• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5993-5999
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• 2015

Background: Molecular testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most objective and reproducible of all cervical cancer screening tests and also less demanding in terms of training and quality assurance. However, there is an impending need for cost effective molecular HPV testing methods with sampling ease, easy storage measures and minimum turn around times suitable for a low resource setting. Objective : Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of using a fast transfer analysis (FTA) mini elute cartridge for cervical sampling to identify high risk HPV by real time PCR and to compare molecular HPV testing and Pap cytology testing to predict histologically confirmed cervical precancer (CIN 2+ lesions) in a cervical cancer prevention program. Materials and Methods: This was conducted as a pilot study (n=200) on women sampled using FTA mini elute cartridges, genotyped by two different real time PCR assays, detecting 13 high risk HPV (HR HPV) species, including HPV16 along with its physical DNA status. Results obtained from each of the tests were compared and analysed using suitable statistical tests. Results: With FTA mini elute cartridge samples HR HPV positivity was seen in 48/200 (24%). Of these, presence of HPV 16 DNA was observed in 28/48 (58.3%) women. High risk HPV was positive in 20% (37/185) of women with benign cytology and 73.3% (11/15) of women with abnormal cytology findings. A very significant correlation (${\chi}^2=22.090$ ; p=0.000) was observed between cytology and HR HPV findings showing an increasing trend of HR HPV prevalence in 50% (1/2) of LSIL, 75% (3/4) of HSIL and 100% (3/3) of SCC. Of the CIN 2+ lesions identified by histopathology, 88.9% (8/9) had HR HPV. A significant association (${\chi}^2=11.223$ ; p=0.001) of HR HPV and histopathologically confirmed CIN 2+ lesions was found. Sensitivity of the two tests were comparable but specificity of Pap testing was better (90.7% vs 70.4%) to predict histopathologically diagnosed cervical precancers. Conclusions: The current study explored the feasibility of using a FTA mini elute cartridge for cervical sampling for the first time in India as a part of a community based cervical cancer prevention program. We suggest that FTA based sampling is suitable and feasible for real time based HPV testing. Molecular HR HPV testing can be more sensitive and useful to identify high risk women requiring Pap testing which is more specific to detect histologically confirmed cervical precancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.707-712
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• 2014

Purpose: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, high reoperation rates, and increased hospital length of stay. Here we investigated the risk factors for AL after anterior resection for rectal cancer with a double stapling technique. Patients and Methods: Data for 460 patients who underwent primary anterior resection with a double stapling technique for rectal carcinoma at a single institution from 2003 to 2007 were prospectively collected. All patients experienced a total mesorectal excision (TME) operation. Clinical AL was defined as the presence of leakage signs and confirmed by diagnostic work-up according to ICD-9 codes 997.4, 567.22 (abdominopelvic abscess), and 569.81 (fistula of the intestine). Univariate and logistic regression analyses of 20 variables were undertaken to determine risk factors for AL. Survival was analysed using the Cox regression method. Results: AL was noted in 35 (7.6%) of 460 patients with rectal cancer. :Median age of the patients was 65 (50-74) and 161 (35%) were male. The diagnosis of AL was made between the 6th and 12th postoperative day (POD; mean 8th POD). After univariate and multivariate analysis, age (p=0.004), gender (p=0.007), tumor site (p<0.001), preoperative body mass index (EMI) (p<0.001), the reduction of TSGF on 5th POD less than 10U/ml (p=0.044) and the pH value of pelvic dranage less than or equal to 6.978 on 3rd POD (p<0.001) were selected as 6 independent risk factors for AL. It was shown that significant differences in survival of the patients were AL-related (p<0.001), high ASA score related (p=0.036), high-level EMI related (p=0.007) and advanced TNM stage related

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.148-156
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary integration with extruded linseed (EL) on fatty acid (FA) and aromatic profile of goat cheese after 60 (T₆₀) days of ripening. Methods: Thirty goats were divided in two groups. The control group (CG) was fed with conventional diet, whereas the experimental group (EL+) was fed with conventional diet supplemented with 10% of EL. Milk samples were collected on 30 and 60 days of trial to determinate chemical-nutritional composition and FA profile. At the end of experiment, six cheese-making sessions (3 for each group) were carried out using a pooled milk sample obtained from the 15 goats of each group. At 60 days of ripening, cheeses were analyzed for chemical-nutritional composition, FA and aromatic profile. Results: An increase in the milk production, protein, fat and lactose were evidenced in the EL+ goats. Conversely, a reduction of somatic cells was observed in the EL+ compared with the CG. However, no variation was observed for urea and casein levels content in milk samples, and no changes in protein and lipid content were found for cheeses in the two experimental groups. Dietary supplementation with EL modified the FA profile of milk. There was a decrease in saturated FAs and an increase in polyunsaturated FAs. Chemical composition of T₆₀ cheese did not differ between the two groups but a different FA profile was observed. In T₆₀ cheese obtained from EL+ milk, an increase in short-chain FA and a decrease in medium and long-chain FA were observed. The EL diet led to cheeses with butanoic acid 2 times higher compared to CG cheeses. Moreover, a greater presence of aldehyde compounds and alcohols were observed in the cheeses of experimental group. Conclusion: The present study pointed out that EL supplementation may improve the chemical and physical qualities of goat milk and cheeses.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.100-109
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• 2001

The backscattered sound energy by fish depends on size and physical structure and, most important, on the presence or absence of a swimbladder. Target strength experiments of red seabream (Pagrus major) were conducted by using 38 (split-beam), 120 (split-beam) and 200 kHz (dual-beam) frequencies with live fishes confined in a net-cage and free swimming in tank without the cage, respectively. For 38, 120, and 200 kHz frequencies, target strength equations are expressed as a function of fish length：TS/sub 38kHz/=20 log/sub 1o(l)/-66.41, TS/sub 120kHz/＝20 log/sub 1o(1)/-71.80, and TS/sub 200kHz/＝20 log/sub 1o(1)/-73.94. To test the acoustic models by using Helmholtz-Kirchhoff ray approximation, predictions of target strength based on swimbladder morphometries are compared with target strength measurements. The target strength of whole fish depends on variations in swimbladder morphology than fish body morphology. In the mean time, when the fish is confined in the net cage, scattering length by the backscattered signal matched with the Gaussian PDF, while under the free-swimming condition, scattering length is close to the Rayleigh PDF.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.225-236
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• 2013

3D contents could cause unique 3D visual fatigue. Screen disparity, image blurring, and crosstalk are known to be the three major factors responsible for the fatigue. Among these, screen disparity and image blurring are content factors, that is, one can directly manipulate contents themselves to handle visual fatigue caused by these two factors. On the other hand, because crosstalk is closely tied to physical characteristics of 3D display, it is difficult or even impossible to reduce crosstalk-driven visual fatigue unless one replaces 3D display itself (for example, from active to passive display). However, the effects of crosstalk on 3D visual fatigue depends on visual stimulus features (that is, contents), and thus it is possible to manipulate stimulus features in order to handle visual fatigue caused by crosstalk. Hence, this research tested the effects of visual stimulus features on crosstalk (which then causes 3D visual fatigue). Using relative depth discrimination task, we tested the effects of stimulus-background contrast, background texture density, and screen disparity on the degree of perceived crosstalk. The results showed that crosstalk decreases with presence of background texture and with less degree of screen disparity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.08a
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• pp.297-297
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• 2010

Precise control of the position and density of doping elements at the nanoscale is becoming a central issue for realizing state-of-the-art silicon-based optoelectronic devices. As dimensions are scaled down to take benefits from the quantum confinement effect, however, the presence of interfaces and the nature of materials adjacent to silicon turn out to be important and govern the physical properties. Utilization of visible light is a promising method to overcome the efficiency limit of the crystalline Si solar cells. Si quantum dots (QDs) have been proposed as an emission source of visible light, which is based on the quantum confinement effect. Light emission in the visible wavelength has been reported by controlling the size and density of Si QDs embedded within various types of insulating matrix. For the realization of all-Si QD solar cells with homojunctions, it is prerequisite not only to optimize the impurity doping for both p- and n-type Si QDs, but also to construct p-n homojunctions between them. In this study, XPS and SIMS were used for the development of p-type and n-type Si quantum dot solar cells. The stoichiometry of SiOx layers were controlled by in-situ XPS analysis and the concentration of B and P by SIMS for the activated doping in Si nano structures. Especially, it has been experimentally evidenced that boron atoms in silicon nanostructures confined in SiO2 matrix can segregate into the Si/$SiO_2$ interfaces and the Si bulk forming a distinct bimodal spatial distribution. By performing quantitative analysis and theoretical modelling, it has been found that boron incorporated into the four-fold Si crystal lattice can have electrical activity. Based on these findings, p-type Si quantum dot solar cell with the energy-conversion efficiency of 10.2% was realized from a [B-doped $SiO_{1.2}$(2 nm)/$SiO_2(2\;nm)]^{25}$ superlattice film with a B doping level of $4.0{\times}10^{20}\;atoms/cm^2$.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.149-152
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee by arthroscopic procedure according to presence or absence of mechanical symptoms. Materials and Methods: We studied sixty patients (60 knees) who underwent arthroscopic procedure for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee from October,2000 to January,2002. The average follow up period was 15 months(12-30 months). We evaluated the mechanical symptoms by simple radiographs, history taking and physical examination. We analysed the clinical results by Baumgaertner's scale. Results: The Baumgaetner's score improved from 3.1 preoperatively to 8.1 postoperatively in the group with mechanical symptoms, whereas the scores in the group without mechanical symptom improved from 3.5 preoperatively to 5.4 postoperatively. The patients with mechanical symptoms were satisfied more than the patients without mechanical symptoms. Conclusion: The arthroscopic surgery could be one of good alternative treatment methods for the osteoarthritis of the knee with mechanical symptoms . But, more than these patients will be needed for further evaluation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.819-828
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• 2011

To inspect norovirus contamination of groundwater in south eastern areas of Korea, a systematic survey of groundwater in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do was performed for two years from 2009 to 2010. For this purpose, we first optimized the nested reverse transcription-PCR condition by designing two sets of primers for the detection of norovirus genogroups, GI and GII. Of 145 samples, 21 (25.9%) and 15 (23.4%) were norovirus positive in the dry season (April to June) and wet season (July to August), respectively. The detection frequencies of norovirus in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do were 15%, 7%, and 32%, respectively, reflecting a geographical difference in their distribution. The GI and GII isolates were 5 and 31, respectively, indicating the prevalence of GII in the tested areas. According to phylogenetic analysis of their nucleotide sequences, all of the GI isolates were identified to genotype GI.5 whilst the GII isolates were divided into two genotypes, GII.3 and GII.4. Neither physical-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, oxidation-reduction potential, and dissolved oxygen, nor microbial indicators of water quality such as total bacteria, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli were statistically correlated with contamination of norovirus in the groundwater. Interestingly, however, the presence of norovirus was closely correlated with low turbidity (<0.50 NTU). The present study suggests that periodical monitoring of norovirus in groundwater is necessary to prevent epidemic waterborne diseases and to secure better sanitary conditions for public health.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.369-376
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of current body weight and body mass index (BMI) at age three and birth weight in developing chronic respiratory illness in childhood and identify possible interaction underlying its mechanism. Methods: The study was carried out with 422 children who were enrolled in a hospital-based birth cohort. Birth related anthropometric data were collected at birth. At age 3 years, the presence of respiratory symptoms was evaluated by using the Korean version of core questionnaire for wheezing and asthma from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Physical examination was carried out to measure the child's weight and height. Results: Children in the lowest birth weight tertile (aOR = 3.97, 95% CI = 0.94-16.68) or highest BMI tertile (aOR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.24-10.95) at three years of age were at an increased risk of chronic respiratory illness. Children who were initially in the lowest birth weight tertile but now belong in the highest weight tertile had higher risk of chronic respiratory illness compared to those who had remained in the middle tertile (OR=16.35, 95% CI=1.66-160.57). Conclusions: Children with lower birth weight or higher BMI were at an increased risk of chronic respiratory illness. In addition, children who were initially in the lowest birth weight tertile but are now in the highest weight tertile had higher risk of chronic respiratory illness compared to those who remained in the middle tertile.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.361-368
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• 2016

As the tertiary industry is being developed, many problems are introduced in an industrial area in Korea. This study aims to investigate the residents' health conditions, such as the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasonography, comparing the urban with the industrial areas. The subjects were 378 adults in the urban area and 376 adults in the industrial area. Subject variables accounted for were gender, age, drinking habits, smoking habits, physical activities, waist circumferences and BMI. In blood tests, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, HDL, blood pressures, total cholesterol, AST, ALT and GGT were examined. Also, the presence and absence of fatty liver, diagnosed using ultrasonography, was investigated. As a result, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome were 43.7% in the urban area and 51.6% in the industrial area, hence it was significantly higher in the industrial area than in the urban area. Fasting blood glucose, triglyceride and waist circumference in the distribution of the individual components were 47.4, 53.7, and 16.1% in the urban area and 54.5, 61.5, and 22.9% in the industrial area respectively, so it was substantially higher in the industrial area than in the urban area. On the other hand, HDL, diastolic blood pressure, and fatty liver were 25.7, 43.4, and 44.7% in the urban area and 21.3, 19.9, and 36.7% in the industrial area respectively and thus it was much higher in the urban area than in the industrial area. In conclusion, this study shows that there were significant differences between the residents' health condition, comparing the urban area to the industrial area. Therefore, the precaution and aggressive management of metabolic syndrome may be necessary, in accordance with the characteristics of the industrial zone.