverse spatial variations in general. The spatial and temporal analysis of the temperature by employing the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) shows that the 1-st mode represents typical pattern of seasonal variation and the 2-nd mode represents strength variations of mixed layers and currents. The two modes are estimated to explain about 92 % of the variations. Assuming two types of targets located at the depths of 5 m (shallow) and 100 m (deep), the passive sonar performance (DR) gives high negative correlations (about -0.9) with the first two modes. Most of temporal variations of temperature occur from the surface up to 200 m in the water column so that when we assume a target at 100 m, we can expect detection performance of little seasonal variations with passive sonars below 100 m.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.88-104
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• 2024

Purpose: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is primarily synthesized in the liver upon stimulation of infectious disease cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), and is used as a biological marker of systemic inflammation. Previous studies reported that hs-CRP is closely related to diet and abdominal obesity. Furthermore, a dietary score favoring the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains over meat and saturated fat reduced inflammation and decreased the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity. Nevertheless, no studies have examined whether hs-CRP mediates the relationship between dietary scores and abdominal obesity, and research on the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) is lacking. Therefore, the present study examined the association between the KHEI and abdominal obesity and the mediating effect of hs-CRP. Methods: In total, 17,770 adults aged ≥19 years were included in the study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018. KHEI was developed to assess the overall diet quality of Korean adults. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between KHEI, hs-CRP, and abdominal obesity. The mediation analysis with the bootstrapping method was performed using SAS MACRO. Results: Among women, the odds ratio (OR) of abdominal obesity prevalence was lower in the highest KHEI compared to the lowest KHEI after adjusting for age, body mass index, educational level, income level, occupational status, marital status, household type, region type, alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical activity, total energy intake, and hsCRP (OR 0.744, 95% confidence interval 0.598-0.926). The association between KHEI and abdominal obesity was partially mediated via hs-CRP, and the mediated proportion was 68.7% in men and 38.1% in women. Conclusion: A substantial relationship was observed between the KHEI and abdominal obesity among females. Moreover, according to the KHEI, abdominal obesity may be mediated partially by hs-CRP.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.413-420
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• 2024

After Friedrich Nietzsche's advocacy of nihilism, many literary works, dramas, and films have depicted aspects of human psychology associated with nihilism. Animation, too, has been used to convey nihilism, with narratives infused with nihilistic themes produced as both TV series and theatrical animations. Particularly, animation, as a visual medium capable of realizing any imaginative image unlike other media, possesses distinctive characteristics from live-action cinematography and differs from comics in its temporal properties. Hence, this study aims to analyze how Nietzsche's defined three stages of nihilism are represented within animation characters and how they construct various scenarios, using the anime "Attack on Titan" as a case study. The research unfolds by first examining Nietzsche's types of nihilism and the three stages through a review of literature, while also investigating the portrayal of nihilism in mass media and considering the unique attributes of animation. Secondly, building upon the literature review, the analysis interprets the narrative and constructed world of the chosen case study from a nihilistic perspective, examining four major characters through the stages of passive nihilism, active nihilism, and eternal recurrence. The findings demonstrate that the anime conveys two messages regarding negation and affirmation of one's life and existence, thereby offering viewers an opportunity to deeply contemplate human existence. This study is considered significant as it examines how Nietzschean nihilism is portrayed within the popular entertainment medium of animation.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.891-899
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• 2024

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is centered on a personalized demand fulfillment economy and is all about transformation and flexible processing that can deliver what customers want in real time across space and time. This paper implements the construction and operation of a packaging platform that can instantly procure the required packaging products based on real-time orders and evaluates its performance. The components of customer satisfaction are flexible and dependent on the situation which requires efficient management of enterprise operational processes based on an e-SCM platform. An OMS optimized for these conditions plays an important role in maximizing and differentiating the efficiency of a company's operations and improving its cost advantage. OMS is a system of mass customization that provides efficient MOT(Moment of Truth) logistics services to meet the eco-friendly issues of many individual customers and achieve optimized logistics operation goals to enhance repurchase intentions and sustainable business. OMS precisely analyzes the collected data to support information and decision-making related to efficiency, productivity, cost and provide accurate reports. It uses data visualization tools to express data visually and suggests directions for improvement of the operational process through statistics and prediction analysis.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.429-440
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Endovascular therapy (EVT) first strategy has been widely adopted for the treatment of chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients in real-world practice. This study aimed to investigate long-term outcomes of CLTI patients who underwent EVT and identify prognostic factors. Methods: From the retrospective cohorts of a Korean multicenter endovascular therapy registry, 1,036 patients with CLTI (792 men, 68.8 ± 9.5 years) were included. The primary endpoint was amputation-free survival (AFS) defined as the absence of major amputation or death. Secondary endpoints were major adverse limb events (MALE; a composite of major amputation, minor amputation, and reintervention). Results: Five-year AFS and freedom from MALE were 69.8% and 61%, respectively. After multivariate analysis, age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.476; p<0.001), end-stage renal disease (ESRD; HR, 2.340; p<0.001), Rutherford category (RC) 6 (HR, 1.456; p=0.036), and suboptimal EVT (HR, 1.798; p=0.005) were identified as predictors of major amputation or death, whereas smoking (HR, 0.594; p=0.007) was protective. Low body mass index (HR, 1.505; p=0.046), ESRD (HR, 1.648; p=0.001), femoropopliteal lesion (HR, 1.877; p=0.004), RC-6 (HR, 1.471; p=0.008), and suboptimal EVT (HR, 1.847; p=0.001) were predictors of MALE. The highest hazard rates were observed during the first 6 months for both major amputation or death and MALE. After that, the hazard rate decreased and rose again after 3-4 years. Conclusions: In CLTI patients, long-term outcomes of EVT were acceptable. ESRD, RC-6, and suboptimal EVT were common predictors for poor clinical outcomes.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.15.1-15.9
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• 2022

Background: Most previous longitudinal studies on lifestyle and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have focused on physical activity rather than sitting time. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between prolonged sitting time and the development of erosive esophagitis (EE). Methods: A self-report questionnaire was used for measuring sitting time in the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study. Sitting time was categorized into four groups: ≤ 6, 7-8, 9-10, and ≥ 11 hours/day. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed by experienced endoscopists who were unawared of the aims of this study. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the development of EE were estimated using Cox proportional hazards analyses with ≤ 6 hours/day sitting time as the reference. Results: There were 6,524 participants included in the study. During a mean follow-up of 3.14 years, 2,048 incident cases developed EE. In age- and sex-adjusted models, the HR in the group sitting ≥ 11 hours per day compared ≤ 6 hours per day was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.76-0.99). After further adjusting for alcohol intake, smoking status, educational level, history of diabetes, and history of dyslipidemia, sitting time was still significantly related to the risk of EE (HR, 0.87; 95% CI: 0.76-0.98). After further adjustment for exercise frequency, this association persisted (HR, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76-0.98). In subgroup analysis by obesity, the relationship between sitting time and EE was only significant among participants with body mass index < 25 kg/m² (HR, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.71-0.95). Conclusions: Generally, prolonged sitting time is harmful to health, but with regard to EE, it is difficult to conclude that this is the case.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2012

Present study was performed to investigate the effect of single and co-culture of adipocyte and muscle cell lines on cell differentiation. 3T3-L1 (adipocyte) and L6 (muscle) cell lines were single-cultured on the condition of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS)/Dulbeco's modified eagle's medium (DMEM) for 48 h followed by culture within 5% FBS/DMEM as a growth media. Then, the growth media was replaced by differentiation media composed of 2% FBS/DMEM without additives in single- or co-culture of the 3T3-L1 and the L6 cells to induce differentiation of both cell types. In co-culture system, the 3T3-L1 and the L6 cells were grown in separated places by being seeded on a $0.4{\mu}m$ insert membrane and on the bottom of 6 well plate, respectively. Cell differentiation was measured using morphological investigation and cytosolic analysis of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH; for 3T3-L1) and creatine kinase (CK; for L6). Based on the GPDH results, the presence of L6 cells did not stimulate 3T3-L1 differentiation showing more differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells in the single-culture compared to the co-culture condition. In contrast, 3T3-L1 cells in the co-culture promoted differentiation of L6 cells. Enzymatic analysis supported this result showing that 3T3-L1 cells showed statistically (P<0.05) higher GPDH activity in the single-culture than the co-culture, whereas CK results of L6 cells were vice versa (P<0.05). Overall, present results may indicate that co-culture system is more reliable and precise technique compared to single-culture. Further studies on several co-culture trials including different media conditions, supplementation of differentiating substances, molecular biological analysis, etc. should be required to obtain practical and fundamental mass data.