• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.2411-2414
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To determine the incidence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2-3) among patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. Materials and Methods: One-hundred and eighty-seven patients with ASC-US Pap smears who underwent colposcopy with histological study were enrolled between September 2007 and August 2015. Patient factors (including age, parity, current pills used, HIV status, age at first sexual intercourse and number of sexual partners) were obtained. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate clinical factors associated with CIN2-3. Results: CIN was diagnosed in 92 of 187 women (49.2%). Sixty-one of these (32.6%) had CIN1 and 31 (16.6%) had CIN2-3. There was no woman who had invasive cancer. There was no correlation of high-grade CIN with factors in this study including age, parity, current pills used, HIV status, age at first sexual intercourse and number of sexual partners. Conclusions: Data from this study showed no invasive cervical cancer was found in patients with ASC-US. There was no patient factor associated with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia in patients with ASC-US Pap smears.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.49-54
• /
• 2010

The reliability of the thickness measurement of the lumbar multifidus (LMD using real-time ultrasonography (US) was determined in only the superficial fiber of the lumbar multifidus (SM). However, previous studies have not examined the reliability of the deep fiber of the LM (DM). The purpose of this study was to determine the intrarater and the interrater reliability of the thickness measurements of DM using US. Eleven heathy males participated in the study. The thickness of the DM was measured with an US in the prone position. Reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of the measurement (SEM), and the Bland and Altman plot. ICC(3,1) was used to calculate the interrater reliability of the thickness measurement of DM using the values from both the first and second test sessions. Additionally, ICC(3,1) was used to calculate the intrarater reliability of the measurements over two days using the measurements obtained in test session 1 and lest session 2. The results of this study were as follows: 1) the ICC(3,1) value for interrater reliability was .94 in the first test session, and .93 in the second test session. 2) the ICC(3,1) values for intrarater reliability of the measurements over two days was .90 in both the first examiner and the second examiner. The interrater reliability and interrater reliability of the DM measurements, obtained via the US protocol used in this research was excellent. Therefore, we conclude that the thickness measurement of the DM obtaioned from the US protocol used in this research would be useful for clinician assessment of the thickness of the DM.

• Urogenital Tract Infection
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.58-65
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between uropathogens of infants with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Materials and Methods: We analyzed 308 infants hospitalized for febrile UTI between January 2010 and December 2015, and assessed the voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). The medical records, including clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, urinalysis, urine culture tests, ultrasound (US), dimercaptosuccinic acid scan, and VCUG, were retrospectively obtained. The incidences of VUR and high-grade VURs (III, IV, and V) were analyzed in 4 groups categorized by uropathogens and renal US findings. Results: The mean age of 308 infants was $3.29{\pm}2.18months$. The male-to-female ratio was 3.46:1. In urine culture tests, 267 infants (86.69%) showed single bacterial uropathogen; Escherichia coli in 241 infants (78.25%) and non-E. coli uropathogens in 26 infants (8.44%). Multiple distinctive microorganisms were identified as causative uropathogens in 41 infants (13.31%). Abnormal findings of US and VCUG were identified in 216 and 64 patients, respectively. In 308 infants, the incidences of VUR and high-grade VUR were not different among the 4 groups. In 239 male infants, the incidences of high-grade VUR were higher in patients with non-E. coli single or multiple uropathogen and with abnormal US findings (p=0.042). Conclusions: In male infants with non-E. coli uropathogen or multiple uropathogens and with abnormal US findings at febrile UTI, there was an increased chance of finding high-grade VURs on subsequent VCUG tests.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.229-237
• /
• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: While patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) are a target population for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), formal guidelines for neoadjuvant therapy are lacking. We assessed the perioperative and oncological outcomes in patients with BRPC undergoing NAC with FOLFIRINOX for patients undergoing upfront surgery (US). Methods: The AHPBA criteria for borderline resectability and/or a CA19-9 level > 100 µ/mL defined borderline resectable tumors retrieved from a prospectively populated institutional registry from 2007 to 2020. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) at 1 and 3 years. A Cox Proportional Hazard model based on intention to treat was used. A receiver-operator characteristics (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the discriminatory capability of the use of CA19-9 > 100 µ/mL to predict resectability and mortality. Results: Forty BRPC patients underwent NAC, while 46 underwent US. The median OS with NAC was 19.8 months (interquartile range [IQR], 10.3-44.24) vs. 10.6 months (IQR, 6.37-17.6) with US. At 1 year, 70% of the NAC group and 41.3% of the US group survived (p = 0.008). At 3 years, 42.5 % of the NAC group and 10.9% of the US group survived (p = 0.001). NAC significantly reduced the hazard of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.54; p = 0.001). CA19-9 > 100 µ/mL showed poor discrimination in predicting mortality, but was a moderate predictor of resectability. Conclusions: We found a survival benefit of NAC with FOLFIRINOX for BRPC. Greater pre-treatment of CA19-9 and multivessel involvement on initial imaging were associated with progression of the disease following NAC.

• Korean System Dynamics Review
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.47-66
• /
• 2012

This paper aims at investigating and identifying the factor that has led the back and forth relationship between China and the United States since 1989. Previous studies on this subject addressed the issue by taking either of two approaches: one with the micro view that interprets the back and forth relationship in the context of the end of the Cold war, on other hand, with the macro view that interprets the fragile relationship in the context of the rise of China. However, neither of the approaches explains with sufficiency the question at hand. Hence for the inquiry, this article suggests a fresh view by exploring alternative method of using a cognitive map of each nation's leader, Jiangzemin and Bill Clinton. This article provides an empirical analysis through the Selected works of Jiangzemin and the speeches of Bill Clinton in 1998 for the first time in the field of Sino-US relationship studies in Korea. With the results of the cognitive map analysis, we can reach the following four points. Firstly, indicators of the forth relationship between China and the US are: i) the recognition by Bill Clinton on the importance of China's economic growth and; ii) the US's cooperation of science technology with China. Second, the conflict between China and the US results from the discordance of opinions on the matter of human rights and military power. Second, the conflict will inevitably arise on environmental issues around the globe including a global warming. Third, while China has yet to find a legitimate reason to agree upon these issues with the US, the US urges China of its cooperation. Lastly, Both China and the US attach great importance to the alliance with Japan. This implicates that relatively, issues involving Japan take more control in the China-US relationship, than those of Korea Peninsula.

• International Area Studies Review
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.135-149
• /
• 2008

This paper studies the determinants of the pattern of penetration of US films. The global dominance of US films has been an important issue. There has been several factors that make US films competitive global film market. Market size, large investment and political hegemony have been regarded as important determinants. But the number of varieties has not been considered, although the variety is important in the pattern of differentiated products such as films. This study is purposed to analyze the export pattern of US films and to find factors that affects the pattern of trade in films. The export pattern of US films to the seven leading countries in production of films is analyzed. The US tends to export more to the country with smaller number of films produced domestically. This paper concludes that number of films is the important determinant of the pattern of trades in US films.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.759-772
• /
• 2019

Objective: To investigate the value of ultrasound (US) microflow assessment in distinguishing malignant from benign solid breast masses as well as the association between US parameters and histologic microvessel density (MVD). Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight breast masses (57 benign and 41 malignant) were examined using Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI) and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) before biopsy. Two radiologists evaluated the quantitative and qualitative vascular parameters on SMI (vascular index, morphology, distribution, and penetration) and CEUS (time-intensity curve analysis and enhancement characteristics). US parameters were compared between benign and malignant masses and the diagnostic performance was compared between SMI and CEUS. Subgroup analysis was performed according to lesion size. The effect of vascular parameters on downgrading Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4A masses was evaluated. The association between histologic MVD and US parameters was analyzed. Results: Malignant masses were associated with a higher vascular index (15.1 ± 7.3 vs. 5.9 ± 5.6), complex vessel morphology (82.9% vs. 42.1%), central vascularity (95.1% vs. 59.6%), penetrating vessels (80.5% vs. 31.6%) on SMI (all, p < 0.001), as well as higher peak intensity (37.1 ± 25.7 vs. 17.0 ± 15.8, p < 0.001), slope (10.6 ± 11.2 vs. 3.9 ± 4.2, p = 0.001), area (1035.7 ± 726.9 vs. 458.2 ± 410.2, p < 0.001), hyperenhancement (95.1% vs. 70.2%, p = 0.005), centripetal enhancement (70.7% vs. 45.6%, p = 0.023), penetrating vessels (65.9% vs. 22.8%, p < 0.001), and perfusion defects (31.7% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001) on CEUS (p ≤ 0.023). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of SMI and CEUS were 0.853 and 0.841, respectively (p = 0.803). In 19 masses measuring < 10 mm, central vascularity on SMI was associated with malignancy (100% vs. 38.5%, p = 0.018). Considering all benign SMI parameters on the BI-RADS assessment, unnecessary biopsies could be avoided in 12 category 4A masses with improved AUCs (0.500 vs. 0.605, p < 0.001). US vascular parameters associated with malignancy showed higher MVD (p ≤ 0.016). MVD was higher in malignant masses than in benign masses, and malignant masses negative for estrogen receptor or positive for Ki67 had higher MVD (p < 0.05). Conclusion: US microflow assessment using SMI and CEUS is valuable in distinguishing malignant from benign solid breast masses, and US vascular parameters are associated with histologic MVD.

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.99-110
• /
• 2014

Flounder was selected as one of the 10 strategic export aquaculture products for seafood export expansion in 2013. The flounder aquaculture industry has promoted export market diversification and product diversification from live to processed goods as a it's main strategy. The purpose of this study is to find an improvement plan for export expansion to the United States, as it emerged as a new target export market for the flounder. A summary of the key findings is as follows. First, the western region of the United States prefers to consume live and fresh flounder, whereas the eastern region prefers to consume fresh flounder. Second, because of it's high quality, Korean flounder is favored in the western region of the United States despite it's high price, whereas in the eastern region of the United States, where production volume is high, Korean flounder has to compete with US flounders because of it's high price. Third, according to the survey results, US consumers tend to enjoy seafood, as well as flounder cuisines. Fourth, the main consumption place of flounders by US consumers are restaurants, and they prefer to consume them in the form of sashimi and sushi. Fifth, 70% of US consumers expressed willingness to consume flounder when eating out. which shows great market potential. However, the high price of Korean flounder and limited size of the live fish market act as major obstacles to expanding export volume. To expand exporting Korean flounder, continuos efforts such as price reduction, exporting highly fresh fish, the co-development of processed food with the US are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.258-266
• /
• 2020

Background: The genicular nerve block (GNB) is demonstrated from several reports to alleviate pain and improve knee functionality in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Ultrasound (US)-guided GNB has been the most used imaging method. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of US-guided versus blind GNB in the treatment of knee OA. Methods: This prospective, randomized clinical trial included patients with knee OA based on American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria. The patients were evaluated for clinical and dynamometer parameters at the baseline, 4 weeks after treatment, and 12 weeks after treatment. The patients underwent blind injection or US-guided injection. Results: When compared with the baseline, both groups showed significant improvement in pain, physical function, and quality of life parameters. Significant differences were observed between the groups for clinical parameters (30-second chair stand test, 6-minute walk test) in favor of the US-guided group. On the other hand, blind injection was more significantly effective on some parameters of the Nottingham Health Profile. There wasn't any significant improvement in isokinetic muscle strength for either group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that both US-guided and blind GNB, in the treatment of knee OA, were effective in reducing symptoms and improving physical function. GNB wasn't an effective treatment for isokinetic muscle function. US-guided injections may yield more effective clinical results than blind injections.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.118-137
• /
• 2019

Purpose - As global trade disputes intensify and global trade uncertainty increases due to the prevailing trade protectionism all over the world, mega-FTAs such as the RCEP and CPTPP are suggested as strategic trade policy options for export-driven small open economies, such as Korea. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Korea's mega-FTA participation and the induced implications for the Korean economy. Design/methodology - We use a multi-region, multi-sector global CGE model, and investigate the different effects of both the US-China and US-EU trade wars on the relative changes in GDP, welfare, and trade under different trade policy regimes; (i) Korea does not participate in any mega-FTA, (ii) Korea participates in the RCEP, and (iii) Korea participates in the CPTPP. Findings - We show, among others, that though industrial effects might be largely varied, the overall enlarging of free trade zones through multilateral mega-FTA participation may contribute significantly to the macroeconomic soundness and stability of Korea, even when global trade protectionism prevails. Under RCEP and CPTPP trade regimes, Korea's GDP may increase even when the global trade environment deteriorates as trade wars occur and intensify between the US and China, or between the US and EU. It is also estimated that RCEP participation increases Korea's GDP, welfare (measured in equivalent variation), and total trade by 1.12%, $1.09 billion, and 2.54%, respectively, while CPTPP participation increases them by 0.19%, $0.92 billion, and 0.13%, respectively. Originality/value - Existing studies usually focus on the direct impacts of mega-FTA participation on macroeconomic variables such as GDP, welfare, and trade, and do not consider the possible buffer effects of a mega-FTA when the global trade environment worsens. In this paper, we analyze and quantify not only the direct impacts of RCEP and CPTPP on the main macroeconomic variables but also the possible buffer effects of the RCEP and CPTPP in the cases of the US-China and US-EU trade wars.