• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of the control group and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) group among the patients who failed to respond to conservative treatment as outpatient-based therapy for rotator cuff tendinopathy, and to compare the clinical results of leukocyte-poor (LP) PRP and leukocyte-rich (LR) PRP. Methods: Inclusion criteria are (1) over 18-year-old, (2) patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy, no rotator cuff tear by radiologic diagnosis (ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging) within the last 3 months, and (3) not effective to conservative treatment for more than 1 month. Of the final 60 subjects, 33 patients in the exercise treatment group and 27 patients in the PRP injection group (LP-PRP, 13; LR-PRP, 14) were included. Clinical evaluation was carried out by assessing the outcomes of treatment using the Numeric Rating Scale pain score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score, and the Constant score at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after the procedure. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in ${\Delta}ASES_{3months}$ ($ASES_{3months}-ASES_{first}$) score between the control and PRP groups (p=0.006). However, there was no statistical significance between LP-PRP and LR-PRP groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that PRP injection was more effective than exercise therapy for the first 3 months. However, there was no difference between the LP-PRP group and the LR-PRP group. Regardless of the type of PRP, clinical application of PRP injection in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy seems to be effective in early treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.7
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• pp.355-363
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• 2021

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common renal disorder in children attributed to podocyte injury. However, children with the same diagnosis have markedly variable treatment responses, clinical courses, and outcomes, suggesting molecular heterogeneity. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the molecular responses of podocytes to nephrotic plasma to identify specific genes and signaling pathways differentiating various clinical NS groups as well as biological processes that drive injury in normal podocytes. Methods: Transcriptome profiles from immortalized human podocyte cell line exposed to the plasma of 8 subjects (steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome [SSNS], n=4; steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome [SRNS], n=2; and healthy adult individuals [control], n=2) were generated using microarray analysis. Results: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of global gene expression data was broadly correlated with the clinical classification of NS. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of diseased groups (SSNS or SRNS) versus healthy controls identified 105 genes (58 up-regulated, 47 down-regulated) in SSNS and 139 genes (78 up-regulated, 61 down-regulated) in SRNS with 55 common to SSNS and SRNS, while the rest were unique (50 in SSNS, 84 genes in SRNS). Pathway analysis of the significant (P≤0.05, -1≤ log2 FC ≥1) differentially expressed genes identified the transforming growth factor-β and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways to be involved in both SSNS and SRNS. DGE analysis of SSNS versus SRNS identified 2,350 genes with values of P≤0.05, and a heatmap of corresponding expression values of these genes in each subject showed clear differences in SSNS and SRNS. Conclusion: Our study observations indicate that, although podocyte injury follows similar pathways in different clinical subgroups, the pathways are modulated differently as evidenced by the heatmap. Such transcriptome profiling with a larger cohort can stratify patients into intrinsic subtypes and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of podocyte injury.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.161-166
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• 2021

Errors in the semiconductor process are generated by a change in the state of the equipment, and errors usually arise when the state of the equipment changes or when parts that make up the equipment have flaws. In this investigation, we anticipated that aging of the mass flow controller in the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition SiO2 thin film deposition method caused a minute flow rate shift. In seven cases, fourier transformation infrared film quality analysis of the deposited thin film was used to characterize normal and pathological processes. The plasma condition was monitored using optical emission spectrometry data as the flow rate changed during the procedure. Preprocessing was used to apply the collected OES data to the artificial immune system algorithm, which was then used to process diagnosis. Through comparisons between datasets, the learning algorithm compared classification accuracy and improved the method. It has been confirmed that data characterized as a normal process and abnormal processes with differing flow rates may be discriminated by themselves using the artificial immune system data mining method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.51-74
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• 2023

Multiple myeloma, which is a proliferative disease of plasma cells that originate from a single clone, is the second most common hematologic malignancy following non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In the past, its diagnosis was made based on clinical findings (so-called "CRAB") and a skeletal survey using radiographs. However, since the implementation of the International Myeloma Working Group's revised guideline regarding the radiologic diagnosis of multiple myeloma, whole-body (WB) MRI has emerged to play a central role in the early diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Diffusion-weighted imaging and fat quantification using Dixon methods enable treatment response assessment by MRI. In keeping with the trend, a multi-institutional and multidisciplinary consensus for standardized image acquisition and reporting known as the Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnostic System (MY-RADS) has recently been proposed. This review aims to describe the clinical application of WB-MRI based on MY-RADS in multiple myeloma, discuss its limitations, and suggest future directions for improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.150-169
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• 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant hematologic disease caused by the proliferation of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, and its incidence is increasing in Korea. With the development of treatments for MM, the need for early diagnosis and treatment has emerged. In recent years, the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) has been constantly revising the laboratory and radiological diagnostic criteria for MM. In addition, as whole-body MRI (WBMR) has been increasing used in the diagnosis and treatment response evaluation of patients with MM, the Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System (MY-RADS) was created to standardize WBMR image acquisition techniques, image interpretation, and response evaluation methods. Radiologists need to have a detailed knowledge of the features of MM for accurate diagnosis. Thus, in this review article, we describe the imaging method for MM according to the latest IMWG guidelines as well as the image acquisition and response evaluation technique for WBMR according to MY-RADS.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2011

Objectives To evaluate the drug interactions between aripiprazole and haloperidol, authors investigated plasma concentrations of those drugs by genotypes. Method Fifty six patients with a confirmed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition diagnosis of schizophrenia were enrolled in this eight-week, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty-eight patients received adjunctive aripiprazole treatment and twenty-eight patients received placebo while being maintained on haloperidol treatment. Aripiprazole was dosed at 15 mg/day for the first 4 weeks, and then 30 mg for the next 4 weeks. The haloperidol dose remained fixed throughout the study. Plasma concentrations of haloperidol and aripiprazole were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) at baseline, week 1, 2, 4 and 8. $^*1$, $^*5$, and $^*10$ B alleles of CYP2D6 and $^*1$ and $^*3$ alleles of CYP3A5 were determined. The Student's T-test, Pearson's Chi-square test, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test and Logistic Regression analysis were used for data analysis. All tests were two-tailed and significance was defined as an alpha < 0.05. Results In the frequency of CYP2D6 genotype, $^*1/^*10$ B type was most frequent (36.5%) and $^*1/^*1$ (30.8%), $^*10B/^*10B$ (17.3%) types followed. In the frequency of CYP3A5 genotype, $^*3/^*3$ type was found in 63.5% of subjects, and $^*1/^*3$ type and $^*1/^*1$ were 30.8% and 5.8% respectively. The plasma levels of haloperidol and its metabolites did not demonstrate significant time effects and time-group interactions after adjunctive treatment of aripiprazole. The genotypes of CYP2D6 and 3A5 did not affect the plasma concentration of haloperidol in this trial. No serious adverse event was found after adding aripiprazole to haloperidol. Conclusion No significant drug interaction was found between haloperidol and aripiprazole. Genotypes of CYP2D6 and 3A5 did not affect the concentration of haloperidol after adding aripiprazole.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2020

Objective: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. But, the adverse effects of oxidative biomarkers on sperm quality remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the levels of nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxydesoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) oxidative biomarkers in seminal plasma and their relationship with sperm parameters. Methods: A total of 77 volunteers participated in the study, including fertile (n = 40) and infertile men (n = 37). NO, 8-OHdG, and TAC levels were measured using the ferric reducing ability of plasma, Griess reagent method and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, respectively. Results: The mean values of sperm parameters in the infertile group were significantly lower than those in the fertile group (p< 0.001). The mean 8-OHdG in the seminal plasma of infertile men was significantly higher (p= 0.013) than those of controls, while the mean TAC was significantly lower (p= 0.046). There was no significant difference in NO level between the two groups. The elevated seminal 8-OHdG levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p< 0.001, p= 0.001 and p= 0.052, respectively). NO levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p= 0.014, p= 0.020 and p= 0.060, respectively). Positive correlations between TAC and both sperm count and morphology (p= 0.043 and p= 0.025, respectively) were also found. Conclusion: These results suggested that increased levels of NO and 8-OHdG in seminal plasma could have a negative effect on sperm function by inducing damage to the sperm DNA hence their fertility potentials. Therefore, these biomarkers can be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2018

Objective: Prompt diagnosis and management are essential for saving the adnexal organs from infarction in cases of ovarian torsion (OT). This study aimed to determine the diagnostic significance of signal peptide, complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1 (CUB), and epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein-1 (SCUBE-1) levels in cases of OT, an emergent ischemic condition, and the relationship of SCUBE-1 with oxidative stress parameters. Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 15 OT patients and 20 age- and gravidity-matched healthy women. SCUBE-1 serum concentrations were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In addition, oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and glutathione (GSH). Results: The SCUBE-1 titers were significantly higher in the patients with OT than in the controls (p=0.008). In addition, serum FRAP and GSH levels were significantly lower in the OT patients than in the controls (p<0.001 for both). Serum AOPP levels were higher in the OT patients, but this trend was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Furthermore, there were no correlations between SCUBE-1 levels and age, gravidity, parity, cyst size, and AOPP, FRAP, or GSH levels (p>0.05). Conclusion: We believe that SCUBE-1 may be a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of OT.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2012

In this study, multiparametric flow cytometry (FCM) was installed to enumerate the diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 and Escherichia coli K12 (IFO 3301). The nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) were double stained by a LIVE/DEAD bacLight viability kit, involving green SYTO 9 and red propidium iodide (PI), based on the permeability of two chemicals according to the integrity of plasma membrane. As the results showed, the gate for dead bacteria was defined as the range of $0.2{\times}10^0$ to $6.0{\times}10^1$ photo multiplier tube (PMT) 2 fluorescence (X-axis) and $2.0{\times}10^0$ to $2.0{\times}10^2$ PMT 4 fluorescence (Y-axis), and the gate for live bacteria was defined as the range of $6.0{\times}10^0$ to $6.0{\times}10^2$ PMT 2 fluorescence (X-axis) and $2.0{\times}10^0$ to $4.0{\times}10^2$ PMT 4 fluorescence (Y-axis). In the comparison of the number of the tested bacteria detected by FCM (viability assessment) and plate culture (cultivability assessment), the number of bacteria detected by FCM well represented the number of bacteria that was detected by the colony forming unit (CFU) counting method when bacteria were exposed to isopropyl alcohol and silver/copper cations. Consequently, it is concluded that the application of FCM to monitor the functional effect of disinfectants on the physiological status of target bacteria can offer more rapid and reliable data than the plate culture colony counting method.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1999

To evaluate the usefulness of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1 (TGF-$\beta$1) as a new tumor marker, we determined the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels using sandwich ELISA assay in cancer patients. Patients with three most common adult cancers in Korea (stomach, liver and breast cancer) and children's cancers (leukemia and two kinds of solid tumor) were enrolled for the study. Furthermore, 39 individuals were subjected to age and sex-stratified plasma TGF-$\beta$1 analysis. No statistical difference was demonstrated with respect to age or sex. The mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 level (16.0 ng/ ml) of stomach cancer patients was significantly higher than that (8.3 ng/ml) of controls. However, there was no difference among the mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of liver, breast cancer patients and controls. Seven of 16 patients (43.7%) with stomach cancer, one of 8 (12.5%) with liver cancer, and one of 7 (14.3%) with breast cancer showed higher TGF-$\beta$1 levels compared to controls. Plasma TGF-$\beta$1 concentrations of five leukemic children remained in the normal range regardless of the remission state. In contrast, initial high TGF-$\beta$1 levels from two children with solid tumors returned to normal range on surgical resection of tumors. From the above results, we could conclude that plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of apparently healthy individuals seem to be rather constant irrespective of difference in age or sex, and the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 has the limited value as a screening test for the diagnosis of aforementioned adult cancers because of its low sensitivity. Finally, additional studies need to be pursed for the large number of stomach cancer and pediatric solid tumor patients in order to reach a secure conclusion on the usefulness of plasma TGF-$\beta$1 as a tumor marker in these patients.