• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.335-351
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• 2021

Purpose: An underlying factor for the failure of several clinical trials of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies is the lack of an effective method to identify patients who overexpress EGFR protein. The quantitative dot blot method (QDB) was used to measure EGFR protein levels objectively, absolutely, and quantitatively. Its feasibility was evaluated for the prognosis of overall survival (OS) of patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Slices of 2×5 ㎛ from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric cancer specimens were used to extract total tissue lysates for QDB measurement. Absolutely quantitated EGFR protein levels were used for the Kaplan-Meier OS analysis. Results: EGFR protein levels ranged from 0 to 772.6 pmol/g (n=246) for all gastric cancer patients. A poor correlation was observed between quantitated EGFR levels and immunohistochemistry scores with ρ=0.024 and P=0.717 in Spearman's correlation analysis. EGFR was identified as an independent negative prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer patients only through absolute quantitation, with a hazard ratio of 1.92 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.53; P=0.034) in multivariate Cox regression OS analysis. A cutoff of 208 pmol/g was proposed to stratify patients with a 3-year survival probability of 44% for patients with EGFR levels above the cutoff versus 68% for those below the cutoff based on Kaplan-Meier OS analysis (log rank test, P=0.002). Conclusions: A QDB-based assay was developed for gastric cancer specimens to measure EGFR protein levels absolutely, quantitatively, and objectively. This assay should facilitate clinical trials aimed at evaluation of anti-EGFR therapies retrospectively and prospectively for gastric cancer.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.434-445
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between a mother's diagnosis of cervical cancer and attitudes toward cervical cancer prevention in their daughters. Their intention to recommend human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for their daughters, their confidence in 8 methods for cervical cancer prevention with their daughters, and their negative emotions about the assumption of their daughter's HPV infection. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data from the study of maternal health beliefs about preventing cervical cancer. The study sample were women who reported whether ever diagnosed with cervical cancer, who had pubertal daughters (n=1,578). Data were analyzed by cross-tabulation analysis, Spearman's rank correlation analysis, and logistic regression. Results: Mothers diagnosed with cervical cancer were more confident in using methods to prevent cervical cancer in their daughters (Z=-4.42, p<.001) and were more likely to feel negative emotions about the assumption of their daughters' HPV infection (Z=-2.44, p=.015) than mothers who were not diagnosed. Significant factors influencing their intention to recommend the HPV vaccination to their daughters were the mother's confidence in preventing cervical cancer in their daughters (odds ratio [OR], 1.003; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.004) and their negative emotions about the assumption of their daughters' HPV infection (OR,1.016; 95% CI, 1.004-1.028). Conclusion: For the early prevention of cervical cancer in pubertal daughters, the education of their mothers should include interventions to increase confidence in preventing cervical cancer in their daughters and sensitivity of HPV infection toward daughters.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2013

Objectives: This study assessed the status of domestic industrial hygiene laboratories using data from on-site investigation for revision of quality control systems in 2012-2013. Methods: The target laboratories were 60 industrial hygiene laboratories chosen by random selection and nationwide distribution which had participated in on-site investigations for revision of quality control systems from March 2012 to August 2013. The investigation was performed on-site following standard quality control procedures. The score between each group was compared using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and the correlation between analytical career, sex, academic major of analyst and score of analytical performance was expressed as Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: The assessment revealed that the items to be improved, in sequence, were effort at staff training (score 65.5), ability to calculate data (score 73.4), establishment of internal quality control guidelines (score 75.7), laboratory facilities (score 77.1), degree of understanding and skill at gas chromatography (score 77.1). Analysis performance showed a positive correlation with career of analyst (r=0.56, p<0.01). Conclusions: The practice of on-site investigation for quality control systems showed the current status of industrial hygiene laboratories in the first trial. There were many laboratories which needed improvement and development of analytical systems. This assessment can provide information for the systematic operation and improvement of facilities at each laboratory. Further practice of this investigation will lead to a proficiency testing and accreditation system for autonomous quality control as is the practice in many countries, rather than mandatory practice by legal regulation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.120-126
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• 2021

Intradermal skin test (IDST) is generally considered a useful tool in identifying causal allergens in canine atopic dermatitis. Currently, multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST), an in vitro testing method for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E, is being used as an alternative method. However, there are no reports comparing the IDST and MAST results in the same dogs. This study compared the results of both tests to evaluate the agreement and correlation between them. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the MAST were 76.2%, 64%, and 66.7%, respectively. Moderate positive predicted value (PPV, 50-75%) or high sensitivity (80-100%) were identified for indoor allergens, such as cat epithelia, house dust, and house dust mites. In contrast, high negative predicted value (NPV, 93.3-100%) and specificity (60-100%) were observed for environmental allergens and fungi. Although the agreement between IDST and MAST for all allergens was fair (κ = 0.301), that for each allergen was poor (κ < 0.01), except for birch (κ = 0.158). Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed a low correlation between the MAST and IDST results (ρ = 0.308, p = 0.001). As compared to the IDST results, the MAST results did not identify the causative allergens sufficiently. IDST may not be performed for environmental allergens and fungi with high NPV and specificity if the MAST result is negative, but it may have to be performed for indoor allergens with moderate PPV and high sensitivity when the MAST result is positive.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2022

This study was conducted to test the significant difference of fertility variation among families and to select superior families for acorn production in the breeding seedling seed orchards (BSSOs) of Quercus acuta and Quercus glauca. The seed orchards were located in Jeju island and established by seedlings raised from selected parents for genetic testing in 2006. In the spring of 2021, the numbers of female and male flower were counted from 5 to 10 individuals per family in the BSSOs. To test statistical significance of which parameter is not satisfied through the normality test, we used a nonparametric analysis. Correlation analysis was performed to quantify the association between female and male flower production. As the results, the significant difference of flower production among families was found in both seed orchards. The averages of female flower production were 65.3 and 181.9 in Q. acuta and Q. glauca. The positive Spearman's rank correlation was existed between male and female flower production. Broad-sense heritability on female and male flower production were 0.191 and 0.147 in Q. acuta, and 0.285 and 0.068 in Q. glauca, respectively. Sexual asymmetry (e.g., maleness index) between female and male, and contribution variation among families (e.g., parental balance) were analyzed to find reasonable alternatives in the management of seed orchards. Effective population size of seed crops was predicted as a concept of status number. Loss of gene diversity (accumulation of group coancestry) would not be alarming in the BSSOs. Our results would be helpful to select breeding materials for establishing new seed orchards and to supply genetically improved seeds of evergreen oaks, which is one of the backbones of the strategy of carbon sink in the 2050 Carbon Neutrality of Korea Forest Service.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.63-84
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to understand the stress patterns and coping behaviors of women with infertility and to improve existing infertility stress assessment tools to develop a tool suited for Korean society. Methods: The study involved 10 women diagnosed with primary or secondary infertility. Data were collected through surveys and in-depth interviews. Participants were recruited voluntarily, and snowball sampling was used for additional recruitment. Data collection occurred from September 2023 to April 2024. Data analysis included Spearman's rank correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Interview results were analyzed using text mining and network analysis with Python 3.12. Results: There was a significant correlation between IVF/ICSI treatment and resilience scores, with non-IVF/ICSI groups showing higher resilience scores. Existing infertility stress assessment tools were generally useful but had limitations, such as discomfort with religious expressions and fixed gender roles, as well as issues with the number of items and response scales. Text mining of interview responses revealed key stress-related keywords including worry, depression, burden, pregnancy outcome, and health. Main stressors included uncertainty about pregnancy outcomes, physical discomfort during treatments, economic burdens, and emotional reactions from family and social relationships. Conclusions: This study identified the stress patterns of women with infertility through interviews. It showed the need for a new assessment tool to evaluate and support the complex stressors experienced by these women. Developing a comprehensive tool is essential for better understanding and managing the various stress factors faced by infertile women.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.333-338
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• 2016

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different denture cleansers on the surface roughness and microhardness of various types of posterior denture teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 168 artificial tooth specimens were divided into the following four subgroups (n=42): SR Orthotyp PE (polymethylmethacrylate); SR Orthosit PE (Isosit); SR Postaris DCL (double cross-linked); and SR Phonares II (nanohybrid composite). The specimens were further divided according to the type of the denture cleanser (Corega Tabs (sodium perborate), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and distilled water (control) (n=14)) and immersed in the cleanser to simulate a 180-day immersion period, after which the surface roughness and microhardness were tested. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Conover's nonparametric multiple comparison test, and Spearman's rank correlation analysis (P<.05). RESULTS. A comparison among the denture cleanser groups showed that NaOCl caused significantly higher roughness values on SR Orthotyp PE specimens when compared with the other artificial teeth (P<.001). Furthermore, Corega Tabs resulted in higher microhardness values in SR Orthotyp PE specimens than distilled water and NaOCl (P<.005). The microhardness values decreased significantly from distilled water, NaOCl, to Corega Tabs for SR Orthosit PE specimens (P<.001). SR Postaris DLC specimens showed increased microhardness when immersed in distilled water or NaOCl when compared with immersion in Corega Tabs (P<.003). No correlation was found between surface roughness and microhardness (r=0.104, P=.178). CONCLUSION. NaOCl and Corega Tabs affected the surface roughness and microhardness of all artificial denture teeth except for the new generation nanohybrid composite teeth.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.1122-1128
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• 2018

Purpose: To compare the measurements of the rebound tonometer (RT), Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and noncontact tonometer (NCT) in patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), and to evaluate the reproducibility of the RT measurements. Methods: This study included 19 PKP eyes and 28 normal eyes. We compared the intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements of the GAT and NCT with the RT in both groups using Spearman's correlation analysis and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The IOP, as measured with an RT in each group, was assessed with respect to reproducibility using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: In normal eyes, there was no significant difference in the measurements obtained with the RT, GAT, and NCT (p > 0.050). In the patient group, the RT measurements were not significantly different from those of the GAT (p = 0.872), but they were significantly lower than those obtained with the NCT (p = 0.011). However, the RT measurements showed a relatively high correlation with those of the GAT and NCT (r = 0.770 and 0.879, respectively). The ICC of the RT was 0.986 for the PKP eye group and 0.961 for the normal eye group, both of which were highly reproducible. Conclusions: In PKP eyes, the measurements obtained with the RT showed a relatively high correlation with those of the GAT and NCT, and the repeatability of the RT measurements was high and similar to those for normal eyes. The RT can therefore be considered a useful method for measuring the IOP in PKP eyes.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1987

The purpose of the present research was to study the self-regulation of the child during mother child interaction. That is. this study focused on how mothers regulated children's problem solving efforts before children began to function as independent agents capable of self-regulation. The emphasis was on the "regulation-by-others" that preceded "self-regulation". The subjects of this study were 30 mother-child dyads. The dyads were divided into 3 groups of 10 dyads each on the basis of the child's age (2, 3, and 4 years of age). The instrument used for this study was the "truck puzzle" devised by Wertsch, McNamee, Mclane and Budwig (1980). The problem solving task in this study required the dyad to make a puzzle in accordance with the model puzzle. The interaction of 30 mother-child dyads was observed and analyzed flH verbal and non-verbal behavior used by the mother to regulate the child's behavior. One-way ANOVA, Scheffe post hoc comparision and Spearman's rank-difference correlation were used for the statistical analysis of the data. The results revealed that there were significant age trends in regulation-by-others and self regulation in joint cognitive activity; that is, there were developmental transitions from regulation by-others to self-regulation in connection with crucial strategic behavior (looking at the model). Significant differences were found in mothers' interventions after children's gaze at the model in joint cognitive activity; that is, the mean proportion of mothers' intervention for the 2-year-old group was the highest and that of the 4-year-old group was the lowest. There were no significant age-related differences in mothers' use of referential perspectives in joint cognitive activity. Children's regulation- by-others increased and children's self-regulation decreased in proportion to mothers' use of referential perspectives.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.143-153
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• 1982

The objectives of this study were as follows: 1) To describe the group of selected disabled homemakers in terms of demographic and medical variables related to organizational activities in the home and family participation in household activities. 2) To identify those demograhpic and medical variables that were related to organizational activities in the home and family participation in household activities. 3) To identify relationship between organizational activities in the home and family participation in household activities. Questionnaires were given to the selected disabled homemakers living in Seoul. The sample was small(N=35) and it was not random; therefore generalizations could not be made to the population as a whole. Data were analyzed by mean, Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks, and Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Homemaker's organizational activities were measured by 16 items about physical and mental activities from Mumaw's Organizational Activities Index. Family participation in household activities was measured by 8 items about how often family members participated in two areas of household activities: house chores and extra-activities. The results were as follows: 1) The homemaker's higher organizational activities scores were associated with younger homemaker, higher the level of education, small households, and higher the economic status. The homemaker without children performed better organizational household activities. The homemaker with shorter the duration of disability performed better organizational activities. The homemaker who needed crutches for mobility performed better organizational household activities. 2) The homemaker who was younger, higher the level of education, with smaller households, and lower the economic level was helped by husband. Husband helped better the homemaker with shorter the duration of disability in household activities. 3) Factors affecting children's participation in disabled homemaker's house chores and extra-activities were the age of homemaker and the marital status. The homemaker was single and older, the children were more helpful. 4) Task standardization score was the highest among the factors of homemaker's organizational activities and families with a disabled homemaker participated more extensively than families with abled homemaker. 5) Significant intercorrelation was found between the dependent variables.