• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권14호
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• pp.5921-5926
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• 2014

A large proportion of patients with thyroid nodules in China undergo thyroidectomy in order to get confirmatory histology diagnosis. The financial impact of this modality remains to be investigated. To evaluate rationality of performing thyroidectomy without a routine FNA preoperatively from the economic perspective, we conducted a retrospective, observational study of all archival thyroidectomies with records of cost per stay (CPS), cost per day (CPD) and length of stay (LOS) from 2008 to 2013 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. We compared all the parameters between cancer and non-cancer thyroidectomies. We recruited 6, 140 thyroidectomies with valid records of CPS, CPD and LOS in this period. The CPS of cancer thyroidectomy was significantly higher than non-cancer thyroidectomy. The percentage of cancer thyroidectomy increased from 26.5% to 41.6%. The percentage of annual cost of cancer thyroidectomies rose from 30.2% to 45.2%. The LOS for cancer and non-cancer thyroidectomy decreased while the CPD increased in the past six years. The estimated national cost in 2012 for all thyroidectomies would be USD 1.86 billion with USD 1.09 billion for non-cancer thyroidectomies. We have witnessed great improvement in the healthcare for patients with thyroid nodules in China. However, given limited healthcare resources, currently thyroid FNA for more precise preoperative diagnosis may help to curb the rapidly increasing demand in healthcare costs in the future for nodular thyroid disease in China.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.935-940
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• 2013

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of conventional ultrasonography and real time ultrasound elastography in differentiating degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy from papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed conventional ultrasonographic and elastographic characteristics of 19 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy in 19 patients, with 30 surgically confirmed PTCs as controls. Based on size, the nodules had been grouped into less than 10mm (group A) and greater than 10 mm (group B). We evaluated conventional parameters and elasticity pattern. Color-scaled elastograms were graded as to stiffness of nodules using an elasticity pattern from I (soft) to IV (stiff). Results: Degenerating cystic thyroid nodules were similar to PTCs in conventional ultrasonographic findings, but the former frequently showed oval to round in shape (group A, 69.2% vs 18.8%, P=0.017; group B, 66.7% vs 7.14%, P=0.017) and punctuate hyperechoic foci (group A, 61.5% vs 0, P<0.001; group B, 50% vs 0, P<0.001). On real time ultrasound elastography, 7 of 13 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules in group A were pattern I, 5 were pattern II, 1 was pattern III. One degenerating cystic thyroid nodule in group B was pattern II, 5 were pattern III. The area under the curve for elastography was 0.98 in group A (sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 100%, P = 0.002), and 0.88 in group B (sensitivity 16.7%, specificity 100%, P = 0.014). Conclusions: As a dependable imaging technique, elastography helps increase the performance in differential diagnosis of degenerating cystic thyroid nodule and malignancy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.753-757
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• 2013

Objective: To evaluate the relationships between lymph node ratio (LNR, the ratio of positive lymph nodes in excised axillary lymph nodes) and disease-free survival (DFS) by comparing with traditional absolute positive lymph node number (pN classification) for prediction of breast cancer (BC) progrnosis. Methods and Patients: We retrospectively reviewed patients who received comprehensive therapy in Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, China from Jan 2002 to Dec 2006 (Group A), and Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China from Jun 2008 to May 2012 (Group B). Patients were allocated to low-risk (${\leq}0.20$), intermediate-risk (> 0.20 but ${\leq}0.65$), high-risk (>0.65) groups by LNR. The primary endpoint was 5-DFS. Results: A total of 294 patients were included in our study. LNR was verified as a negative prognostic factor for DFS (P=0.002 in Group A, P<0.0001 in Group B). Then we found the effects of pN and LNR delamination on disease-free survival (DFS) had statistical significance (P=0.012 for pN and P=0.031 for LNR stratification in Group A, both of them P<0.001 in Group B). Compared to pN staging, LNR staging displayed superior performance in prognosis, the adjusted hazard ratio of recurrence being 2.07 (95%CI, 1.07 to 4.0) for intermediate risk group (P=0.030) and 2.44 (95%CI, 1.21 to 4.92) for high risk group (P=0.013) in Group A. Conclusions: LNR stratification proved an adverse prognostic factor of DFS in lymph nodes positive invasive BC using cut-off values 0.20 and 0.65, and was more predictive than traditional pN classification for 5-DFS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권9호
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• pp.5199-5205
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• 2013

Background/Aim: The Hippo signaling pathway is a newly discovered and conserved signaling cascade, which regulates organ size control by governing cell proliferation and apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate its effects in human gastric cancer. Methods: Tumor tissues (n=60), adjacent non-tumor tissues (n=60) and normal tissues (n=60) were obtained from the same patients with primary gastric cancer (GC). In addition, 70 samples of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) tissues were obtained from patients with intestinal metaplasia (IM) by endoscopic biopsy. Hippo signaling molecules, including Mst1, Lats1, YAP1, TAZ, TEAD1, Oct4 and CDX2, were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Protein expression of Mst1, Lats1, YAP1, TEAD1 and CDX2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: Mst1, Lats1 and Oct4 mRNA expression showed an increasing tendency from GC tissues to normal gastric tissues, while the mRNA expression of YAP1, TAZ and TEAD1 was up-regulated (all P<0.01). Mst1 and Lats1 protein expression presented a similar trend with their mRNA expression. In addition, YAP1 and TEAD1 protein expression in GC was significantly higher than in the other groups (all P<0.01). CDX2 mRNA and protein expression in the CAG group were higher than in the other groups (all P<0.01). In GC, mRNA expression of Mst1, Lats1, Oct4, YAP1, TAZ, TEAD1 and CDX2 had a close correlation with lymphatic metastasis and tumor TNM stage (all P<0.01). Furthermore, protein expression of Mst1, Lats1, YAP1, TAZ, TEAD1 and CDX2 had a close correlation between each other (P<0.05). Conclusion: The Hippo signaling pathway is involved in the development, progression and metastasis of human gastric cancer. Therefore, manipulation of Hippo signaling molecules may be a potential therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.

• 정보처리학회논문지B
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• 제14B권4호
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• pp.287-294
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• 2007

실세계의 문제에서 많은 기계학습의 알고리즘들은 데이터의 클래스 불균형 문제에 어려움을 겪는다. 이러한 클래스 불균형 문제를 해결하기 위하여 데이터의 비율을 변경하거나 좀 더 나은 샘플링 전략으로 극복하려는 연구들이 제안되었다. 그러나 데이터의 비율을 변경하는 연구에서는 전체 데이터 분포의 특성을 고려하지 못하고, 샘플링 전략을 제안하는 연구에서는 여러 가지 제한 조건을 고려해야만 한다. 본 논문에서는 위의 두가지 방법의 장점을 모두 포함하는 개선된 집중 샘플링 방법을 제안한다. 제안된 방법에서는 클래스 불균형 문제를 해결하기 위해 학습에 유용한 데이터들을 샘플링하는데 스코어링에 기반한 데이터 분할 방법을 이용한다. 즉, 입력 데이터들에 대해 SOM(Self Organizing Map)의 학습 결과로 얻은 BMU(Best Matching Unit)와의 거리를 계산하고, 이 거리론 스코어라 한다. 측정된 스코어는 오름차순으로 정렬되며, 이 과정에서 입력 데이터의 분포가 재 표현되고, 재 표현된 분포는 전체 데이터의 특성을 대표하게 된다. 그 결과로 얻은 데이터들 중에서 유용하지 못한 데이터들에 대해 제거하는 과정을 수행하여 새로운 학습 데이터 셋을 얻는다. 새로운 학습 데이터 생성 과정에서는 재 표현된 분포의 결과를 두 구간(upper, lower)으로 분할하는데, 두 추간 사이의 데이터들은 유용하지 못한 패턴들로 간주되어 학습에 이용되지 않는다. 본 논문에서 제안한 방법은 클래스 불균형의 비율 감수 훈련 데이터의 크기 감소, 과적합의 방지 등 몇 가지 장점을 보인다. 제안한 방법으로 샘플링된 데이터에 kNN 을 적용하여, 분류 실험한 결과 심한 불균형이 있는 ecoli 데이터의 분류 성능이 최대 2.27배 향상되었다.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.5465-5475
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• 2013

본 연구에서는 해외 부동산 투자 고려 시 의사결정을 위한 방법으로 실물옵션을 제시하였다. 이를 위해 투자 의사결정을 위한 방법인 기존 현금흐름할인법(DCF)과 실물옵션 기법 중 부동산 투자에 적합한 모형이라 할 수 있는 이항옵션모형을 사용하여 한국과 중국 시장의 부동산 투자 대안을 실증 비교하였다. 이를 위해 한국의 서울과 중국의 상하이 부동산 시장을 대상으로 2001년 ~ 2009년의 데이터를 추출하여 분석하였다. 투자기간 동안의 순현재가치법(NPV:Net Present Value)를 산출한 결과 서울은 435.44로 나타났으며, 상하이는 398.26으로 나타나 순현재가치법에 의한 투자결정 대안으로는 서울에 투자하게 됨을 알 수 있었다. 하지만 실물옵션을 사용하여 옵션의 가치를 산출한 결과 서울은 615.4, 상하이가 628.7로 나타나 상하이가 투자에 적합한 것으로 나타났다. 실제 이에 근거해서 투자했을 경우의 결과를 비교해보면, 서울은 2010년 이후 2013년 현재까지 부동산 가격이 하락하였기 때문에 손해를 보았을 것이며, 상하이는 이전에 비해 상승폭은 줄어들었으나 부동산 가격은 상승했기 때문에 수익을 올릴 수 있었을 것이다. 이로써 기존 현금흐름할인법에 의해 부동산 투자 의사결정을 내리는 것보다 실물옵션을 사용하여 투자 의사결정을 내리는 것이 적합하다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• 한국초등수학교육학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.365-382
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• 2019

이 연구의 목적은 초등학생의 수학 인식론적 신념과 시험불안의 관계에서 수학 시험준비전략의 조절효과를 검증하는데 있다. 이를 위해 수학 인식론적 신념을 예측변인, 수학 시험준비전략을 조절변인, 시험불안을 결과변인으로 설정하여 구조방정식 모형을 활용한 조절효과 검정을 시도하였다. 이 연구는 G광역시에 소재한 13개 초등학교 6학년 810명(남학생 411명, 여학생 399명)을 대상으로 수학 인식론적 신념 검사, 시험불안 검사, 수학 시험준비전략 검사를 실시하여 자료를 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 초등학생의 수학 인식론적 신념과 시험불안의 관계에서 수학 시험준비전략의 조절효과가 유의하였다. 즉, 수학 인식론적 신념이 높을수록 시험불안이 낮았고, 수학 인식론적 신념이 낮을수록 수학 시험준비전략 수준이 시험불안에 미치는 영향력이 큰 것으로 나타났다. 이 분석결과는 수학 인식론적 신념이 낮은 학생들의 경우 수학 시험준비전략에 대한 강조가 오히려 시험불안에 대한 영향력을 가중시키는 반면, 수학 인식론적 신념 수준이 높은 학생들에게는 수학 시험준비전략을 높이기 위한 노력이 시험불안을 낮추는데 효과적임을 시사한다.

• 한국잡초학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.258-265
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• 2010

본 연구는 유기질 복합비료가 벼 재배 논에서 잡초 및 벼 생육에 미치는 영향을 파악하기 위하여 수행되었다. 실내 검정 시험에서 유기질 복합비료를 125~250kg $10a^{-1}$ 처리시 이앙벼는 지상부가 10.3~27.2% 증가하였고, 피는 50.3~89.2%의 출현이 억제되었으며, 사마귀풀은 낮은 처리량에서도 높은 감수성을 보였다. 유기질 복합비료는 피, 물달개비, 사마귀풀에 대하여 담수심(1~5cm)이 깊을수록 높게 억제하였으나, 올방개와 같은 사초과 잡초에 대해서는 억제 효과가 나타나지 않았다. 또 $20{\sim}35^{\circ}C$의 비교적 높은 온도에서 피와 물달개비는 각각 75.4~92.2%, 49.5~81.6%의 높은 출현억제율을 나타냈다. 유기질 복합비료 시용 10일 후 낙수 시 피와 물달개비는 각각 33.7%, 23.0%의 출현억제율을 나타내었다. 포장시험에서 시험 후 토양의 유기물은 관행구에서 유기질 복합비료 시용구보다 약간 낮게 나타났다. 벼의 생육은 초장 및 경수가 관행구 대비 적었으며 그 차이는 생육후기에 더 많이 나타났고, 벼의 수량은 관행구 대비 4% 감소하였다. 논잡초 억제 효과는 유기질 복합비료 시용구에서 60.5%로 관행구보다 낮게 나타났다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권12호
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• pp.893-905
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• 2019

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that constantly undergo fission and fusion processes that closely related to their function. Disruption of mitochondrial dynamics has been demonstrated in acute kidney injury (AKI), which could eventually result in cell injury and death. Previously, we reported that augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) alleviates renal tubular epithelial cell injury. Here, we gained further insights into whether the renoprotective roles of ALR are associated with mitochondrial dynamics. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics were examined in experimental models of renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR). In a model of hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) injury in vitro, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission process protein 1 (MTFP1), two key proteins of mitochondrial fission, were downregulated in the Lv-ALR + HR group. ALR overexpression additionally had an impact on phosphorylation of Drp1 Ser637 during AKI. The inner membrane fusion protein, Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1), was significantly increased whereas levels of outer membrane fusion proteins Mitofusin-1 and -2 (Mfn1, Mfn2) were not affected in the Lv-ALR + HR group, compared with the control group. Furthermore, the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway was highly activated in the Lv-ALR + HR group. ALR overexpression led to suppression of HR-induced apoptosis. Our collective findings indicate that ALR gene transfection alleviates mitochondrial injury, possibly through inhibiting fission and promoting fusion of the mitochondrial inner membrane, both of which contribute to reduction of HK-2 cell apoptosis. Additionally, fission processes are potentially mediated by promoting tubular cell survival through activating the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.131-136
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to compare the relative risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) in middle aged adults with different body weights. 155 subjects living in urban Beijing were recruited from 24 neighborhood committees of urban Beijing. They were divided into normal weight, overweight and obese groups according to their BMIs. The general information of the subjects was collected using an interview-administered questionnaire. Standard procedure was followed to measure subject's weight, height and waist. Biochemical parameters (total cholesterol (TC), low- and high­density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C ; HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and fasting glucose) and blood pressure were also determined. The results indicated that the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL-C of obese group was lower than that of the normal weight group. Fasting glucose of obese males was significantly higher than that of normal weight males. No significant difference of fasting glucose was found among female groups. No significant difference of TG was found among male groups, while TG of overweight and obese females was both significantly higher than normal weight females. There was no significant difference of TC and LDL-C among normal weight, overweight and obese groups in both males and females. The MS rate of obese males was significantly higher than the normal weight and overweight males, as was the female. The relative risk of MS in obese group was about 11 times higher (OR=11.249, $95\%CI$ = 3.812 - 33.191) than the normal weight group after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, drinking, family economic level and education status. It is concluded that obesity contributed to lower HDL-C, hypertriglyceride, hypertension and MS after controlling the effects of age, gender, socioeconomic status, alcohol drinking and smoking. Obese individuals have a higher risk of having MS than their normal weight counterparts.