• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2012

Licorice is a very useful herbal medicine frequently prescribed, but glycyrrhizin, one of its components, can cause pseudoaldosteronism presenting hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and hypertension as a result of prolonging a biological half-life of systemic steroid by strongly inhibiting the enzyme $11{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2. The risk factors for this side effect are still unclear. Here, 479 hospitalized patients taking herbal medicines including licorice for more than five days were recruited to analyze their serum potassium levels, under following parameters ; age and gender of patient, dose and period of licorice, disease state such as hypertension and with or without diuretics. They were divided into the non-occurrence group (over 3.5 mEq/L) and the occurrence group (under 3.5 mEq/L) of hypokalemia based on serum potassium levels during hospitalization. The average ages of the non-occurrence group and the occurrence group were $52.6{\pm}17.8$ and $68{\pm}10.5$, respectively (p < 0.001). But there were no noticeable differences in the daily dose of licorice, days of taking, and total dose between groups. Regression analysis showed that odd ratio of age (>60) and taking diuretics inducing hypokalemia was 3.5 (95%CI 1.5-8.1), 4.6 (95%CI 2.0-10.9) that indicates significant correlation with hypokalemia. Based upon this analysis, it is imperative to monitor regularly the risk of pseudoaldosteronism or hypokalemia not only when administered licorice of high dose for long period but also when combined it with diuretics causing hypokalemia to the elderly patients over 60 year old.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2013

To investigate the effects of short-term exposure of beryllium on the human immune system, the proportion of T-lymphocytes such as CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD95, and NK cells, and the proportion of B cells and $TNF{\alpha}$ level in peripheral blood and immunoglobulins in the serum of 43 exposed workers and 34 healthy control subjects were studied. External exposure to beryllium was measured by atomic absorption spectrometer as recommended by the NIOSH analytical method 7300. T lymphocyte subpopulation analysis was carried out with flow cytometer. The working duration of exposed workers was less than 3 months and the mean ambient beryllium level was $3.4{\mu}g/m^3$, $112.3{\mu}g/m^3$, and $2.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in molding (furnace), deforming (grinding), and sorting processes, respectively (cited from Kim et al., 2008). However, ambient beryllium level after process change was non-detectable (< $0.1{\mu}g/m^3$). The number of T lymphocytes and the amount of immunoglobulins in the beryllium-exposed workers and control subjects were not significantly different, except for the total number of lymphocytes and CD95 (APO1/FAS). The total number of lymphocytes was higher in the beryllium-exposed individuals than in the healthy control subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed lymphocytes to be affected by beryllium exposure (odd ratio = 7.293; p<0.001). These results show that short-term exposure to beryllium does not induce immune dysfunction but is probably associated with lymphocytes proliferation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.549-558
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study is designed as a retrospective study, and identified the clinical usability of Sit to Stand (STS) test for predicting of fall incidence in stroke patients who experienced a fall within 1 year. METHODS: Between July 2011 and November 2012, 69 inpatients with stroke in K rehabilitation hospital were participated under voluntarily signing the informed consent form. STS test and 10m walk test (10MWT) were used to assess the muscle strength of lower-extremity and walking velocity, respectively. Also, we tested dynamic balance and motor function of lower-extremity in affected-side using with the Berg balance scale (BBS) and the Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity (FM-L/E). METHODS: There were significant differences between subjects with fall-experienced group and without subjects without fall-experienced group in STS test, 10MWT, BBS scores and FM-L/E. STS test significantly showed a negative correlation between 10MWT (r=-.657), BBS (r=-.512), and FM-L/E (r=-.563). And, 10MWT have a influence on the performance of STS test (the capacity of explanation = 20%). The cut-off value of STS performance predicting falls experience is ${\geq}14.36$ seconds (sensitivity=76%; specificity=79%, area under curve=.785). According to logistic regression analysis of falls experience, subjects ${\geq}14.36$ s showed that 4.164 times (odd ratio) increased in falls than subjects < 14.36 s in STS test. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that STS test may be a useful tool predicting and measuring falls in patients with stroke. Further study will be needed to elucidate the kinematic analysis of STS test and the relationship between physical activity level and falls in stroke patients.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.152-159
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hypertriglyceridemia may be a more important predictor of cardiovascular disease in Asian population consuming carbohydrate-rich foods than in Western populations. Dairy products are known to play a beneficial role in obesity, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, but the results vary depending on gender and obesity. In this study, we investigated the associations between dairy product intake and hypertriglyceridemia in Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012 (KNHANES IV and V). A total of 22,836 participants aged 19-64 years were included in the analysis. A food frequency questionnaire used to determine the frequency of consumption of products (milk and yogurt). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associations between dairy product intake and hypertriglyceridemia. RESULTS: A significantly decreased risk of hypertriglyceridemia was detected in the highest dairy product intake frequency group (≥ 1 time/day) (odd ratio [OR] = 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.97, P for trend = 0.022) compared to that for the lowest dairy product intake frequency group. Among obese participants, the group with the highest intakes of milk (in men, OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46-0.91, P for trend = 0.036) and yogurt (in women; OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.29-0.94, P for trend = 0.019) showed inverse associations with hypertriglyceridemia. No associations were detected in normal weight participants. CONCLUSION: The association between dairy product intake and hypertriglyceridemia differed by gender and obesity status. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these associations.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2007

This research investigated the effects of spherical and aspherical R.G.P lenses which was performed by optometrists in In-Cheon and Kyung-Gi region. This research survey included various questions such as the fitting status, after-care method, preliminary test. Results of the survey revealed that the optometriests sold the asperical and spherical lenses with a ratio of 7:3, respectively, and most of them did not cheked Topography, Fluorescein test by slit lamp biomicroscope, Tear Break up time test, Schirmer test and so on. And, with fitted R.G.P lenses symptoms like light odd-feeling, congestion, eye-stimulus, dimness and dryness were frequently reported. The purposes of this study are to search for the ideal fitting check of R.G.P lens and remind the most important preliminary test for contact lens fitting.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and microbiological characteristics of urinary tract infection in infants aged younger three months and to compare with other infection with positive urine culture. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 425 infants with a tympanic temperature >$37.6^{\circ}C$, aged younger than three months, who were admitted to Cheil General Hospital in Seoul, Korea, from January 2013 to December 2016. Demographic and clinical features, laboratory findings, respiratory virus PCR and the pathogens of a urine culture were analyzed. Results: A total of 88 infants (63 males, 25 females) had urinary pathogens detected in the urine culture test. The incidence of UTI in febrile infants aged younger 3 months was 11%. The most common pathogen which causes UTI was E. coli as same as in previous studies. They were divided into a UTI group (n=48) and a non-UTI group (n=40). In comparison of both group, leukocytosis, C-reactive protein level, Absolute neutrophil count level, peak temperature is statistically significant. In both group, there were co-infections with viral pathogens in some cases, and the odd ratio of non-UTI group with viral infection was 3.28. Conclusion: The study determined the incidence and pathogen of UTI in febrile infants, aged younger three months. E. coli was responsible for the majority UTI. There were some viral co-infections in febrile infants with bacteriuria and incidence was higher in non-UTI group. WBC count, ANC count and CRP level were the differentiating factors of UTI from non-UTI group.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.51-59
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• 2017

In this paper, we propose a gray code order of antenna index permutations for differential spatial modulation (DSM). To facilitate the implementation, the well-known Trotter-Johnson ranking and unranking algorithms are adopted, which result in similar computational complexity to the existing DSM that uses the lexicographic order. The signal-to-noise ratio gain achieved by the proposed gray code order over the lexicographic order is also analyzed and verified via simulations. Based on the gray coding framework, we further propose a diversity-enhancing scheme named intersected gray (I-gray) code order, where the permutations of active antenna indices are selected directly from the odd (or even) positions of the full permutations in the gray code order. From analysis and simulations, it is shown that the I-gray code order can harvest an additional transmit diversity order with respect to the gray code order.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1289-1293
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• 2015

Background: Anal intraepithelial lesions (AIL) are likely to represent a precursor for anal cancer. Women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be at higher risk of anal cancer but a screening program for AIL still is not routinely recommended. We here studied the relationship of dysplastic cells from cervical and anal cytology in HIV-infected women. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Prapokklao Hospital, Thailand during 2013-2014. Five hundred and ninety nine HIV-infected women were recruited. Participants who had cytological reports of equally or over "abnormal squamous/glandular cells of undetermined significance" (ASC-US) were classified as abnormal cervical or anal cytology. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate correlations between groups. Results: HIV-infected women with abnormal cervical cytology had 3.8 times more risk (adjusted odd ratio 3.846, 95% confidence interval 1.247-11.862, p-value. 019) for abnormal anal cytology. The major problem of the anal Pap test in this study was the inadequacy of the collected specimens for evaluation (34.4%, 206/599). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of cervical and anal Pap tests were 93.9/12.0, 87.3/96.9, 39.7/21.4, 99.4/94.1 and 88.1/91.4 percent, respectively. Conclusions: Abnormal cervical cytology in HIV-infected women indicates elevated risk for abnormal anal cytology. The sensitivity of the anal Pap test for detection of AIL 2/3 in HIV-infected women was quite low while specificity was excellent. Inadequacy of specimen collection for evaluation was a major limitation. Improvement of sample collection is recommended for future investigations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5097-5099
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• 2012

Objective: To assess associations of Type II DM with hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in Nepal. Materials and Methods: This case control study was carried out using data retrieved from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences between 1st January, 2012, and 31st August, 2012. The variables collected were age, gender, HbA1c. All biochemical parameters were analyzed in the Central Laboratory of our hospital by standard validated methods. One way ANOVA was used to examine the statistical significant difference between groups with the LSD post-hoc test for comparison of means of case groups. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using simple logistic-regression analysis. Results: Etiological factors for HCC were HBV, HCV, alcohol and cryptogenic cirrhosis. The highest age group belonged to the etiological category of HCV with a mean of $71.9{\pm}3.6$ (CI 69.3, 74.5) years and the lowest age group to the etiological category of HBV with $61.7{\pm}5.3$(CI 57.9, 65.5) years. The main imperative basis of HCC in present study was HCV (39.5%) and second most significant cause of HCC was alcohol (26%). Glycated hemoglobin was found to be more in males with HCC (7.9%) as compared to females (7.3%). The percentage of Type II diabetes mellitus was greater in HCC patients when compared to controls. This difference was statistically significant with an odd ratio of 4.63 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Type II DM influences incidence, risk of recurrence, overall survival, and treatment-related complications in HCC patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.847-853
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• 1999

A Pseudomonas sp. strain that is capable of utilizing dicarboxylic acids as a sole carbon source was isolated from activated sludge by using the enrichment culture technique. This organism accumulated polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) with an unusual pattern of monomer units that depends on the carbon sources used. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) homopolyester was synthesized from glucose or small $C_{-even}$ alkanoic acids, such as butyric acid and hexanoic acid. Accumulation of PHB homopolyester was also observed in the cells grown on $C_{-odd}$ dicarboxylic acids, such as heptanedioic acid and nonanedioic acid as the sole carbon sources. In contrast, a copolyester consisting of 6 mol% 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 94 mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) was produced with a PHA content of as much as 36% of the cellular dry matter. This strain produced PHAs consisting both of the short-chain-length (SCL) and the medium-chain-length (MCL) 3-hydroxyacid units when heptanoic acid to undecanoic acid were fed as the sole carbon sources. Most interestingly, polyester consisting of significant amount of relevant fractions, 3HB, 3HV, and 3-hydroxyheptanoate (3HHp), was accumulated from heptanoic acid. According to solvent fractionation experiments, the polymer produced from heptanoic acid was a blend of poly(3HHp) and of a copolyester of 3HB, 3HV, and 3HHp units. The hexane soluble fractions contained only 3HHp units while the hexane-insoluble fractions contained 3HB and 3HV units with a small amount of 3HHp unit. The copolyester was an elastomer with unusual mechanical properties. The maximum elongation ratio of the copolyester was 460% with an ultimate strength of 10 MPa, which was very different from those of poly(3HB-co-3HV) copolyesters having similar compositions produced from other microorganisms.