• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8455-8460
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• 2016

Background: Poor participation rates are often observed in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs utilising faecal occult blood tests. This may be from dislike of faecal sampling, or having benign bleeding conditions that can interfere with test results. These barriers may be circumvented by offering a blood-based DNA test for screening. The aim was to determine if program participation could be increased by offering a blood test following faecal immunochemical test (FIT) non-participation. Materials and Methods: People were invited into a CRC screening study through their General Practice and randomised into control or intervention (n=600/group). Both groups were mailed a FIT (matching conventional screening programs). Participation was defined as FIT completion within 12wk. Intervention group non-participants were offered a screening blood test (methylated BCAT1/IKZF1). Overall participation was compared between the groups. Results: After 12wk, FIT participation was 82% and 81% in the control and intervention groups. In the intervention 96 FIT nonparticipants were offered the blood test - 22 completed this test and 19 completed the FIT instead. Total screening in the intervention group was greater than the control (88% vs 82%, p<0.01). Of 12 invitees who indicated that FIT was inappropriate for them (mainly due to bleeding conditions), 10 completed the blood test (83%). Conclusions: Offering a blood test to FIT non-participants increased overall screening participation compared to a conventional FIT program. Blood test participation was particularly high in invitees who considered FIT to be inappropriate for them. A blood test may be a useful adjunct test within a FIT program.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.187-202
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• 2018

Objectives : Non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation is one of therapeutic interventions to change in neural excitability of the cortex. Transcranial electro-acupuncture (TEA) can modulate brain functions through changes in cortical excitability as a model of non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation. Some composites of fermented Scutellaria baicalenis (FSB) can activate intercellular signaling pathways for activation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor that is critical for formation of neural plasticity in stroke patients. This study was aimed at evaluation of combinatory treatment of TEA and FSB on behavior recovery and cortical neural excitability in rodent focal stroke model. Methods : Focal ischemic stroke was induced by photothrombotic injury to the motor cortex of adult rats. Application of TEA with 20 Hz and $200{\mu}A$ in combination with daily oral treatment of FBS was given to stroke animals for 3 weeks. Motor recovery was evaluated by rotating bean test and ladder working test. Electrical activity of cortical pyramidal neurons of stroke model was evaluated by using multi-channel extracellular recording technique and thallium autometallography. Results : Compared with control stroke group who did not receive any treatment, Combination of TEA and FSB treatment resulted in more rapid recovery of forelimb movement following focal stroke. This combination treatment also elicited increase in spontaneous firing rate of putative pyramidal neurons. Furthermore expression of metabolic marker for neural excitability was upregulated in peri-infract area under thallium autometallography. Conclusions : These results suggest that combination treatment of TEA and FSB can be a possible remedy for motor recovery in focal stroke.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.245-249
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• 2023

Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), an invasive annual plant, poses a significant threat to the agricultural systems of many countries, including Korea. In 2020, leaf blight symptoms were observed in the prickly lettuce populations of various farms across Korea. Detailed morphological and molecular sequence analyses revealed that the disease was caused by the fungus, Curvularia intermedia. A pathogenicity test confirmed that the fungus can cause the same symptoms in healthy prickly lettuce, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. intermedia causing leaf blight on L. serriola in Korea, suggesting its potential as a biocontrol agent for this weed. However, further investigations are necessary to determine its ecological impact to prevent any non-target effects.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.195-199
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• 2007

Objective : Bilateral laminotomy and unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression are becoming the minimally invasive procedures for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). With the aim of less invasiveness and better preservation of spinal stability. these techniques have been developed. But there are no large randomized studies to show the surgical results between these two techniques. The objective of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of these two minimally invasive techniques. Methods : A total of 80 patients were included in this study (Group I : bilateral laminotomy, Group II : Unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression). Perioperative parameters and complications were analyzed. Symptoms and scores such as visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and SF-36 scores of prospectively accrued patients were assessed preoperatively and at 1 month and 12 months after surgery. Paired-t test, two-sample student-t tests, and non parametric tests were used to determine cross-sectional differences between two groups. Results : No major complications such as spinal instability or deaths occurred during follow-up periods. VAS, ODI scores and SF-36 body pain and physical function scores showed statistically significant improvements in both groups (p<0.001). The significant widening of the spinal canal diameter was also noted in both groups. But, in Group II. there were minor postoperative complications such as dural tear (2 cases 5.0%), fracture of ipsilateral inferior facet (1 case 2.5%), and 5 cases of transient leg symptoms of contralateral side. Conclusion : Both bilateral laminotomy and unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression allow achievement of adequate and long-lasting operative results in patients with LSS. But postoperative complications are more frequent in Group II (unilateral laminotomy and bilateral decompression). These results indicate that bilateral laminotomy is the preferred minimally invasive technique to treat symptomatic LSS.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.1124-1129
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• 2009

This study aims to examine the effects of non-invasive constant microcurrent stimulation on expression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein(BMP) 4 after tibia fracture in rabbits. Twenty four rabbits with tibia fracture were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Each group was divided into four subgroups, based on the duration of the experiment (3, 7, 14, 28 days). The experimental groups received a constant microcurrent stimulation of $20{\sim}25{\mu}A$ intensity with surface Ag-AgCl electrode (diameter 1cm, Biopac, U.S.A.) for 24 hours a day. Cathode of the microcurrent stimulator located on the tibia directly, anode of it did on the gastrocnemius muscle. Rabbits were sacrificed on each of the postoperative days 3, 7, 14, 28. To investigate how non- invasive constant microcurrent stimulation affects bone healing, immunohistochemical analysis of BMP-4 was performed at each point. After evaluation, the test results are as follows: Comparisons of immunohistochemical observation of BMP-4 in 7 days after tibial fracture show that there was shown to be a moderate positive reaction (++) on concentric circles of Harversian system andt he interstitial lamella in the control group, while there was a very strong positive reaction (++++) on concentric circles of Harversian system and interstitial lamellain the experimental group. These results suggest that applying non-invasive constant microcurrent stimulation on fractured bone is helpful to bone healing.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.317-322
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate echocardiographic parameters in dogs with experimental mitral regurgitation subjected to dobutamine stress testing. In 8 beagle dogs, a 4-prong grasping forceps was inserted into the left ventricle through the carotid artery with fluoroscopic guidance. The disruption of chordae or mitral valve leaflet was performed. Echocardiographic protocols included quantitative Doppler echocardiography and M-mode measurement for evaluating left ventricle function. After all measurement was obtained at rest, dobutamine was infused incrementally. In stress testing, all measurement also was performed at rest as the same method. In stress Doppler echocardiography, regurgitant fraction and aortic stroke volume was increased significantly (P<0.001). Effective regurgitant orifice and regurgitant volume was not changed. In M-mode examination, fractional shortening was increased significantly at stress test (P<0.001). From the results obtained in this study, it could be suggested that dobutamine stress echocardiography increase left ventricle performance in non-functional mitral regurgitation and quantitative Doppler echocardiography is non-invasive, accurate method in valvular regurgitation.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.664-673
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of meridian acupressure on constipation in bed-ridden aged inpatients. Methods: The research design was a non-synchronized non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects consisted of 28 bed-ridden aged inpatients. Meridian acupressure was administered to the experimental group at 30 minutes before breakfast every morning for two weeks. Each meridian was pressured for 10 seconds, 10 times. The frequency of defecation and stool form were examined every day. The data was analyzed by the $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The experimental group given Meridian Acupressure had a higher frequency of defecation(F = 59.372, p = .000) and normal stool(F = 46.046, p = .000) than the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that Meridian Acupressure was an effective method for the relief of constipation for bed-ridden aged inpatients. A follow -up research is needed to validate that other patients with constipation can use the Meridian Acupressure as a non-invasive nursing intervention instead of a laxative or enema.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.305-309
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• 2016

PTEN protein is an important tumour suppressor factor detectable by immunohistochemistry. The goal of the present study was to investigate the prognostic role of PTEN gene expression focusing on length of survival in breast cancer patients. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 100 breast cancer cases referred to Sabzevar hospitals in the north east of Iran between 2010 and 2011, followed up to 2015. The PTEN gene expression of tumour tissue samples was determined using specific monoclonal antibodies. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Patient length of survival was analyzed after 4 years of follow-up using the Cox regression model. The PTEN gene was expressed in 70 of 100 samples, while being found at a high level in all noncancerous samples. There was an inverse significant relationship between expression of PTEN and tumour stage and grade (p<0.001). In addition, expression of PTEN in invasive ductal tumours was less than in non-invasive tumours. There was also an inverse significant relationship between the likelihood of death and PTEN gene expression (p<0.01). These findings indicate that lack of PTEN gene expression can be sign for a worse prognosis and poor survival in breast cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.689-692
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• 2006

In this study, an implementation of a system for measuring more accurate blood pressure by non-invasive methods of oscillometric was performed to reduce errors and weaknesses of the existing invasive blood pressure measurement methods. The system is composed of pressure control, signal measurement and blood pressure signal processing units. To verify the validity of the system, tests of characteristics evaluations for pressure measurement unit, extraction of characteristic ratios for blood pressure estimation, blood pressure tracking by oscillometric method were performed. A group of five adult male was selected for the clinical test of the implemented system. The results of the oscillometric method in comparison with auscultatory method are that the maximum ratios of PAD of average, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure are 1.38%, 1.63% and 2.97% with SEP of 5.00, 3.72 and 4.34.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.230-241
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effects of a swallowing training program on swallowing function and depression for nursing home residents with dysphagia after stroke. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with non-equivalent control group pre-post test design. The program (oro-facial muscle strengthening exercises, swallowing exercises, expiratory muscle strengthening exercises, and brain stimulation exercises) applied to the experimental group three times per week for eight weeks, 40-45 minutes for each intervention. The final data from 42 people (21 experimental and 21 control) were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 25.0 using descriptive statistics. 𝜒² test, t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Friedman test. Results: The experimental group was significantly improved than control group in oro-facial muscle strength, swallowing symptoms (Z=-2.22, p=.026), and oral intake function level (Z=-2.00, p=.046). However, there was no significant difference between two groups in depression. Conclusion: This study is meaningful in that it reorganized and mediated a swallowing training program as a safe, non-invasive exercise that nurses can implement in a nursing facility with limited medical personnel and it could be easily followed by older adults.