• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.240-247
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• 2017

The increased investigation of the cerebral arteries with magnetic resonance angiography has resulted in an increase in the identification of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Knowledge of the distribution and factors associated with UIAs might be helpful for understanding the pathological mechanism of unruptured aneurysms. This study examined patients who visited a health care center and had a health examination from January 2007 to December 2016. Subjects who underwent magnetic resonance angiography with a health examination at the Health Screening were enrolled in this study. The incidence and risk factors of UIAs (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol, and coronary artery disease) were investigated by comparing the size (more than 3 mm vs. less than 3 mm) and multiple aneurysm (single vs. multiple aneurysms). The frequency of aneurysm according to the site was also analyzed. Among the 187166 subjects, who received a health examination, 18954 underwent magnetic resonance angiography. Of them, 367 (1.93%) had UIAs. A comparison of the size of more than 3 mm and less than 3 mm showed that the mean age of the more than 3 mm group of patients was significantly higher than the other size groups (more than 3 mm $57.16{\pm}8.47$ vs. less than 3 mm $55.12{\pm}8.19$; p=0.07). High-density lipoprotein was significantly higher in the more than 3 mm group than in the less than 3 mm($55.95{\pm}16.03$ vs. less than 3 mm $50.85{\pm}13.65$; p=0.007). Hypertension was significantly higher in the multiple aneurysm group (single 153 in 399 (38.3%) VS multiple 19 in 35 (54.3%); p=0.065). An aneurysm of less than 3 mm in size was frequent in the distal internal carotid artery (34.3%) and MCA-bifurcation (16.4%) (p=0.003). Aneurysms of more than 3 mm were frequent in the distal internal carotid artery (43.4%) and MCA-bifurcation (13.4%), and anterior communicating artery (13.4%) (p=0.003). The difference in size and single or multiple aneurysm revealed other risk factors. These risk factors suggest that degenerative and hemodynamic disorders may lead to the presence of aneurysms.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.355-360
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• 2010

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus), which is commonly found in raw seafood, causes gastroenteritis in humans. Rapid and effective methods have been developed as culture methods require up to 5-7 days. In this study, real-time PCR was compared with the standard culture method for detecting V. parahaemolyticus in seafood and radish sprout samples. Five hundred grams of the samples were artificially contaminated with V. parahaemolyticus then divided into 20 samples. The samples were incubated in alkaline peptone water and then streaked onto thiosulfate-citrate-bile saltssucrose agar. Biochemical tests for suspicious colonies were performed using the API 20NE strip. In parallel, real-time PCR was performed targeting the toxR gene using the enrichment broth. The real-time PCR was sensitive in discriminating V. parahaemolyticus from other foodborne pathogens. The detection limit of the real-time PCR was $10^3\;CFU/mL$ in phosphate-buffered saline. Although the real-time PCR detected more positive samples (76 out of 180, 42%) than the culture method (66 out of 180, 37%), there was no significant statistical difference (p>0.05) between the two methods. In conclusion, real-time PCR assays could be an alternative to the standard culture method for detecting V. parahaemolyticus in seafood and radish sprouts, which has many advantages in terms of detection time, labor, and sensitivity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6857-6862
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• 2015

Background: To identify the optimal cost effective strategy for the management of women having ASC-US who attended at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KMCH). Design: An Economical Analysis based on a retrospective study. Subject: The women who were referred to the gynecological department due to screening result of ASC-US at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, a general and tertiary referral center in Bangkok Thailand, from Jan 2008 - Dec 2012. Materials and Methods: A decision tree-based was constructed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of three follow up strategies in the management of ASC-US results: repeat cytology, triage with HPV testing and immediate colposcopy. Each ASC-US woman made the decision of each strategy after receiving all details about this algorithm, advantages and disadvantages of each strategy from a doctor. The model compared the incremental costs per case of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) detected as measured by incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Results: From the provider's perspective, immediate colposcopy is the least costly strategy and also the most effective option among the three follow up strategies. Compared with HPV triage, repeat cytology triage is less costly than HPV triage, whereas the latter provides a more effective option at an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 56,048 Baht per additional case of CIN 2+ detected. From the patient's perspective, the least costly and least effective is repeat cytology triage. Repeat colposcopy has an incremental cost-effectiveness (ICER) of 2,500 Baht per additional case of CIN2+ detected when compared to colposcopy. From the sensitivity analysis, immediate colposcopy triage is no longer cost effective when the cost exceeds 2,250 Baht or the cost of cytology is less than 50 Baht (1USD = 31.58 THB). Conclusions: In women with ASC-US cytology, colposcopy is more cost-effective than repeat cytology or triage with HPV testing for both provider and patient perspectives.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of systemic chronic inflammatory state on dry eye syndrome as a local chronic inflammatory condition. From June 16, 2016 to December 31, 2016, 726 patients who visited the general health examination center were screened using the Schirmer's test and the metabolic syndrome screening test. A total of 214 patients who were studied for hs-CRP and HbA1c were simultaneously selected for the study as well. Dry eye syndrome significantly increased in higher age groups (p<0.001) and women (p=0.020); there was no significant relationship with fasting plasma glucose, hs-CRP. In addition, as HbA1c increased the risk for dry eye syndrome also increased (β=1.960, p=0.025). Therefore, dry eye syndrome may not caused by microvascular changes in the lacrimal gland due to chronic inflammatory conditions. In diabetic patients, long-term blood glucose control may be more important than short-term blood glucose control. The high prevalence of dry eye syndrome in diabetic patients is thought to be due to autonomic dysfunction rather than microvascular changes caused by chronic inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.325-333
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• 2011

This study was carried out to evaluate biological activities to different ethanol extracts from unripened and ripened fruit (Rubus coreanus Miq.). 25% to 75% ethanol extracts of unripened and ripened fruits were similar to extract yield respectively. Yield of ethanol extract of ripened fruit were approximately 3 times higher than that of unripened fruit. 75% ethanol extract of unripened fruit showed the highest contents of total polyphenol ($180.04{\pm}0.41$ mg/g) and total flavonoid ($50.43{\pm}0.81$ mg/g). Contents of total polyphenol and total flavonoid of unripened fruit were about 2 times higher than those of ripened fruit. $IC_{50}$ values of DPPH radical scavenging activity and linoleic acid peroxidation inhibition activity of BHA and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol showed $13.19{\pm}0.21$ and $18.16{\pm}0.23{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $4.25{\pm}0.04{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $5.56{\pm}0.10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ respectively, but 75% ethanol extract of unripened fruit showed the lowest $23.85{\pm}0.10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $7.34{\pm}0.07{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ among other all extracts. $IC_{50}$ values of LDL (low density lipoprotein) oxidation inhibition activity and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity of 75% ethanol extract of unripened fruit showed the lowest $1.04{\pm}0.04{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $7.21{\pm}0.13{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ among other all extracts respectively. Specifically, 75% ethanol extract of unripened fruit has relatively better biological activities than other ethanol extracts, it could be potentially used as bioactive source for health functional foods.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1201-1209
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to isolate probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that produce bile salt hydrolase (BSH), and to evaluate its effects on serum cholesterol level. One-hundred-twenty bacterial colonies were initially isolated from human feces, and five strains were selected after screening based on their resistance to acids, tolerance against bile salts, and inhibitory activity on Escherichia coli. The Lactobacillus plantarum strain with the highest level of BSH activity was identified using 16S rRNA sequences, and was named L. plantarum CK 102. L. plantarum CK 102 at a level of 1.36$\times$10$^8$cfu/ml survived in pH 2 buffer for 6 h and exhibited excellent tolerance for bile salt. Coculturing the strain with E. coli in MRS broth resulted in strong inhibition against growth of E. coli at 18 h. Furthermore, the potential effect of CK 102 on serum cholesterol level was evaluated in rats. Thirty-two rats [Sprague-Dawley (SD) male, 129$\pm$l g, 5 weeks old] were divided into four groups of eight each. For six weeks, Group 1 was fed a normal diet (negative control); Group 2 was fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (positive control); Group 3 was fed a cholesterol-enriched diet plus L. plantarum CK 102 at 1.0$\times$10$^7$cfu/ml; and Group 4 was fed a cholesterol-enriched diet plus L. plantarum CK 102 at 5.0$\times$10$^7$cfu/ml. Blood samples were collected, serum lipids were analyzed, and weights of the organs were measured. Total blood cholesterol level, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, and free-cholesterol values were lower in rats that were fed 1. plantarum CK 102 than in those not fed L. plantarum CK 102. This cholesterol lowering effect implies that L. plantarum CK 102 could be utilized as an additive for health-assistance foods. In conclusion, these results suggest that the 1. plantarum CK 102 isolated could be used commercially as a probiotic.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2016

Background: Prevalence of adenoma in males aged 40-49 years in Korea was higher than expected. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of colorectal adenoma in males aged 40-49 years. Methods: Total 1,902 asymptomatic subjects with a mean age of $47.9{\pm}6.7years$, who underwent a screening colonoscopy in a health promotion center of Myongji Hospital from 2010 to 2013 were enrolled in this study. We conducted a case-control study to determine the risk factors for adenoma. The subjects were classified into two groups (adenoma vs. controls). To validate the diagnostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for adenoma, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated. Results: At least one colorectal adenoma was identified in 385 subjects (20.2%). Among these 385 subjects, 372 subjects were found to have a non-advanced adenoma, 13 subjects had an invasive adenoma. One subject had cancer. Male sex, age, smoking, metabolic syndrome, and elevated CEA level were significantly associated with a colorectal adenoma in univariate analysis. However, metabolic syndrome was not significant in multivariate analysis. In the male group, the AUROC of CEA for colorectal adenoma was 0.600 (0.543 to 0.656) in non-smokers under 50 years of age, and 0.615 (0.540 to 0.690) in smokers under 50 years of age. Conclusion: Male sex, smoking, and high levels of CEA seem to be associated with colorectal adenoma. High levels of CEA and smoking may be diagnostic markers for any colorectal adenoma in Korean males aged 40-49 years.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.430-442
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• 1997

Due to the lowering of biological functions resulted from old age, the elderly is known to have many different clinical laboratory data compared with the young adults. But, in korea, such study is lacking. This research is to find the differences between the elderly and the young adults, and also to know the sexual differences, by comparing the outcomes of the clinical. laboratory data. Along with that, it is to help clinical usage of the data in the future. The age of the elderly was between 60 and 83(average age 63.8), and that of the young. controls was between 20 and 35. In both sexes, MCV, MCH, ESR, CRP, AST, ALT, ${\gamma}$GTP, ALP, BUN, total cholesterol were significantly higher in the elderly than in the controls. And lymphocyte count(%), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total protein, albumin, $T_3$ were significantly lower in the elderly than in the controls(P<0.05). Hemoglobin, Hct, platelet count, $T_4$ were significantly lower only in the male elderly, and eosinophil count(%), creatinine were significantly higher only in the female elderly(P<0.05). HDL cholesterol was significantly higher only in the male elderly(P<0.01). There were no significant difference between two groups regarding WBC count, segment neutrophil count(%), monocyte count(%), TSH. Many clinical laboratory data are different between the elderly and the young adults, and some clinical laboratory data also have sexual differences.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7445-7449
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the one of the most common cancers in women. It is also a leading cause of death. Unfortunately, some patients initially present with distant metastases and are diagnosed with stage IV disease that is nearly always, by then, incurable. This retrospective analysis investigated the risk factors for stage IV BC that may underlie such late presentation. Materials and Methods: In all, 916 patients with BC who visited the medical oncology polyclinic of eight different centres in Turkeybetween December 2011 and January 2013 were analysed. Results: A total of 115 patients (12.6%) presented with stage IV disease. In univariate analysis; to comparing these with patients at other stages, no statistical difference was found for median diagnosis age or age at menarche (p=0.611 and p=0.820), whereas age at menopause and age at first live birth were significant (p=0.018 and p=0.003). No difference was detected in terms of accompanying diseases, use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, smoking, alcohol consumption and the rate of family history of BC between the patients (p=0.655, p=0.389, p=0.762, p=0.813, p=0.229, p=0.737). However, screening methods were employed less often, the rate of illiteracy was higher, and the rate of other cancers was higher in patients with stage IV BC (p=0.022, p=0.022, p=0.018). No statistical difference was observed between the patients in terms of tumour histopathology, and status of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor-2 receptor (p=0.389, p=0.326, p=0.949, p=0.326). Grade 3 tumours were more frequent in patients with stage IV disease (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, risk factors for stage IV breast cancer at the time of presentation were found to be age at first live birth and educational level (p=0.003 and p=0.047). Conclusions: Efforts should be made to perform mammography scans, in particular, at regular intervals through national training programs for all women, particularly those with family histories of breast and other types of cancer, and to establish early diagnosis of BC long before it proceeds to stage IV. Additionally, women's education had better be upgraded. In order to make women aware of BC, national education-programmes must be organised.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.577-584
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• 2020

In this study, the number of non-English speaking visitors is increasing day by day, and accordingly, there was a limitation in language communication and communication during radiographic examination. To this end, after distributing the handbook produced for inspection, the improvement effect of before and after explanation was examined. The score scale was not statistically significant as to whether it was the test site or not, and the degree of discomfort of the test, the degree of understanding of the breathing guidelines, and the satisfaction of the test description were improved and the score scale was improved before and after the description of the guide. Non-English-speaking foreign visitors were more satisfied with explanations in their own text than in English or Korean, and the method was also able to conduct effective inspections by informing the foreign guests when to control their breathing by using the lighting signals in the laboratory. In the future, the quality of medical services and imaging medical examinations can be improved only when communication methods are implemented from various perspectives, such as developing various language interpretation programs, developing guides for various test sites, and developing tools and improving foreign language skills of radiologists and medical staff. There will be. In the future, it may be used as a basic resource to prepare a manual that can be used to examine non-English speaking foreigners who do not understand English or Korean in other radiology labs.