• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.273-281
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the general anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine the human anatomic variability of the nasopalatine canal in relation to age and gender. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 subjects aged between 20 and 86 years who were divided into the following 3 groups: 1) 20-34 years old; 2) 35-49 years old; 3) ${\geq}50$ years old. The subjects were equally distributed between the genders. CBCT was performed using a standard exposure and patient positioning protocol. The data of the CBCT images were sliced in three dimensions. Image planes on the three axes (X, Y, and Z) were sequentially analyzed for the location, morphology and dimensions of the nasopalatine canal by two independent observers. The correlation of age and gender with all the variables was evaluated. Results: The present study did not reveal statistically significant differences in the number of openings at the nasal fossa; diameter of the nasal fossa openings; diameter of the incisive fossa; shape, curvature, and angulation of the canal as viewed in the sagittal sections; antero-posterior dimensions and length of the canal in the sagittal sections; or the level of division of the canal in the coronal plane by age. However, males and females showed significant differences in the length of the canal in the sagittal sections and level of the division of the canal in the coronal plane. Conclusion: The present study highlighted important variability observed in the anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.44
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• pp.276.1-276.10
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• 2018

Background: The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) established a healthcare claim database for all Korean citizens. This study aimed to analyze the NHIS data and investigate the patterns of breast cancer treatments. Methods: We constructed a retrospective female breast cancer cohort by analyzing annual incident cases. The annual number of newly diagnosed female breast cancer was compared between the NHIS data and Korea National Cancer Incidence Database (KNCIDB). The annual treatment patterns including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, endocrine therapy and targeted therapy were analyzed. Results: A total of 148,322 women with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer during 2006-2014 was identified. The numbers of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer cases were similar between the NHIS data and KNCIDB, which demonstrated a strong correlation (r = 0.995; P < 0.001). The age distribution of the breast cancer cases in the NHIS data and KNCIDB also showed a strong correlation (r = 1.000; P < 0.001). About 85% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients underwent operations. Although the proportions of chemotherapy use have not changed during 2006-2014, the total number of chemotherapy prescriptions sharply increased during this period. The proportions of radiotherapy and anti-hormonal therapy increased. Among the anti-hormonal agents, tamoxifen was the most frequently prescribed medication, and letrozole was the most preferred endocrine treatment in patients aged ${\geq}50$ years. Conclusion: Along with the increased breast cancer incidence in Korea, the frequencies of breast cancer treatments have increased. The NHIS data can be a feasible data source for future research.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.7
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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.

• Journal of Rhinology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: Obesity is one of the most important risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). There is limited evidence regarding the obesity-related anthropometric characteristics of Korean patients. Materials and Method: Medical records of 984 patients referred to 3 tertiary referral hospitals for habitual snoring or sleep apnea were analyzed. We defined OSA as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ${\geq}5$ and analyzed data to determine the anthropometric characteristics of patients with OSA such as neck circumference (NC), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist to hip ratio (WHR). Results: A total of 952 patients (719 men) were included in the analysis. The main findings were: 1) BMI, WC, NC, HC, and WHR were greater among patients with OSA than among controls (AHI <5); 2) for both sexes, the proportion of patients with an OSA diagnosis increased with age; it increased steeply for women aged >50 years; 3) WC and WHR were most strongly correlated with AHI for men and women, respectively. Conclusion: OSA is associated with anthropometric characteristics, although different patterns were observed between men and women. OSA was more strongly associated with NC or WC among men and with WHR among women.

• Journal of Neurocritical Care
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2018

Background: A sians were known to have a relatively lower incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and there is insufficient evidence to suggest a specific D-dimer threshold level for screening VTE in patients with acute stroke. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Jeju National University Hospital. The inclusion criteria were: 1) aged ${\geq}18$ years, 2) admission within seven days of symptom onset, and 3) an initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >1 for the affected lower limb. Ultrasound scans of the lower limbs and plasma D-dimer assays were performed on days 7-14 and 15-28 after stroke onset. Results: Of 285 patients admitted during the study period, 52 patients met inclusion criteria (mean age 74.5, male 40.4%, median initial NIHSS score 12, and unable to walk unassisted at discharge 76.9%). During 7-14 days, 23 of 52 patients (44.2%) had a D-dimer level above 1.57 mg/L, and 9.6% had a level above 5.50 mg/L. Proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was detected in 3 patients (5.8%, 95% confidence Interval 1.2-16.0%) on ultrasound examination. All DVTs were found in elderly female patients with severe leg weakness. No patient was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism during the study period. Conclusion: The incidence of VTE seems to be very low among Korean patients with acute ischemic stroke. Advanced age, female sex, and severe leg weakness were important risk factors for developing DVT in this study.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.622-628
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of the booster immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean children. Methods : Thirty-nine children aged 12-23 months who visited Kangnam CHA Hospital between September 2006 and December 2006 were enrolled. The children were divided into primary and booster groups depending on their vaccination status for the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The anti-pneumococcal antibody levels of each serotype included in the vaccine (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F) were determined by third-generation ELISA. Results : The geometric mean titer (GMT) of antibodies to each pneumococcal serotype in the booster group was higher than in the primary group (P<.05). The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}0.35{\mu}g/mL$ was 90.5-100% for all serotypes in both the primary and booster groups. The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}1.0g/mL$ in the booster group was 94.4-100%, which was higher than the primary group except for serotypes 6B and 14 (P<.05). The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}5.0{\mu}g/mL$ in the booster group was 50.0-94.4% which was higher than the primary group for all serotypes (P<0.05). Conclusion : The immunogenicity of a booster dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean children was high and the immunogenicity of a primary series was also relatively high. To determine the feasibility of the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the appropriate schedule for Korean children, further prospective investigation of the immunogenicity of the booster immunization is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3879-3887
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• 2012

Background: Development of effective educational strategies should accompany increases in public awareness and the availability of genetic testing for breast cancer (BC). These educational strategies should be designed to fulfill the knowledge gap while considering factors that influence women's interest in order to facilitate decision making. Objective: To determine the possible correlates of Saudi women's interest in BC genes testing including socio-demographics, the level of awareness towards BC genes, the family history of BC and the perceived personal risk among adult Saudi women in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out during the second BC community-based campaign in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. All Saudi women aged ${\geq}18$ years (n=781) attending the educational components of the campaign were invited to a personal interview. Data collection included gathering information about sociodemographics, family history of BC, the perceived personal risk for BC, awareness and attitude towards BC genes and the women's interest in BC genes testing. Results: Of the included women (n=599), 19.5% perceived higher risk for BC development, significantly more among < 40 years of age, and with positive family history of BC before 50 years of age. The participants demonstrated a poor level of awareness regarding the inheritance, risk, and availability of BC genetic testing. The median summated knowledge score was 1.0 (out of 7 points) with a knowledge deficit of 87.8%. The level of knowledge showed significant decline with age (> 40 years). Of the included women 54.7% expressed an interest in BC genetic testing for assessing their BC risk. Multivariate regression model showed that being middle aged (Odds Ratio 'OR'=1.88, confidence intervals 'C.I'=1.14-3.11), with higher knowledge level (OR=1.67, C.I=1.08-2.57) and perceiving higher risk for BC (OR=2.11, C.I=1.61-2.76) were the significant positive correlates for Saudi women interest in BC genetic testing. Conclusion: Saudi women express high interest in genetic testing for BC risk despite their poor awareness. This great interest may reflect the presence of inappropriate information regarding BC genetic testing and its role in risk analysis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2014

Fresh sea squirt meat requires a modified processing and preservation process because it has a short shelf life due to its high moisture content and strong proteolytic enzyme activity. In this study, bottled sea squirt meat prepared in vegetable oil (BSMO) to enhance the consumer acceptability was exposed to ${\gamma}$-ray (Co60, 10 kGy/h) irradiation to extend the shelf life without the use of a heating process. Response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal mixing ratio of BSMO containing 5% dehydrated fresh meat. Texture analysis and nutritional evaluation were also performed on a control and BSMO samples. The volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) content and total cell count were measured to determine the shelf life of irradiated BSMO products during chilled storage at $4^{\circ}C$ for 60 days. According to a panel of 10 trained tasters (aged 20-29 years), the optimal mixing formulation was 80 g meat in 60 mL of mixed vegetable oil (30 mL of olive oil and 30 mL of sesame oil). The highest rated formulation, according to a panel of nine trained tasters (aged ${\geq}30$ years), was 80 g meat in 60 mL of mixed vegetable oil (42 mL of olive oil and 18 mL of sesame oil). Moisture, ash, and protein contents in BSMO did not change significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the control. A higher lipid content ($0.84{\pm}0.23$ to $2.13{\pm}0.61$; P < 0.05) was observed due to the presence of vegetable oil on the surface of BSMO. The vegetable oil raised the hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience of BSMO. BSMO products remained edible after 50 days of storage at $4^{\circ}C$ based on the VBN content (BSMO 1: $27.92{\pm}0.96$ mg/100 g, BSMO 2: $24.84{\pm}1.95$ mg/100 g) and total cell count (BSMO 1: $4.60{\pm}0.80$ log CFU/mL, BSMO 2: $3.65{\pm}0.20$ log CFU/mL) when compared with standard levels of VBN (25.00 mg/100 g) and total cell count (5 log CFU/mL), respectively. The results showed that irradiated BSMO products could help to expand the processed seafood market and increase the popularity of seafood among the younger generations.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.287-295
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• 2016

This study was conducted to assess the relationship amongst serum ferritin, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic syndrome score (MSS) in Korean adults. The data of 16,096 adults (6,840 men as well as 4,916 premenopausal and 4,340 postmenopausal women) aged ${\geq}20years$ in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2010 and 2012 were analyzed. The prevalence rate of MetS was 3,978 (24.7%) (men, 24.6%; premenopausal women, 11.1%; postmenopausal women, 40.3%). The key study results were as follows: First, after the adjustment for relevant variables, the serum ferritin level ($M{\pm}SE$) was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the MetS group (men, $132.25{\pm}1.98ng/mL$; premenopausal women, $39.89{\pm}1.49ng/mL$; postmenopausal women, $73.45{\pm}1.14ng/mL$) than in the non-MetS group (men, $111.08{\pm}1.01ng/mL$; premenopausal women, $32.26{\pm}0.50ng/mL$; postmenopausal women, $63.26{\pm}0.98ng/mL$). Second, the serum ferritin levels increased as MSS increased in all groups (men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women) (p<0.001). In conclusion, MetS and MSS increases were positively associated with higher serum ferritin levels.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.94-103
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the association of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with all-cause mortality among populations. The data used were from a Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) based on health examinations and questionnaires. The subjects consisted of 10,110 persons aged 40 and over. Hazard ratio was analyzed using Cox's proportional hazard model. The hazard ratio of AST (${\geq}50.0\;IU/L$) was 2.198 (95% CI: 1.217-3.971) after being adjusted for age, sex, education, regular exercise, smoking, drinking, WHR, and TG. In conclusion, AST was an independent significant risk factor of all-cause mortality, and ALT showed a tendency to increase. Overall, these findings indicate that AST and ALT may be useful tools for predicting mortality.