• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권7호
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• pp.3261-3265
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• 2014

Background: To evaluate serum VEGF-A levels in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) patients and relationships with response to therapy. Materials and Methods: Serum VEGF-A levels in patients (n=72) treated with radiotherapy (RT) or radio-chemotherapy (RCT) and controls (n=40) were measured by ELISA. Results: Serum VEGF-A levels of the SCCHN cases were significantly higher (p=0.001) than in healthy controls, and in patients with positive as compared to negative lymph node status (p=0.004). Similarly, patients with advanced stage (Stage III-IV) disease had more greatly elevated levels of serum VEGF-A level than their early stage (Stage I-II) counterparts (p=0.001). In contrast, there was no significant difference (p=0.57) in serum level of VEGF-A in patients with advanced T-stage (T3-4) as compared to early stage (T1-2). Similarly, patients with distant metastasis had no significant (p=0.067) elevation in serum VEGF-A level as compared to non-metastatic disease. However, the non-responder patients had significantly higher serum VEGF-A level as compared to responders (p=0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the serum VEGF-A level may be a useful biomarker for the prediction of response to therapy in SCCHN.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.228-232
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pretreatment with transdermal estradiol ($E_2$) compared to oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) response in normal responders undergoing fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) cycles. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of normal responders undergoing fresh IVF-ET cycles who received pretreatment with transdermal $E_2$ versus OCPs prior to fresh IVF-ET. The total days of ovarian stimulation, total dosage of gonadotropins, total number of oocytes, and mature oocytes retrieved were noted. Pregnancy outcomes after ET were also recorded. Results: A total of 2,092 patients met the inclusion criteria: 1,057 and 1,035 patients in the transdermal $E_2$ and OCP groups, respectively. Patients in the OCP group had a longer duration of COS ($10.7{\pm}1.63days$, p< 0.01) than the $E_2$ group ($9.92{\pm}1.94days$). Patients in the OCP group also required higher cumulative doses of gonadotropins ($2,657.3{\pm}1,187.9IU$) than those in the $E_2$ group ($2,550.1{\pm}1,270.2IU$, p= 0.002). No statistically significant differences were found in the total and mature oocytes retrieved or in the rates of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage, and live birth between the groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that compared to OCPs, pretreatment with transdermal $E_2$ is associated with a shorter duration of ovarian stimulation and lower gonadotropin utilization, without compromising the oocyte yield or pregnancy outcomes in normal-responder patients undergoing fresh IVF.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.244-256
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the level of depression and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and health related characteristics, job-related characteristics, sleep quality, occupational stress among manufacturing male immigrant worker in Korea. Methods: Total number of subject were 287 workers employed in 19 manufacturing industry. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to assess each responder's sociodemographic and health related characteristics, job-related characteristics, sleep quality (PSQI), Korean occupational stress (KOSS), Depression (CES-D). The job stress questionna ire was used according to KOSS-26 and depression symptoms were measured using CES-D, which was translated into Korean. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between risk factors included job stress, sleep quality and depression. Results: The prevalence of depression in survey subjects was 63.9%and poor group (PSQI) (5 point and over at PSQI score)among all subjects were 83.28%. Adjusting for confounding factor, higher the occupational stress (KOSS), depression levels were significantly higher (${\beta}=0.5575$), worse quality of sleep, the more depressed the level was slightly high ${\beta}=0.118$) did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the study subjects was higher than that among the Korean workers. Especially, the level of depression was more influenced by occupational stress than quality of sleep. Therefore, the author recommend to prepare the effective strategy for reducing the depression and also reducing the occupational stress among immigrant male workers, and the author consider that it need to support the convenient working environment such as consultation for difficulty or health care among immigrant male workers.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제62권7호
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• pp.269-273
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• 2019

Purpose: There is limited data on the use of perampanel in children under 12 years of age. We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive perampanel treatment in children under 12 years of age with refractory epilepsy. Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed in Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 2016 to March 2018. A responder was defined as a patient with ${\geq}50%$ reduction in monthly seizure frequency compared with the baseline. Adverse events and discontinuation data were obtained to evaluate tolerability. Results: Twenty-two patients (8 males, 14 females) aged 3.1-11.4 years (mean, $8.0{\pm}2.5years$) were included in this study. After an average of 9.2 months (range, 0.5-19 months) of follow-up, 15 patients (68%) showed a reduction in seizure frequency, including 5 patients (23%) with seizure freedom. The age at epilepsy onset was significantly lower (P=0.048), and the duration of epilepsy was significantly longer (P=0.019) in responders than in nonresponders. Nine patients (41%) experienced adverse events, including somnolence (23%), respiratory depression (9%), violence (4.5%), and seizure aggravation (4.5%). The most serious adverse event was respiratory depression, which required mechanical ventilation in 2 patients (9%). Eight patients (36%) discontinued perampanel due to lack of efficacy or adverse events. Three out of 4 patients (75%) who discontinued perampanel due to adverse events had an underlying medical condition. Conclusion: Perampanel offers a treatment option for refractory epilepsy in children. Adjunctive treatment with perampanel requires special consideration in those with underlying medical conditions to prevent serious adverse events.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.135-141
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• 2022

Objective: This study investigated the impact of two stimulation protocols using highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin (HP-hMG) on the endocrine profile, follicular fluid soluble Fas levels, and outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: This prospective clinical trial included 100 normal-responder women undergoing ovarian stimulation for ICSI; 55 patients received concomitant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plus HP-hMG from the start of stimulation, while 45 patients received FSH followed by HP-hMG during mid/late follicular stimulation. The primary outcome was the number of top-quality embryos. The secondary outcomes were the number and percentage of metaphase II (MII) oocytes and the clinical pregnancy rate. Results: The number of MII oocytes was significantly higher in the concomitant protocol (median, 13.0; interquartile range [IQR], 8.5-18.0 vs. 9.0 [8.0-13.0] in the consecutive protocol; p=0.009); however, the percentage of MII oocytes and the fertilization rate were significantly higher in the consecutive protocol (median, 90.91; IQR, 80.0-100.0 vs. 83.33 [75.0-93.8]; p=0.034 and median, 86.67; IQR, 76.9-100.0 vs. 77.78 [66.7-89.9]; p=0.028, respectively). No significant between-group differences were found in top-quality embryos (p=0.693) or the clinical pregnancy rate (65.9% vs. 61.8% in the consecutive vs. concomitant protocol, respectively). The median follicular fluid soluble Fas antigen level was significantly higher in the concomitant protocol (9,731.0 pg/mL; IQR, 6,004.5-10,807.6 vs. 6,350.2 pg/mL; IQR, 4,382.4-9,418.4; p=0.021). Conclusion: Personalized controlled ovarian stimulation using HP-hMG during the late follicular phase led to a significantly lower response, but did not affect the quality of ICSI.

• 한국정보통신학회논문지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.62-68
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• 2023

무인항공기 또는 드론(UAV or Drone)을 활용한 공중 통신중계기는 재난피해 지역, 군 작전 지역, 응급상황 발생 시 등의 임시 통신 서비스 지원에 활용되고 있다. 무인항공기를 활용한 공중 통신중계기는 원격 사용자 또는 임무 수행자에게 안정적인 통신 서비스를 제공하는 것을 목표로 하므로 최소 성능 요구사항을 보장하는 빠른 무인항공기의 배치가 중요하다. 무인항공기를 통신 시스템에서 활용하는 연구에서는 통신 성능을 극대화하는 무인항공기의 최적위치를 찾는 연구가 대부분이나, 위급상황 시에는 최적 위치보다는 무인항공기 배치 가능 영역을 빠르게 도출하고 통신 지원을 위한 빠른 배치가 더 중요하다. 본 논문에서는 무인항공기를 공중 통신중계기로 활용 시 각 상황에 따라 요구되는 통신 성능을 보장하는 무인항공기 배치 가능 영역을 도출하고, 이론적 분석을 통해 얻은 결과를 시뮬레이션 완전 탐색을 통해 검증하고자 한다.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.375-387
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• 2022

One of the latest teaching strategies is smart classroom teaching. Teaching is carried out with the assistance of smart teaching technologies to improve teacher-student contact, increase students' learning autonomy, and give fresh ideas for the fulfillment of students' deep learning. Computer-based technology has improved students' language learning and significantly motivating them to continue learning while also stimulating their creativity and enthusiasm. However, the difficulties and barriers that many EFL instructors are faced on seeking to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into their instruction have raised discussions and concerns regarding ICT's real worth in the language classroom. This is a case study that includes observations in the classroom, field notes, interviews, and written materials. In EFL classrooms, both computer-based and non-computer-based activities were recorded and analyzed. The main instrument in this study was a survey questionnaire comprising 43 items, which was used to examine the efficiency of ICT integration in teaching and learning in public schools in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 101 questionnaires were delivered, while each responder being requested to read the statements provided. The total number of respondents for this study was 101 teachers from Kuala Lumpur's public secondary schools. The questionnaire was randomly distributed to respondents with a teaching background. This study indicated the accuracy of utilizing Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) in analyzing the survey results and potential for students to learn English as a foreign language using computers. Also, the usage of foreign language may be improved if real computer-based activities are introduced into the lesson.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.319-327
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• 2023

Purpose: Patients with hematological malignancies are at an increased risk of severe infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, developing an adequate immune response after vaccination is difficult, especially in patients with lymphoid neoplasms. Since the long-term effects of the BNT162b2 vaccine are unclear, the humoral immune response 5 months after the two vaccinations in patients with hematological disorders was analyzed. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from 96 patients vaccinated twice with BNT162b2 and treated with at least one line of an antitumor or immunosuppressive drug in our hospital from November 2021 to February 2022. Serum anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) antibody titers were analyzed. Patients were age- and sex-matched using propensity matching and compared with a healthy control group. Patients with serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies were defined as 'responder' if >50 U/mL. The patients had B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), multiple myeloma, chronic myeloid leukemia, etc. Results: Patients had significantly low antibody levels (median, 55.3 U/mL vs. 809.8 U/mL; p<0.001) and a significantly low response rate (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with B-NHL, aged >72 years, were associated with a low response to vaccination. There were no significant differences between patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and healthy controls. Conclusion: Our study shows that patients with hematological disorders are at risk of developing severe COVID-19 infections because of low responsiveness to vaccination. Moreover, the rate of antibody positivity differed between the disease groups. Further studies are warranted to determine an appropriate preventive method for these patients, especially those with B-NHL.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.37.1-37.11
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• 2023

Forkhead box P3-positive (Foxp3⁺)-inducible Tregs (iTregs) are readily generated by TGF-β1 at low TCR signaling intensity. TGF-β1-mediated Foxp3 expression is further enhanced by retinoic acid (RA) and lactoferrin (LF). However, the intensity of TCR signaling required for induction of Foxp3 expression by TGF-β1 in combination with RA and LF is unknown. Here, we found that either RA or LF alone decreased TGF-β1-mediated Foxp3 expression at low TCR signaling intensity. In contrast, at high TCR signaling intensity, the addition of either RA or LF strongly increased TGF-β1-mediated Foxp3 expression. Moreover, decreased CD28 stimulation was more favorable for TGF-β1/LF-mediated Foxp3 expression. Lastly, we found that at high signaling intensities of both TCR and CD28, combined treatment with TGF-β1, RA, and LF induced robust expression of Foxp3, in parallel with powerful suppressive activity against responder T cell proliferation. Our findings that TGFβ/RA/LF strongly generate high affinity Ag-specific iTreg population would be useful for the control of unwanted hypersensitive immune reactions such as various autoimmune diseases.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.299-304
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• 2013

닭에서 기도 상피세포는 호흡기 관련 질병 연구에 있어 제한된 외부 환경 및 조건하에 동물 생체 외 실험을 진행할 수 있다는 점에서 중요한 연구재료로써 이용될 수 있다. 최근에 쥐, 인간, 햄스터 등에서 상피세포의 1차 배양 방법이 확립되었으며, 닭에서도 초기 바이러스 감염 경로 기관에 대한 병독성을 진단하고, 감염 메커니즘을 규명하기 위해서 기도 상피세포 배양 방법의 확립이 절실히 요구되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 20일령 병아리의 기도 내 상피세포층에서 기도 상피세포를 분리하였으며, 분리된 기도 상피세포의 1차 배양을 수행하였을 때 전형적인 기도 상피세포의 형태인 섬모를 관찰할 수 있었고, 15일에서 20일 이상 배양 시에도 그 형태를 유지할 수 있다는 사실을 확인하였다. 또한 상피세포 마커 유전자(retinoic acid responder, FGF-binding protein, virus activating protease(VAP))를 이용하여 배양된 기도 상피세포에서 기도 상피세포 특이적인 유전자가 섬유아세포주에 비하여 높게 발현한다는 사실을 확인하였다. 마지막으로 1차 배양된 기도 상피세포의 ND 바이러스 감수성을 알아보기 위하여 각각 0.1 MOI와 1 MOI의 ND 바이러스를 1차 배양된 기도 상피세포에 체외 감염시켰을 때, 12.6%와 48.2%의 감염율을 보였다. 또한 섬유아세포주에 1 MOI의 ND 바이러스를 감염시켰을 때 13.5% 감열율을 보여, 1차 배양된 기도 상피세포가 ND 바이러스에 3배 이상 높은 바이러스 감수성을 나타내는 결과를 확인하였다. 그러므로 본 연구는 향후 닭에서 바이러스성 호흡기 질환의 감염 경로 및 메커니즘을 연구하고, 나아가 질병의 예방 및 치료에 있어서 중요한 기초자료로써 이용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.