• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.359-386
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• 2010

In order to evaluate the domain-specific model and process-specific model of spatial and nonspatial working memory (WM), this study manipulated the memory load of the delayed response task and examined how the neural correlates of memory load effect was influenced by the stimulus domain (face and location) at the maintenance stage of WM using an event-related fMRI experiment. One or three face stimuli were presented as target stimuli and participants were asked to maintain the face itself (face WM) or the location of face stimuli (spatial WM). The results of recognition judgment accuracy showed no difference between face WM and spatial WM, and showed equivalent memory load effects of both WM. As a result of brian image analysis, memory load effect at maintenance stage showed that inferior, middle, and superior PFC were recruited by both face WM and spatial WM, and showed that VLPFC was the commonly activated area by both WM, supporting functional specialization of PFC by process components of WM. This study provides evidence for process-specific model in which maintenance of WM is associated with VLPFC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2447-2451
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• 2015

Background: Human papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is often associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT); their coexistence improves PTC prognosis. Osteopontin, a secreted glycoprotein, plays a role in cell survival, immunity, and tumor progression, its expression being associated with a poor prognosis and metastasis in several malignancies. Osteopontin overexpression correlates with aggressive clinicopathological features in PTC. Lymph node metastases and large tumor size positively correlate with osteopontin positivity. This study aimed to: (1) confirm osteopontin overexpression in human PTC samples; (2) compare osteopontin expression levels in PTC cases with and without HT; and (3) identify correlations between tumor aggressiveness and osteopontin expression levels. Materials and Methods: Plasma osteopontin was assessed in 45 patients with PTC, 22 patients with PTC and HT, and 24 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thyroid tissue osteopontin mRNA and protein levels were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Results: Plasma osteopontin levels were significantly higher in PTC patients than in healthy controls. Plasma osteopontin, tissue osteopontin mRNA, and tissue osteopontin protein levels were significantly lower in patients with PTC and HT than in those with PTC alone. In advanced disease stage cases, osteopontin mRNA and protein expression levels were lower in patients with PTC and HT than in those with PTC alone. However, the osteopontin expression level was not significantly associated with the TNM stage. Conclusions: Plasma osteopontin, tissue osteopontin mRNA, and tissue osteopontin protein levels were significantly lower in patients with PTC and HT than in those with PTC alone, suggesting that HT attenuates PTC aggressiveness through negative regulation of osteopontin expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10217-10223
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• 2015

Hyperactivated ${\alpha}2$-6-sialylation on N-glycans due to overexpression of the Golgi enzyme ${\beta}$-galactoside: ${\alpha}2$-6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal-I) often correlates with cancer progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis. This study was aimed to determine the association between ST6Gal-I expression and the risk of recurrence and survival of patients with localized clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) following surgery. We retrospectively enrolled 391 patients (265 in training cohort and 126 in validation cohort) with localized ccRCC underwent nephrectomy at a single center. Tissue microarrays were constructed for immunostaining of ST6Gal-I. Prognostic value and clinical outcomes were evaluated. High ST6Gal-I expression was associated with Fuhrman grade (p<0.001 and p=0.016, respectively) and the University of California Los-Angeles Integrated Staging System (UISS) score (p=0.004 and p=0.017, respectively) in both cohorts. Patients with high ST6Gal-I expression had significantly worse overall survival (OS) (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) and recurrence free survival (RFS) (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively) than those with low expression in both cohorts. On multivariate analysis, ST6Gal-I expression remained associated with OS and RFS even after adjusting for the UISS score. Stratified analysis suggested that the association is more pronounced among patients with low and intermediate-risk disease defined by the UISS score. High ST6Gal-I expression is a potential independent adverse predictor of survival and recurrence in ccRCC patients, and the prognostic value is most prominent in those with low and intermediate-risk disease defined by the UISS score.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10209-10215
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• 2015

To assess the contribution of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF){\beta}$ +252 polymorphisms to risk and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we enrolled 150 pairs of sex- and age-matched patients with HCC, patients with cirrhosis alone, and unrelated healthy controls. $TNF{\beta}$ +252 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multivariate analysis indicated that $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype [odds ratio (OR), 3.64; 95%CI, 1.49-8.91], hepatitis B surface antigen (OR, 16.38; 95%CI, 8.30-32.33), and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) (OR, 39.11; 95%CI, 14.83-103.14) were independent risk factors for HCC. There was an additive interaction between $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HCV infection (synergy index=1.15). Multivariate analysis indicated that factors associated with $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype included cirrhosis with Child-Pugh C (OR, 4.06; 95%CI, 1.34-12.29), thrombocytopenia (OR, 6.55; 95%CI, 1.46-29.43), and higher serum ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein concentration (OR, 2.53; 95%CI, 1.14-5.62). Patients with $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype had poor cumulative survival (p=0.005). Cox proportional hazard model indicated that $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype was a biomarker for poor HCC survival (hazard ratio, 1.70; 95%CI, 1.07-2.69). In conclusion, there are independent and additive effects between $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype and chronic HBV/HCV infection on risk for HCC. It is a biomarker for poor HCC survival. Carriage of this genotype correlates with disease severity and advanced hepatic fibrosis, which may contribute to a higher risk and poor survival of HCC. Chronic HBV/HCV infected subjects with this genotype should receive more intensive surveillance for early detection of HCC.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2005

Objectives : This study looked at the symptoms of alexithymia in schizophrenia and their association with clinical variables and schizophrenic symptomatology. Methods Consecutive fifty eight inpatients with DSM-IV diagnoses of schizophrenia completed 26item version of Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised(SCL-90-R), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS). Results : Authors did not find any correlation between scores of PANSS and TAS. However, all the subscale scores of SCL-90-R were significantly correlated with total score of TAS. Also, 'difficulty identifying and deistinguishing between feelings and bodily sensations' and 'difficulty describing feelings' significantly correlated with SCL-90-R subscale scores. 'Reduced daydreaming' had mixed findings and 'externally oriented thinking' did not correlate. Multiple regression model included Global Severity Index of SCL-90-R accounting 28.2% of variance for TAS scores. Conclusion : These findings together with discrepancy in results between objective and subjective tests suggest that alexithymia in schizophrenia may have two constructs, 'difficulty to describe and communicate feelings(state)' and 'externally oriented thinking(trait)' Authors suggest further study needs to confirm construct validity of TAS in this population.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2012

Objectives : With the increase in cancer prevalence, the health behavior of cancer survivors has become an important issue. This study was conducted to examine the psychosocial correlates of behavior changes after cancer diagnosis. Methods : 95 patients completed questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, insomnia, posttraumatic stress symptoms, social constraints, personal beliefs about cancer cause and health-related behavior changes after cancer diagnosis. Results : In the multiple logistic regression analysis, insomnia was the only significant predictor of positive change in physical behavior : normal sleep group(Odds ratio=9.462, 95% CI 1.738-51.509) and subthreshold insomnia group(Odds ratio=10.529, 95% CI 1.701-65.161) showed a larger increase compared to the insomnia group. In psychosocial behavior, low age, religion and causal belief in hormonal factors were independent factors that predicted increase in positive change. Conclusions : This study showed a difference between predictors of physical and psychosocial health behavior change after breast cancer diagnosis. Multi-faceted approaches are required to promote positive change in health behavior in cancer patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 1988

Various Benzylacyclouridine (BAU, HM-BAU, suc-BAU, BBAU, HMBBAU, suc-BBAU, and BBBAU) developed as specifc inhibitors of uridine phosphorylase (UrdPase), inhibit transport (zero-trans influx) of ridine (Urd) in human erythrocytes. The inhibition pattern of these compounds is competitive, though suc-BBAU and BBBAU show a slight noncompetivieness. The order of potency as an inhibitor of the nucleoside transport system is BBAU ${\sim}$ HM-BBAU ${\sim}$ suc-BBAU > BBBAU > BAU ${\sim}$ suc-BAU ${\sim}$ HM-BAU ($K_1$ values of 19, 23, 38, 112, 124, 174 and 176 ${\mu}M$, respectively). These data indicate that there is a differnece in potency of Urd transport inhibition between the analogs of BAU and BBAU. Further, the potency correlates with the hydrophobicity of the compound, but it has a limit in the size of $C_5$ substitution. Abbreviation: BAU (5-benzylacyclouridine), 5-benzyl-1-(2'-hydroxyethoxymethyl) uracil; HM-BAU (3'-hydroxymethyl-BAU), 5-benzyl-1- [(1',3'-dihydroxy-2-propoxy) methyl]uracil; suc-BAU, 3'-succinyl-BAU; BBAU (benzyloxybenzylacyclouridine), 5-( m-benzyloxybenByl)-1-(2'-hydroxyethoxymethyl)uracil; HM-BBAU (3'-hydroxymethyl-BBAU), 5-(m-benzyloxybenzyl)-1- [(1'3'-dihyd.oxy-2-p.epoxy)methyll u.acil; suc-BAU, 3'-succinyl-BBAU; BBBAU, 5- f 3-(4-benzyloxyben-Eyl)benzyll -1-(2'-hydroxyethoxymethyl)uracil; Urdpase, uridine phosphorylase; Urd, Uridine; Fd-Urd, 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine; AcThd, aoyclothyrnidine; AcUrd, acyclouridine; dThd, thymidine; NBMPR, nitrobenzylthioisone; FUra, 5-fluorouracil.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.205-214
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• 2020

This study was undertaken to identify the impact of bad customer behavior, job burnout, and positive psychological capital, on the job embeddedness of nurses. Data was collected from July 1 to July 31, 2019 using a structured questionnaire, enrolling 198 nurses working at three general hospitals located in 2 metropolitan cities. Data were analyzed by applying t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe' test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression, using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Our results indicate that bad customer behavior significantly correlates with job burnout (r=0.24, p=<0.001), positive psychological capital (r=-0.37, p=<0.001), and job embeddedness (r=-0.48, p=<0.001). Moreover, job burnout had a positive impact on psychological capital (r=-0.44, p=<0.001) and job embeddedness (r=-0.31, p=<0.001), whereas positive psychological capital impacted job embeddedness (r=0.49, p=<0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that bad customer behavior (β=-0.34, p<0.001), positive psychological capital (β=0.32, p=0.004), and position (β=-0.19, p=0.001) had maximum influence (38%) on the level of job embeddedness experienced by nurses. Taken together, results of this study indicate that in order to increase the level of job embeddedness of nurses, it is necessary to develop strategies that eradicate and manage bad customer behavior, and also develop programs that strengthen and develop positive psychological capital.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

The common features of the behavioral inhibition and the action monitoring that are considered as one of the executive functions were investigated using event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and source localization analysis. The electrophysiological correlates of behavioral inhibition and action monitoring ate analyzed when the subjects performed the Go/NoGo task. Two ERP components of behavioral inhibition termed as N200 and P300 in NoGo condition were differ from those of Go condition, that is the amplitudes of NoGo N200 and P300 are largest on the fronto-central region, which may reflect the inhibitory control of frontal lobe required in NoGo condition. The error-related negativity (ERN) observed on the fronto-central region when the subjects committed error was much larger in amplitude and faster in latency than those of the correct-related negativity (CRN), which may indicate that the signal of action monitoring is much more required for the error response. The correlation analysis for the ERP components of behavioral inhibition and action monitoring revealed the significant negative correlation among the latencies of NoGo N200 and P300 and the amplitude of ERN, which may reflects that the faster subjects inhibit response, the more monitor their own action. The close relationship between behavioral inhibition and action monitoring was also supported by the results of source localization analysis, which showed the common neural sources of NoGo N200 and ERN was anterior cingulate cortex.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2012

This study evaluated the effect of fish oil rich in n-3 fatty acids on bone characteristics in Sprague-Dawley rats. Weanling male rats were randomized to receive either a diet containing high fish oil (FO), fish oil blended with corn oil (FICO), or soy oil rich in n-6 fatty acids (SO) for 4 weeks. All diets provided 70 g/kg fat based on the AIN-93G diet. Growth and biomarkers of bone metabolism were analyzed, and femur bone characteristics were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. After the dietary treatment, no significant differences among the diet groups were observed for serum concentrations of Ca, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, or osteocalcin. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly greater in FO-fed rats compared to that in the FICO and SO groups, whereas no difference in deoxypyridinoline values was observed, supporting the positive effect of a FO diet on bone formation. These results were accompanied by a significant increase in femur bone mineral density (BMD) in FO-fed rats. These findings suggest that providing fish oil rich in n-3 fatty acids correlates with higher alkaline phosphatase activity and BMD values, favoring bone formation in growing rats.