• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.492-501
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of self-reported cigarette smoking status and investigate factors associated with the accuracy self-reported and measured urinary cotinine in Korean adults. Methods: We used data from the $1^{st}$ Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2009-2011) among adults aged ${\geq}19$ years (N=6,246). The survey examined self-reported smoking status, and urinary cotinine was regarded as the biomarker of exposure to tobacco smoke. Urinary cotinine was analyzed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 20.0, which uses the sample weight and calculates variance estimates to adjust for the unequal probability of selection into the survey. Results: We calculated a cut-off point (53.3 ug/L) by using a ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve. The smoking prevalence was 24.6% based on self-reported data and 28.2% based on urinary cotinine concentrations. When we assessed the agreement between self-reported and urinary cotinine, we found an average agreement of 97.7% among self-reported smokers and 94.5% among self-reported non-smokers. Among self-reported smokers, factors affected the discrepancy were age, household economic status and average number of cigarettes smoked per day. On the other hand, gender, former smoking experience, and exposure to SHS (second hand smoke) were associated with discrepancies among self-reported non-smokers. Conclusion: These results suggest that self-reported data on smoking status provide a valid estimate of actual smoking status. In future research, we will conduct a continuous monitoring study for reliability verification of the data to reduce potential interpretation errors.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2006

Background: The DR-$70^{TM}$ immunoassay is a newly developed cancer diagnostic test which quantifies the serum fibrin degradation products (FDP), produced during fibrinolysis, by antibody reaction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of DR-$70^{TM}$ Immunoassay in screening malignant tumor. Methods: Sample subjects were 4,169 adults, both male and female, who visited the health promotion center of a general hospital from March 2004 to April 2005 and underwent the DR-$70^{TM}$ immunoassay test and other tests for cancer diagnosis. The patient group was defined as 42 adults out of the sample subjects who were newly diagnosed with cancer during the same time period when the DR-$70^{TM}$ immunoassay test was performed. Final confirmation of a malignant tumor was made by pathological analysis. Results: The mean DR-$70^{TM}$ level was $0.83{\pm}0.65{\mu}g/ml$ (range: 0.00 (0.0001)${\sim}7.42{\mu}g/ml)$ in the control group (n=4,127) as opposed to $2.70{\pm}2.33{\mu}g/ml$ (range: $0.12{\sim}9.30{\mu}g/ml)$ in the cancer group (n=42), and statistical significance was established (p<0.0001, Student t-test). When categorized by the type of malignant tumor, all cancer patients with the exception of the subgroups of colon and rectal cancer showed significantly higher mean DR-$70^{TM}$ levels compared with the control group (p<0.0001, Kruscal-Wallis test). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed ${\geq}1.091{\mu}g/ml$ as the best cut-off value. Using this cut-off value, the DR-$70^{TM}$ immunoassay produced a sensitivity of 71.4%, a specificity of 70.1%, a positive predictability of 69.4%, and a negative predictability of 69.2% (1). Conclusion: A significant increase in the mean DR-$70^{TM}$ value was observed in the cancer group (thyroidal, gastric, breast, hepatic and ovarian) com pared with the control group. In particular, the specificity and sensitivity of the DR-$70^{TM}$ immunoassay was relatively high in the subgroups of breast, gastric, and thyroidal cancer patients. There is need for further studies on a large number of malignant tumor patients to see how the DR-$70^{TM}$ level might be changed according to the differentiation grade and postoperative prognosis of the malignant tumor.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.318-329
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• 2013

This paper proposes a DNA watermarking method for the privacy protection and the prevention of illegal copy. The proposed method allocates codons to random circular angles by using random mapping table and selects triplet codons for embedding target with the help of the Lipschitz regularity value of local modulus maxima of codon circular angles. Then the watermark is embedded into circular angles of triplet codons without changing the codes of amino acids in a DNA. The length and location of target triplet codons depend on the random mapping table for 64 codons that includes start and stop codons. This table is used as the watermark key and can be applied on any codon sequence regardless of the length of sequence. If this table is unknown, it is very difficult to detect the length and location of them for extracting the watermark. We evaluated our method and DNA-crypt watermarking of Heider method on the condition of similar capacity. From evaluation results, we verified that our method has lower base changing rate than DNA-crypt and has lower bit error rate on point mutation and insertions/deletions than DNA-crypt. Furthermore, we verified that the entropy of random mapping table and the locaton of triplet codons is high, meaning that the watermark security has high level.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.39-42
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• 2009

Soybean is an important sources of plant proteins for human and animal nutrition. The use of soybean proteins has been expanded in the food industry due to their excellent nutritional benefits. But, Soybeans contain allergenic proteins that cause allergies to sensitive individuals. ${\beta}$-conglycinin(7S globulin) and glycinin(11S globulin) are the major components of storage protein in soybean. ${\beta}$-conglycinin consists of three subunits, ${\alpha}^{\prime}$, ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$ and exhibits poorer nutritional and food processing properties than glycinin. There is a great deal of interest in the development of soybean lines with reduced amounts of ${\beta}$-conglycinin. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance of ${\alpha}^{\prime}$-subunit protein in 7S globulin. F2 population was developed from the cross of "Jinpumkong2ho"(${\alpha}^{\prime}$-subunit presence) and PI506876(${\alpha}^{\prime}$-subunit absence) parent. Total 98 of F2 seeds were obtained and analyzed for the segregation of ${\alpha}^{\prime}$-subunit protein by SDS-PAGE. Among 98 F2 seeds, 70 F2 seeds showed ${\alpha}^{\prime}$-subunit protein and 28 F2 seeds did not show ${\alpha}^{\prime}$-subunit protein. The segregation ratios of 3 : 1 for presence and absence of ${\alpha}^{\prime}$-subunit protein were observed(${\chi}^2=0.667$, P=0.414). These data indicate that presence and absence of ${\alpha}^{\prime}$-subunit protein is controlled by a single major gene and might be useful for strain selection of 7S protein reduced soybean.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.29-33
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• 2010

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seed is the main source of protein and oil for human and animal. The use of soybean protein has been expanded in the food industry due to their excellent nutritional benefits. But, antinutritional and allergenic factors are exist in the raw mature soybean. Lipoxygenase, Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) protein, and ${\alpha}^{\prime}-subunit$ of 7S globulin are main antinutritional factors in soybean seed. Breeding of a new soybean strain with lacking these components is needed. The objective of this research was to select new soybean line with lipoxygenase-free, KTI-free, and ${\alpha}^{\prime}-subunit$ free (lx1lx1lx2lx2lx3lx3titicgy1cgy1 genotype). Total 434 $F_2$seeds were obtained from the cross of cultivar, "Gaechuck#2" and PI506876. Presence and absence of lipoxygenase, KTI protein, and ${\alpha}^{\prime}-subunit$ of 7S globulin was tested by SDS electrophoresis using a partial seed of each $F_2$seed. Only one $F_2$seed with lacking these three components was selected and was planted to $F_2$plant. Absence of lipoxygenase, KTI, and ${\alpha}^{\prime}-subunit$ protein was confirmed on the $F_3$seeds harvested. Selected line with lx1lx1lx2lx2lx3lx3titicgy1cgy1 genotype might be useful for soybean breeding.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.61-89
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• 2020

The objective of this study is to characterize landslide susceptibility depending on various geo-environmental variables as well as to compare the Frequency Ratio (FR) and Evidential Belief Function (EBF) methods for landslide susceptibility analysis of rainfall-induced landslides. In 2013, a total of 259 landslides occurred in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea, due to heavy rainfall events with a total cumulative rainfall of 296~721mm in 106~231 hours duration. Landslides data were mapped with better accuracy using the geographic information system (ArcGIS 10.6 version) based on the historic landslide records in Chuncheon from the National Disaster Management System (NDMS), the 2013 landslide investigation report, orthographic images, and aerial photographs. Then the landslides were randomly split into a testing dataset (70%; 181 landslides) and validation dataset (30%; 78 landslides). First, geo-environmental variables were analyzed by using FR and EBF functions for the full data. The most significant factors related to landslides were altitude (100~200m), slope (15~25°), concave plan curvature, high SPI, young timber age, loose timber density, small timber diameter, artificial forests, coniferous forests, soil depth (50~100cm), very well-drained area, sandy loam soil and so on. Second, the landslide susceptibility index was calculated by using selected geo-environmental variables. The model fit and prediction performance were evaluated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and the Area Under Curve (AUC) methods. The AUC values of both model fit and prediction performance were 80.5% and 76.3% for FR and 76.6% and 74.9% for EBF respectively. However, the landslide susceptibility index, with classes of 'very high' and 'high', was detected by 73.1% of landslides in the EBF model rather than the FR model (66.7%). Therefore, the EBF can be a promising method for spatial prediction of landslide occurrence, while the FR is still a powerful method for the landslide susceptibility mapping.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.120-132
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• 2014

Purpose : To compare dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for the differentiation of tumor recurrence and delayed radiation therapy (RT)-related changes in patients treated with RT for primary brain tumors. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 24 patients treated with RT for various primary brain tumors, who showed newly appearing enhancing lesions more than one year after completion of RT on follow-up MRI. The enhancing-lesions were confirmed as recurrences (n=14) or RT-changes (n=10). We calculated the mean values of normalized cerebral blood volume (nCBV), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and proportion of dark signal intensity on SWI (proSWI) for the enhancing-lesions. All the values between the two groups were compared using t-test. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the best predictor of differential diagnosis. The cutoff value of the best predictor obtained from receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis. Results: The mean nCBV value was significantly higher in the recurrence group than in the RT-change group (P=.004), and the mean proSWI was significantly lower in the recurrence group (P<.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the mean ADC values between the two groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that proSWI was the only independent variable for the differentiation; the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 78.6% (11 of 14), 100% (10 of 10), and 87.5% (21 of 24), respectively. Conclusion: The proSWI was the most promising parameter for the differentiation of newly developed enhancing-lesions more than one year after RT completion in brain tumor patients.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.160-166
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• 2014

This study was aimed at looking into the distribution status and age structure of Abies holophylla population in Sudo-Am temple forest. It was found that a total of 302 individuals of Abies holophylla existed which were more than 2m in height within the study area. Furthermore the population size is one of the largest in the southern region of Korea. The CBH of Abies holophylla ranged from 1.5 cm to 500.8 cm. Age structure of Abies holophylla looks like a gourd-shaped bottle. This means that they have an unstable structure status and do not survive very long. This status results from a variety of factors including, vegetation succession, anthropogenic activities, and global warming. The environmental characteristics of Abies holophylla population was $931{\pm}64.5m$ in mean altitude, $19.2{\pm}8.7^{\circ}$ in mean slope in the northeastern and southeastern area of the slope direction, and $1,324,323{\pm}174,459wh\;m^{-2}$ in average of direct normal irradiation. Among the site environmental factors, the significant ones which influence the potential habitat for Abies holophylla distribution were chosen using the MaxEnt model. According to the results of this study, altitude and slope were found as the important factors. The average value of environmental conditions by ROC analysis were altitude 903.2 m, slope $20.04^{\circ}$, irradiation $1,352.248wh\;m^{-2}$, and the southeastern aspect.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2007

Background: Many diagnostic approaches for defining the definitive cause of pleurisy should be included due to the large variety of diseases resulting in pleural effusion. Although ADA is a useful diagnostic tool for making a differential diagnosis of pleural effusion, particularly for tuberculous pleural effusion, a definitive diagnostic cut-off value remains problematic in Korea. It was hypothesized that ADA multiplied by the Lymphocyte/Neutrophil ratio(L/N ratio) might be more powerful for making a differential diagnosis of pleural effusion. Methods: One hundred and ninety patients, who underwent thoracentesis and treatment in Chung-Ang University Hospital from January, 2005 through to February 2006, were evaluated. The clinical characteristics, radiologic data and the examination of the pleural effusion were analyzed retrospectively. Results: 1. Among the 190 patients, 59 patients (31.1%) were diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy, 45 patients(23.7%) with parapneumonic effusion, 42 patients(22.1%) with malignant effusions, 36 patients(18.9%) with transudate, and 8 patients(4.2%) with empyema. One hundred and twenty one patients were found to have an ADA activity of 1 to 39 IU/L(63.7%). Twenty-nine were found to have an ADA activity of 40 to 75 IU/L(15.3%) and 40 were found to have an ADA activity of 75 IU/L or greater(21.0%). 2. Among the patients with tuberculous pleurisy, 5(8%), 18(30%) and 36 patients(60%) had an ADA activity ranging from 1 to 39 IU/L, 40 to 75 IU/L, and 75 IU/L or greater, respectively. In those with an ADA activitiy 40 to 75 IU/L, 18 patients(62%) had tuberculous pleurisy, 9(31%) had parapneumonic effusion and empyema, and 1(3.4%) had a malignant effusion. 3. In those with an ADA activity of 40 to 75 IU/L, there was no significant difference between tuberculous pleurisy and non-tuberculous pleural effusion(tuberculous pleurisy : 61.3 ${\pm}$ 9.2 IU/L, non-tuberculous pleural effusion : 53.3${\pm}$10.5 IU/L). 4. The mean L/N ratio of those with tuberculous pleurisy was 39.1 ${\pm}$ 44.6, which was significantly higher than nontuberculous pleural effusion patients (p<0.05). The mean ADA x L/N ratio of the tuberculous pleurisy patients was 2,445.7 ${\pm}$ 2,818.5, which was significantly higher than the non-tuberculous pleural effusion patients (level p<0.05). 5. ROC analysis showed that the ADA x L/N ratio had a higher diagnostic value than the ADA alone in the group with an ADA between 40-75 IU/L. Conclusion: The ADA multiplied by the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio might provide a more definitive diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2008

Purpose: Although automatic quantification software of myocardial perfusion SPECT provides highly objective and reproducible quantitative measurements, there is still some limitation in the direct use of quantitative measurements. In this study we derived parameters using normal variation of perfusion measurements, and tried to test the usefulness of these parameters. Materials and Methods: In order to calculate normal variation of perfusion measurements on myocardial perfusion SPECT, 55 patients (M:F = 28:27) of low-likelihood for coronary artery disease were enrolled and $^{201}TI$ rest/$^{99m}Tc$-MIBI stress SPECT studies were performed. Using 20-segment model, mean (m) and standard deviation (SD) of perfusion were calculated in each segment. As a myocardial viability assessment group, another 48 patients with known coronary artery disease, who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) were enrolled. $^{201}TI$ rest/$^{99m}Tc$-MIBI stress / $^{201}TI$ 24-hr delayed SPECT was performed before CABG and SPECT was followed up 3 months after CABG. From the preoperative 24-hr delayed SPECT, $Q_{delay}$ (perfusion measurement), ${\Delta}_{delay}$ ($Q_{delay}$ - m) and $Z_{delay}$ (($Q_{delay}$ - m)/SD) were defined and diagnostic performances of them for myocardial viability were evaluated using area under curve (AUC) on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Segmental perfusion measurements showed considerable normal variations among segments. In men, the lowest segmental perfusion measurement was $51.8{\pm}6.5$ and the highest segmental perfusion was $87.0{\pm}5.9$, and they are $58.7{\pm}8.1$ and $87.3{\pm}6.0$, respectively in women. In the viability assessment $Q_{delay}$ showed AUC of 0.633, while those for ${\Delta}_{delay}$ and $Z_{delay}$ were 0.735 and 0.716, respectively. The AUCs of ${\Delta}_{delay}$ and $Z_{delay}$ were significantly higher than that of $Q_{delay}$ (p = 0.001 and 0.018, respectively). The diagnostic performance of ${\Delta}_{delay}$, which showed highest AUC, was 85% of sensitivity and 53% of specificity at the optimal cutoff of -24.7. Conclusion: On automatic quantification of myocardial perfusion SPECT, the normal variation of perfusion measurements were considerable among segments. In the viability assessment, the parameters considering normal variation showed better diagnostic performance than the direct perfusion measurement. This study suggests that consideration of normal variation is important in the analysis of measurements on quantitative myocardial perfusion SPECT.