• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.50-59
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• 2017

To evaluate the capability of integrated PET-MRI, which has recently been utilized in the clinical practices, on the diagnosis of liver cancer, its utility was assessed by $2{\times}2$ decision matrix. The numbers of abnormal and normal decisions on the liver cancer were 98 and 51 cases, respectively, upon PET-MRI scan results of the subjects, and the numbers of positive and negative decisions were 103 and 62, respectively, upon cytopathologic results. Out of the two tests, 95 cases were shown as true-positive and 3 were false positive, while 62 were true negative and 5 were false negative. Upon the results of PET-MRI test, its sensitivity, specificity, false negative rate, and false positive rate were 95.00%, 95.38%, 0.05%, and 95.15%, respectively. Therefore, it is considered to have the high potential to use the determination of the stage before the surgery, detections of recurrence and remote metastasis, assessment of uncertain remote lymph node metastasis, and so on in the diagnosis of the liver cancer, and also for the clinical utility of PET-MRI to be sufficient by integrated diagnosis and follow up scan with pathological studies.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2003

Objectives: The development of an useful method for obtaining metaphase chromosomes from a biopsied blastomere would allow differentiation between embryos with balanced and normal chromosome complements in the preimplantation genetic diagnosis for chromosomal translocations. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of microtubule depolymerizing agents (MTDAs) on the blastomeres of mouse and human preimplantation embryos, and to establish an effective method for obtaining metaphase chromosomes of biopsied blastomeres in human early embryos. Materials and Methods: Early embryos (2-4 cell stage) from superovulated mice (ICR strain) were collected and treated with single or mixture MTDAs, such as vinblastine, nocodazole and colcemid. After the treatment of MTDAs for 16 hours, the metaphase aquisition (MA) rates were evaluated by the observation of chromosome status with bis-benzimide or DAPI staining. The optimal condition from the above experiment was applied to human embryos, which were developed from abnormal fertilization (3-pronuclei). Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) with whole chromosome probes was conducted on the human metaphase chromosomes by the MTDAs. Results: In mouse embryos, the effective concentrations of each MTDAs for obtaining metaphase chromosomes were $1.0{\mu}M$ of vinblastine (20.3%), $5.0{\mu}M$ of nocodazole (28.1%) and $1.0{\mu}M$ colcemid (55.6%), respectively. The highest MA rate (91.2%) in the mouse embryos was obtained by a mixture of vinblastine ($1.0{\mu}M$) and nocodazole ($1.0{\mu}M$). In the human embryos, the metaphase chromosomes of blastomeres were obtained in 44 of 113 blastomeres (38.9%) by treatment of the mixture of vinblastine and nocodazole. FISH signals of the metaphase chromosomes were successfully observed in human individual blastomeres. Conclusions: The treatment of a mixture MTDAs for obtaining metaphase chromosomes was an efficient method, and the MA rate was above 90% in the mouse embryos. However, only a relatively small proportions of the blastomeres yielded metaphase chromosomes by the MTDAs in the human embryos. The inconsistent effects of MTDAs may be related to the variation of different species and the poor developmental potency of abnormally fertilized human embryos. We should develop more reliable and efficient methods for obtaining the metaphase chromosomes in the biopsied blastomeres of human preimplantation embryos.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.213-219
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• 2018

Stomach cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Korea. When gastric cancer is detected early, the 5-year survival rate is as high as 90%. Gastroscopy is a very useful method for early diagnosis. But the false negative rate of gastric cancer in the gastroscopy was 4.6~25.8% due to the subjective judgment of the physician. Recently, the image classification performance of the image recognition field has been advanced by the convolutional neural network. Convolutional neural networks perform well when diverse and sufficient amounts of data are supported. However, medical data is not easy to access and it is difficult to gather enough high-quality data that includes expert annotations. So This paper evaluates the efficacy of transfer learning in gastroscopy classification and diagnosis. We obtained 787 endoscopic images of gastric endoscopy at Gil Medical Center, Gachon University. The number of normal images was 200, and the number of abnormal images was 587. The image size was reconstructed and normalized. In the case of the ResNet50 structure, the classification accuracy before and after applying the transfer learning was improved from 0.9 to 0.947, and the AUC was also improved from 0.94 to 0.98. In the case of the InceptionV3 structure, the classification accuracy before and after applying the transfer learning was improved from 0.862 to 0.924, and the AUC was also improved from 0.89 to 0.97. In the case of the VGG16 structure, the classification accuracy before and after applying the transfer learning was improved from 0.87 to 0.938, and the AUC was also improved from 0.89 to 0.98. The difference in the performance of the CNN model before and after transfer learning was statistically significant when confirmed by T-test (p < 0.05). As a result, transfer learning is judged to be an effective method of medical data that is difficult to collect good quality data.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.33 no.5 s.112
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• pp.69-82
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• 2005

These studies were carried out (1) to investigate the growth characteristics of Sedum album L. in the field, (2) to propose a suitable shallow peen roof system for this plant, and (3) to evaluate plant growth in the proposed system over the long term. The growth characteristics, such as morphological properties, growth habit, shade tolerance, and flowering, were surveyed. In experimental shallow green-roof systems, the effects of drainage type, substrate type, and soil depth on plant growth were investigated. Then drought tolerance was investigated. After planting Sedum album L. in the proposed system survival rate, cover, and resistance to insects, heal and cold were evaluated for about 2 years. The results of these studies are summarized below. 1. In the field, the aboveground part of Sedum album L. did not die back during the winter. Plant height was 4$\sim$7 cm. Roots were distributed to a depth of 5$\sim$7 cm. Sedum album L. is a compact ground-cover plant that spreads vigorously. Shading condition of less than $30\%$ of full sunlight didn't cause any trouble, but shading conditions above $87\%$ made the shape of the shoots and leaves abnormal. The plant bloomed from June to August and had a rather large compound umbel of white, star-shaped flowers. 2. Two systems, a drainage-blend-10 cm soil depth and a reservoir$\cdot$drainage-blend-15 cm soil depth, performed best in terms of cover, fresh weight, and dry weight. The first has an advantage for green roofs because it is lighter than the latter. 3. In drainage-blend-10 m soil depth and modified reservoir · drainage-blend-10 cm soil depth system no plants died for about 4 months after stopping the irrigation. The visual quality of the latter system was above 5 for 4 months and that of the former was under 5 after 2 months. In the field, however, the drought tolerance of Sedum album L. grown in the former would be enough to withstand the dry season. Considering the urban ecosystem and the importance of healthy growth the modified reservoir $\cdot$ drainage-blend-10 cm soil depth system was finally recommended. This system was composed of a 4 cm thick drainage layer and drain outlets placed at a height of 2.5 cm. 4. In the proposed system, the survival rate was $100\%$, and there was no injury induced by insects and heat. The leaf density decreased a little in winter. Cover increased throughout the year. Sedum album L. was planted with a cover of 72$cm^{2}$ on 3 April 2003; on 16 June 2003 and 15 June 2004, cover was $132.66\pm$5.87 $cm^{2}$(1.8 times) and $886.98\pm$63.51 $cm^{2}$(12.3 times), respectively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6285-6288
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed at late stages in countries with limited resources. In Morocco, breast cancer is ranked the first female cancer (36.1%) and screening methods could reduce the proportion presenting with a late diagnosis. Morocco is currently adopting a breast cancer screening program based on clinical examination at primary health facilities, diagnosis at secondary level and treatment at tertiary level. So far, there is no systematic information on the performance of the screening program for breast cancer in Morocco. The aim of this study was to analyze early performance indicators. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluative study conducted in Temara city. The target population was the entire female population aged between 45-70 years. The study was based on process and performance indicators collected at the individual level from the various health structures in Tamara between 2009 and 2011. Results: A total of 2,350 women participated in the screening program; the participation rate was 35.7%. Of these, 76.8% (1,806) were married and 5.2% (106) of this group had a family history of breast cancer. Of the women who attended screening, 9.3% (190) were found to have an abnormal physical examination findings. A total of 260 (12.7%) were referred for a specialist consultation. The positive predictive value of clinical breast examination versus mammography was 23.0%. Forty four (35.5%) of the lesions found on the mammograms were classified as BI-RADs 3; 4 or 5 category. Cancer was found in 4 (1.95%) of the total number of screened women and benign cases represented 0.58%. Conclusions: These first results of the programme are very encouraging, but there is a need to closely monitor performance and to improve programme procedures with the aim of increasing both the participation rate and the proportion of women eligible to attend screening.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 1984

Estimated dose rates in spent fuel pool storage with the extended fuel cycle core management were reviewed and compared with design limit after calculation with the aid of DLC-23/CASK(22 n, 18 g) nuclear data and ANISN code. Radioactivity and gamma spectrum within spent fuel assemblies were calculated with ORIGEN code by extended fuel cycle model. In the calculation of dose rate, the fuel pool geometry was assumed to be infinite slab. Also, composition materials and radiation source within assemblies which are being stored in pool storage were assumed to be uniformly distributed throughout all the assemblies. As a result of culculation of dose rate from stored assemblies and waterborne radionuclides in pool water, the calculated dose rates appear to be lower than design basis limit under normal condition as well as abnormal condition.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1417-1425
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• 2014

The selection of morphologically normal spermatozoa is critical to obtain high breeding performances in boar breeding farms and artificial insemination (AI) centers. Parameters for the selection of semen mainly include total sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. However, these primary parameters are often not reliable for discriminating between normal and abnormal, non-fertilizable spermatozoa. The present study was designed to compare the motion characteristics, fertilization ability using in vitro fertilization (IVF), and acrosome formation of the semen from boars having low (boar number 2012) and normal (boar number 2004 and 2023) breeding performances. The ultimate goal was to identify additional simple and easy criteria for the selection of normal sperm. There was no significant difference between boar 2004 and boar 2023 sperm total motility in computer assisted sperm analysis. However, boar number 2012 semen presented a significantly reduced population of rapid moving spermatozoa and an increased population of slow moving spermatozoa compared to boar numbers 2004 and 2023. Analysis of detailed motion characteristics revealed that sperm from boar number 2012 had significantly reduced motility in progressiveness, average path velocity, straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straightness, and linearity. The assessment of the fertilizing ability by IVF also showed that sperm from boar number 2012 showed a fertility rate of 3.4%, whereas sperm from boar number 2023 had a fertility rate of 75.45%. Interestingly, most of the sperm nuclei were found on the peripheral area of the oocytes, suggesting that the sperm from boar number 2012 lacked penetration ability into the oocyte zonapellucida. The acrosome formation analysis using Pisum sativum agglutinin staining demonstrated that the sperm from boar number 2012 had a defect in acrosome formation. Consequently, primary parameters for selecting semen before AI such as motility are not sufficient to select normal and fertilizable spermatozoa. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the acrosome staining and detailed motion characteristics such as progressiveness, VCL, and VSL should be included in determining semen quality together with primary parameters for successful AI and high breeding performance in the swine industry.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.285-291
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to research any effect on visual function related to accommodation by VDT work. Methods: The refraction power, accommodative lag, accommodative facility, relative accommodation, amplitude of accommodation and blink rate were measured before and after VDT work for 2 hours on 48 university students (16 males and 32 females), without abnormal accommodative function and systemic and ocular disease, who had never undergone corrective eye surgery. All examinations were performed with distant refraction, and a survey was conducted on the items related to subjective symptoms of VDT syndrome. Results: After 2 hours of VDT work, refractive power increased by 0.23 D, the amount of change in accommodative lag were $0.17{\pm}0.42D$ in the right eye and $0.23{\pm}0.47D$ in the left eye (t=2.26, p=0.03). There were statistically significant differences. Both the accommodative facility and relative accommodation and amplitude of accommodation were decreased after work. However, blink rate were increased. After VDT work, 33.4% of the subjects showed subjective symptoms of asthenopia and 33.3% of them showed shoulder pain. Conclusions: As a result, the accommodative lag increased in response to the two hours of VDT work, and overall accommodative functions were decreased. In addition, as symptoms of providing visual strain, asthenopia showed the most prominent subjective symptoms.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.259-264
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• 2002

Induction of embryogenic callus from Allium wakegi Araki explants was promoted on medium containing 2,4-D, and production of abnormal embryos from the embryogenic callus increased as 2,4-D concentration was raised. Shoot tip was found to be the best explant source for embryogenic callus formation followed in the order by bulb scale and leaf section. Medium containing 0.09 M sucrose was effective for embryogenic callus production. The regenerants from embryogenic callus on medium containing 2,4-D and BA at different concentrations was consisted of diploids, tetraploids and a few mixaploids of 2n＋4n, and their chromosomal aberration rate ranged from 8.0 to 33.3%. Frequency of chromosomal aberrants was the highest (18.7%) in the regenerants obtained from bulb scale-derived embryogenic callus among others. Plant regeneration rate was high (33.5%) from the shoot tip-derived embryogenic callus and the frequency of chromosomal aberrants was very low (7.0%). The plantlets regenerated on medium containing 0.26 M sucrose resulted in high chromosomal aberrants. The regenerants on medium containing sucrose at 0.09∼0.20 M produced chromosomal aberrants at around 15.2∼16.6%.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.92-97
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• 2014

Purpose: Bisphosphonates are widely used for the management steroid-induced osteoporosis (SIO) in children. With the increasing use of bisphosphonates, there have been reports of abnormal radiological findings in the growing skeleton. Therefore, their use in pediatric patients remains controversial. The present study was conducted to evaluate the long-term follow-up radiographic features, particularly metaphyseal sclerotic lines, in children who receive pamidronate therapy for nephropathy. Methods: Twenty-four children with nephropathy treated with oral calcium and pamidronate (mean duration, 9 months; dose, 100 mg daily), were evaluated retrospectively. All patients had SIO secondary to chronic glucocorticoid therapy for treating nephropathy. Long bone radiographic imaging was performed before treatment with pamidronate, and at follow-up, several years later. Physeal growth rates were estimated by measuring the distance that the sclerotic lines moved on the radiographs during the corresponding time intervals. Results: The mean follow-up period was 138 months. Long bone radiographs showed well-defined sclerotic lines at the metaphyseal ends, progressively moving from the physeal plate to the diaphysis, in all patients. The mean rate of movement of the sclerotic line was 6.21 mm per year. In 12 patients, the lines disappeared. The mean rate of growth in height was 7.33 cm per year. Conclusions: Results of long-term follow-up suggest that the metaphyseal sclerotic lines associated with pamidronate treatment tend to disappear without affecting overall skeletal growth. Bisphosphonate treatment for SIO in children with nephropathy seems to be safe, although further studies in larger number of patients are needed.