• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.17
• /
• pp.7935-7941
• /
• 2015

The aim of this study was to implement massive parallel sequencing (MPS) technology in clinical genetics testing. We developed and tested an amplicon-based method for resequencing the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes on an Illumina MiSeq to identify disease-causing mutations in patients with hereditary breast or ovarian cancer (HBOC). The coding regions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 were resequenced in 96 HBOC patient DNA samples obtained from different sample types: peripheral blood leukocytes, whole blood drops dried on paper, and buccal wash epithelia. A total of 16 random DNA samples were characterized using standard Sanger sequencing and applied to optimize the variant calling process and evaluate the accuracy of the MPS-method. The best bioinformatics workflow included the filtration of variants using GATK with the following cut-offs: variant frequency >14%, coverage ($>25{\times}$) and presence in both the forward and reverse reads. The MPS method had 100% sensitivity and 94.4% specificity. Similar accuracy levels were achieved for DNA obtained from the different sample types. The workflow presented herein requires low amounts of DNA samples (170 ng) and is cost-effective due to the elimination of DNA and PCR product normalization steps.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 1998

Large soft tissue defect of the ankle and foot can present a difficult reconstructive problem to the surgeon. Local musculocutaneous, local fasciocutaneous or free flap is usually the first choice for providing soft tissue coverage. However, in certain situations, local flaps from the same leg and free flap may not be suitable. These include extensive soft tissue injury, where no suitable recipient vessels can be found, previous local fasciocutaneous flap or free flap failure. In such cases, we have utilized the septocutaneous(fasciocutaneous) branch flap of posterior tibial artery from the opposite healthy limb. We present 5 cases of cross leg flaps, which have been modernized with current understanding of vascular anatomy and current fixation technology. All cross leg flaps were based on the axial blood supply of the fasciocutanous branch of the posterior tibial artery. Cross-clamping with bowel clamp was used to create intermittent periods of ischemia. Adjacent lower extremity joints were exercised during the periods of attachment. The results have been quite encouraging. We conclude that the cross leg flap using septocutaneous flap and cast immobilization can be successfully and expeditiously used to cover defects of the ante and foot.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.8
• /
• pp.3391-3396
• /
• 2014

Background: Vitamin D has been suggested as one of the critical factors for female reproductive health with protective activities against different cancers but there are conflicting facts regarding its role on breast cancer without any clear data on premenopausal cases. This study aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D from dietary sources and sunlight exposure on the incidence of premenopausal breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted a case control study on 60 newly diagnosed premenopausal breast cancer patients and 116 normal women who lived in Sabzevar and surrounding villages in Razavi, Khorasan, a rural and conservative area of Iran. Results: The mean concentrations of 25-OH vitamin D in cases and controls were $15.2{\pm}8.15$ vs $15.5{\pm}7/45ng/ml$, both well below normal values elsewhere. In fact 50% of analyzed individuals showed very severe or severe vitamin D deficiency and the rest (25%) were detected in suboptimal levels. Although the lack of vitamin D and calcium supplementation increased slightly the risk of premenopausal breast cancer (p=0.009, OR=1.115, CI 95%=1.049-1.187), higher prevalence of weekly egg consumption (86.66% vs 96.55%, p=0.023, OR=0.232, CI 95% 0.065-0.806) showed a slight protective role. The last but the most important risk factor was lack of sunlight exposure because the breast cancer patients had total body coverage from sun (p=0.007, OR=10.131, CI 98% 0.314-78.102). Conclusion: This study pointed out the role of vitamin D and other possible risk factors on the development and growth of breast tumors in this special geographical region. Although this study has revealed the interactions between hormonal and environmental factors in this province of Iran, understanding the deficiency pattern and its contribution to other lifestyle factors elsewhere is also necessary.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.49-59
• /
• 2022

Objectives: Access to maternal and neonatal care services (MNCS) is an important goal of health policy in developing countries. In this study, we proposed a 3-level hierarchical location-allocation model to maximize the coverage of MNCS providers in Iran. Methods: First, the necessary criteria for designing an MNCS network were explored. Birth data, including gestational age and birth weight, were collected from the data bank of the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network national registry based on 3 service levels (I, II, and III). Vehicular travel times between the points of demand and MNCS providers were considered. Alternative MNCS were mapped in some cities to reduce access difficulties. Results: It was found that 130, 121, and 86 MNCS providers were needed to respond to level I, II, and III demands, respectively, in 373 cities. Service level III was not available in 39 cities within the determined travel time, which led to an increased average travel time of 173 minutes to the nearest MNCS provider. Conclusions: This study revealed inequalities in the distribution of MNCS providers. Management of the distribution of MNCS providers can be used to enhance spatial access to health services and reduce the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This method may provide a sustainable healthcare solution at the policy and decision-making level for regional, or even universal, healthcare networks.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.228-234
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Reconstruction of chest wall has always been a challenging problem. Muscle flaps for chest wall reconstruction have been helpful in controling infection, filling dead space and covering the prosthetic material in this challenge. However, when we use muscle flaps, functional and cosmetic donor site morbidities could occur. The authors applied and revised various partial muscle flaps and combination use of them to cover the prosthetic material for the chest wall reconstruction and evaluated the usefulness of partial muscle flaps. Methods: This study included 7 patients who underwent chest wall reconstruction using partial muscle flap to cover prosthetic material from 2004 to 2008. The pectoralis major muscle was used in anterior 2/3 parts of it leaving lateral 1/3 parts of it. The anterior 2/3 parts of the pectoralis major muscle were used while lateral 1/3 parts were left. In case of the rectus abdominis muscle flap, we used upper half of it, or we dissected it around its origin and then advanced to cover the site. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap was elevated with lateral portion of it along the descending branch of the thoracodorsal artery. If single partial muscle flap could not cover whole prosthetic material, it would be covered with combination of various partial muscle flaps adjacent to the coverage site. Results: Flap coverage of the prosthetic material and chest wall reconstructions were successfully done. There occurred no immediate and delayed post operative complications such as surgical site infection, seroma, deformity of donor site and functional impairment. Conclusion: When we use the muscle flaps to cover prosthetic material for chest wall reconstruction, use of the partial muscle flaps could be a good way to reduce donor site morbidity. Combination of multiple partial flaps could be a valuable and good alternative way to overcome the disadvantages of partial muscle flaps such as limitation of volume and size as well as flap mobility.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.197-205
• /
• 2020

With the purpose of designing companion planting of groundcover plants for ornamental uses, this study identified the yearly growth characteristics of nine species of different life forms, analyzed the coverage characteristics of individual plants, and suggested combinations of plants suitable for each life form. Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum, Liriope platyphylla and Hosta capitata, as short-grained plants that can grow to more than 20 cm, tended to grow for 60 days after planting in April and maintain their shape thereafter. Their aerial parts started to wither and enter dormancy after September. Saxifraga stolonifera, Dianthus chinensis and Sedum middendorffianum tended to continuously grow until September after planting in April and their growth declined after September. Lysimachia nummularia, as a creeping plant that grows creeping on the ground, started to show a rapid growth three months after planting. Sedum sarmentosum grew slowly until August and the aerial parts started to wither from September when the temperature decreases. The coverage characteristics of these nine species that grow differently after companion planting were surveyed and the growth of Sedum sarmentosum showed the highest number of companions. It was found that Hosta capitata can be companion planted with Sedum middendorffianum, Saxifraga stolonifera, and Lysimachia nummularia. These results indicate that among different shoot growth types species propagated with their stems creeping on the ground or those that can grow vegetatively with non-rhizome parts are more suitable for companion planting with others than those of which rhizomes branch.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2012

It is usual for test data generation to be performed using either high-level specifications or source codes written in high-level programming languages. In certain circumstances, however, such information is not always available. This paper presents a technique that generates test data based on executable object codes. The proposed technique makes use of a very simple function minimization technique without sophisticated object code analysis and produces test data dynamically. We have conducted a simple experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed test data generation technique with a triangle classification program to show that branch coverage can be easily achieved.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.255-264
• /
• 2001

Development process of benthic community on experimental substrata attached on a newly installed artificial reef complex in Jeju Island was observed for 27 months from 1992 to 1994. Among 34 species of algae and 64 species of zoobenthos obtained from the study, Ecklonia cava dominated with a maximum biomass of about $10kg/m^2$. It was able to smother the other animals, however it provided a new substrate for the new settlers. Opportunistic bryzoans such as Likenopora radiata and Dexiospira spirillum occurred during the early stage were substituted by poriferans, banacles and other bryzoans. Young barnacles were smothered by bryozoans, on the contrary, bryozoans were bulldozed by adult barnacles. No apparent differences have been observed between vertically and horizontally installed substrates in terms of species composition and biomass during the early stage of succession. Thereafter owing to the rapid growth of E. cava, the horizontal substrata carried on a higher biomass while the vertical showed a higher coverage. The benthic process on the experimental substrata can be classified into three stages: initial stage, build up stage and regulatory stage. Important mechanisms involved were canopying of E. cava, suffocation by bryozoans and poriferans, and bulldozing of adult barnacles.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.437-444
• /
• 2014

In this paper, we introduce a Graph based Binary Code Execution Path Exploration Platform. In the graph, a node is defined as a conditional branch instruction, and an edge is defined as the other instructions. We implemented prototype of the proposed method and works well on real binary code. Experimental results show proposed method correctly explores execution path of target binary code. We expect our method can help Software Assurance, Secure Programming, and Malware Analysis more correct and efficient.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.646-650
• /
• 2021

Head and neck reconstruction poses unique challenges in rehabilitating surgical defects in terms of integrity, function, and form. The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been widely used for defect coverage, especially in the head and neck area, but its versatility allows it to be used for soft-tissue reconstruction in various parts of the body. The vascular features of the flap are quite constant and reliable. Nevertheless, abnormalities of the forearm vascular tree have been described over the decades. We report a case of intraoral reconstruction after verrucous carcinoma recurrence in a 74-year-old woman with an unusual forearm flap, which we called the median forearm free flap, based on a median branch of the radial artery that was preoperatively detected using handheld Doppler ultrasonography. The distally located skin paddle was predominantly supplied by the aberrant median vessel with its perforators. The flap was thus safely harvested with this atypical pedicle. Successful reconstruction of the intraoral defect was achieved, with an uneventful postoperative course.