• Title/Summary/Keyword: the American West

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Influence of Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension on Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Meta-analysis

  • Tang, Yun-Hao;Zhu, Wen-Jiang;Wen, Tian-Fu
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.4
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    • pp.1649-1654
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    • 2014
  • Background: Clinically significant portal hypertension (PHT) is considered as a contraindication for hepatectomy according to the guidelines of the European Association for Study of Liver and the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases. However, this issue remains controversial. Here we performed a metaanalysis to evaluate the impact of PHT on the results of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Cohort studies evaluating the impact of clinically significant PHT, defined as oesophageal varices and/or splenomegaly associated with thrombocytopenia, on the results of hepatectomy for HCC were identified using a predefined search strategy. Summary risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for PHT and outcomes after hepatectomy for HCC were calculated. Results: Seven cohort studies which including 574 cases with PHT and 1,354 cases without PHT were considered eligible for inclusion. The meta-analysis showed that, in all patients, pooled RRs of post-operative liver failure, post-operative ascites, peri-operative blood transfusion, operative mortality, 3- and 5-year overall survival associated with PHT were 2.23 (95% CI: 1.48-3.34, P=0.0001), 1.77 (95% CI: 1.19-2.64, P=0.005), 1.23 (95% CI: 1.03-1.49, P=0.03), 2.58 (95% CI: 1.12-5.96, P=0.03), 0.82 (95% CI: 0.75-0.88, P<0.00001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69-0.85, P<0.00001), respectively. In subgroup analysis, similar results were found in Child-Pugh class A patients. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that presence of oesophageal varices and/or splenomegaly associated with thrombocytopenia is associated with higher rates of post-operative complications and poor long-term survival after hepatectomy for HCC.

Tsunami Forecasting along the East Coast of Korea (한국 동해안의 지진해일(Tsunami) 예측)

  • 추교승
    • Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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    • 1997.10a
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    • pp.57-69
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    • 1997
  • All of the Tsumami which affected severly the east coast of the Korean Peninsula in the years 1741-1993 are caused by earthquakes occurred along the boundary sea of Japan and norther Honshu. These earthquakes with magnitude greater than 7.0 are results of relative movement between the North American Plate and Urasian Plate. The active fault along the boundary of the two plates is attracted by many researchers since the 1983 May earthquake of magnitude 7.7. It is important to anticipate when the next large earthquake will occur and how much it affect the east coast of Korea. Among a few models of spatial seismic gap were proposed for earthquake occurrences accompanying Tsunami, Ishikawas' east-west seismic gap model is the most probable one. There is a tendency that the period between the activities of the active faults becomes shorter. It is expected that a large earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or above will occur along the eastern boundary of Japan Sea at the end of this century and produce Tsunami at the east coast of Korea.

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Active international exchange measures in the Covid-19 era (Covid-19 시대의 적극적인 국제교류방안)

  • Park, Tim
    • Journal of the International Relations & Interdisciplinary Education
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.36-45
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    • 2021
  • Due to Covid-19, international programs at the universities in the US have been temporarily on hold (or terminated). To recover from the great damage that the pandemic has brought to us, we have made our transition to provide international education via online. University of Hawaii - West Oahu has been actively coping with the impact from pandemic, and would like to propose unconventional methods of international programs to the fellow universities in Korea.

Modulations of Bcl-2/Bax Families were Involved in The Chemopreventive Effects of Licorice Root in Mcf-7 Human Breast Cancer Cell

  • Jo, Eun-Hye;Hong, Hee-Do;Kim, Sung-Hun;Lee, Yong-Soon;Kang, Kyung-Sun
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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    • 2003.10b
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    • pp.111-111
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    • 2003
  • Recently, cancer chemoprevention with strategies using foods and medicinal herbs has been regarded as one of the most visible fields for cancer control. The genistein in soy, the American ginseng and the resveratrol in a grape are well known as that has antiproliferative properties in human breast cancer.(omitted)

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A New Challenge to Korean American Religious Identity: Cultural Crisis in Korean American Christianity

  • Ro, Young-Chan
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.18
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    • pp.53-79
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    • 2004
  • This paper explores the relationship between Korean immigrants to the United States and their religious identity from the cultural point of view. Most scholarly studies on Korean immigrants in the United States have been dominated by sociological approach and ethnic studies in examining the social dimension of the Korean immigrant communities while neglecting issues concerning their religious identity and cultural heritage. Most Korean immigrants to America attend Korean churches regardless their religious affiliation before they came to America. One of the reasons for this phenomenon is the fact that Korean church has provided a necessary social service for the newly arrived immigrants. Korean churches have been able to play a key role in the life of Korean immigrants. Korean immigrants, however, have shown a unique aspect regarding their religious identity compared to other immigrants communities in the United States. America is a nation of immigrants, coming from different parts of the world. Each immigrant community has brought their unique cultural heritage and religious persuasion. Asian immigrants, for example, brought their own traditional religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism. People from the Middle Eastern countries brought Islamic faith while European Jews brought the Jewish tradition. In these immigrant communities, religious identity and cultural heritage were homo genously harmonized. Jewish people built synagogue and taught Hebrew, Jewish history, culture, and faith. In this case, synagogue was not only the house of worship for Jews but also the center for learning Jewish history, culture, faith, and language. In short, Jewish cultural history was intimately related to Jewish religious history; for Jewish immigrants, learning their social and political history was indeed identical with leaning of their religious history. The same can be said about the relationship between Indian community and Hinduism. Hindu temples serve as the center of Indian immigrantsin providing the social, cultural, and spiritual functions. Buddhist temples, for that matter, serve the same function to the people from the Asian countries. Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Tibetans, and Thais have brought their respective Buddhist traditions to America and practice and maintain both their religious faith and cultural heritage. Middle Eastern people, for example, have brought Islamic faith to the United States, and Mosques have become the center for learning their language, practicing their faith, and maintaining their cultural heritage. Korean immigrants, unlike any other immigrant group, have brought Christianity, which is not a Korean traditional religion but a Western religion they received in 18th and 19th centuries from the West and America, back to the United States, and church has become the center of their lives in America. In this context, Koreans and Korean-Americans have a unique situation in which they practice Christianity as their religion but try to maintain their non-Christian cultural heritage. For the Korean immigrants, their religious identity and cultural identity are not the same. Although Korean church so far has provides the social and religious functions to fill the need of Korean immigrants, but it may not be able to become the most effective institution to provide and maintain Korean cultural heritage. In this respect, Korean churches must be able to open to traditional Korean religions or the religions of Korean origin to cultivate and nurture Korean cultural heritage.

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Clinical Effects of Korean Ginseng, Korean Red Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, and American Ginseng on Blood Pressure in Mild Hypertensive Subjects

  • Choi, Dong-Jun;Jung, Woo-Sang;Park, Seong-Uk;Han, Chang-Ho;Lee, Won-Chul;Cho, Ki-Ho
    • The Journal of Korean Medicine
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.198-208
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    • 2006
  • Background : Ginseng has traditionally been used in oriental countries to recover vital energy from Qi deficiency, and has shown various biomedical effects in the scientific literature. Recent reports suggest that ginseng could regulate blood pressure (BP), but much controversy still remains. Therefore, we intended to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of several ginseng types frequently used in clinics. We also investigated the anti-hypertensive effect on Koreans and Chinese, and by the body type according to Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). Methods : The study subjects were recruited from mildly hypertensive patients who exhibited pre-hypertension(120/80 to 139/89 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (140/90 to 159/99 mmHg) in Korea and China. After assigning the subjects into a Korean, a Chinese, a red, and an American ginseng group by randomization, we prescribed ginseng at a dose of 4.5 g per day for 4 weeks. To assess the anti-hypertensive effect, we compared the mean of systolic and diastolic BP between before and after ginseng medication using a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (24 hr ABPM. We also monitored adverse effect and laboratory findings to secure the subjects' safety. In addition, all of the subjects in Korea consulted a specialist of Sasang Constitution Medicine to identify their constitutional type. Results : There were 64 subjects treated with Korean ginseng, 58 treated with Chinese ginseng, 33 treated with red ginseng, and 64 treated with American ginseng. Korean, Chinese, and American ginseng all reduced subjects' BP; Korean and Chinese ginseng showed more effect. The secondary analysis on the subjects' nationality revealed that all of the ginseng types showed more significant anti-hypertensive effect in Chinese patients than in Koreans. The third analysis on the constitutional type of SCM showed there was no significant difference in the effectiveness and the safety of ginseng among the constitutional types. Conclusions : We suggest ginseng, especially Panax ginseng without any steaming-drying process, could be useful for mild hypertension. Further, ginseng is safe regardless of subjects' constitutional type or type of ginseng within a dosage of 4.5g per day.

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American ginseng significantly reduced the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced colon carcinogenesis in ApcMin/+ mice

  • Yu, Chunhao;Wen, Xiao-Dong;Zhang, Zhiyu;Zhang, Chun-Feng;Wu, Xiaohui;He, Xin;Liao, Yang;Wu, Ningning;Wang, Chong-Zhi;Du, Wei;He, Tong-Chuan;Yuan, Chun-Su
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.39 no.3
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    • pp.230-237
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    • 2015
  • Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West. Methods: A genetically engineered $Apc^{Min/+}$ mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis. Results: After oral ginseng administration (10-20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.

Significance of Non HDL-cholesterol and Triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol Ratio as Predictors for Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Elderly (한국 노인의 대사증후군 예측인자로서 혈중 Non HDL 콜레스테롤과 중성지방/HDL 콜레스테롤 비의 의의)

  • Hong, Seung Bok;Shin, Kyung-A
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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    • v.50 no.3
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    • pp.245-252
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    • 2018
  • We evaluated the possible clinical application of Non HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio as a metabolic syndrome predictor for the elderly in Korea. 1,543 elderly persons aged 65 years or older who visited the health examination center of Gyeonggi Regional General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2017 and had a health checkup were enrolled in this study. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) standards. Abdominal obesity was assessed by the Asia-Pacific standards presented at the World Health Organization (WHO) West Pacific Region. Non-HDL-cholesterol was calculated as the difference between total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. The metabolic syndrome predictive power was higher for triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio than for Non HDL-cholesterol. After correcting for related factors, triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio was higher in the $4^{th}$ quartile, which had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, than in the $1^{st}$ quartile. The optimal cutoff value for the triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio that predicts the onset of metabolic syndrome was 2.8. triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio can be a simple and practical indicator of the risk of metabolic syndrome.

A Study on Implications of the naval Strategy in West Germany and Future Direction of Korean Navy (냉전기 서독해군 전략의 시사점과 향후 대한민국 해군의 방향성에 관한 연구)

  • Shin, Hong-Jung
    • Strategy21
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    • s.46
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    • pp.159-204
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    • 2020
  • This study is written to bring the proposal forward for the direction of south korean naval force. The political situation and the circumstance of the world, especially in the area of Pacific Ocean, are changing very rapidly. North Korea has been always the conventional existing intimidator for South Korea since the 6·25-War. Additionally, the strengthening movements of the national defense, which is easily noticed from China and Russia, is also an other part of intimidating countries against South Korea. Those three mentioned countries are continually developing the asymmetrical warfare systems, for example a strategic nuclear weapon. Since the Obama Administration, the Asia-Pacific Rebalancing-Strategy has been changed as an East Asian foreign policy. Nowadays, Trump Administration renamed the 'United States Pacific-Command' to 'United States Indo-Pacific Command'. The purpose of this is not only letting India to participate in american alliance, but also reducing an economic burden, which is often mentioned in USA. West Germany was located in the very similar geopolitical position during the Cold War just like South Korea these days. And that's why the strategy of West German Navy is worthy of notice for south korean naval force to decide its suitable strategy. Most of all, the two most important things to refer to this study are the plan to expand naval air force and the realistic political stand for us to take it. In conclusion, I laid an emphasis on maintenance of 'green-water-navy'. instead of selecting the strategy as a 'blue-water-navy'. The reason I would like to say, is that south korean navy is not available to hold the unnecessary war potential, just like Aircraft-Carrier. However, this is not meaning to let the expansion of naval force carelessly. We must search the best solution in order to maintain the firm peace within the situation. To fulfill this concept, it is mostly very important to maintain the stream of laying down a keel of destroyers, submarines and air-defense-missile, as well as the hight-tech software system, taking a survey of 4th industrial revolution. Research and development for the best solution of future aircraft by south korean navy is likewise necessary. Besides, we must also set the international diplomatic flexibly. As well as maintaining the relationship with US Forces, it is also very important to improve the relationship with other potential allied nation.

Culture, Empire, and Nation: A Critical Appropriation of Edward Said's Culture and Imperialism (문화, 제국, 민족 -비판적 전유를 위한 에드워드 사이드의 『문화와 제국주의』 읽기)

  • Koh, Boo Eung
    • Journal of English Language & Literature
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    • v.58 no.5
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    • pp.903-941
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    • 2012
  • This essay examines Edward Said's Culture and Imperialism focusing on the concepts of 'culture,' 'empire,' and 'nation'. The approach is critical, theoretical, and historical rather than explicatory. Consequently, the range of the essay is not limited to Said's own explanation and argument about Western imperialism and its culture presented in the book. In doing this, this essay finally purposes to be a discursive resistance to the current global empire, the United States, via a critical reading of Said's work. Said's notion of culture is set upon to disclose the function of culture as an apparatus of ideological consent of the dominated to the dominant. When applied to imperial practice, Western culture functions to subject the colonized to the colonizer. Said's geographical approach to imperialism complements the historical understanding of imperialism. Imperialism is not only the practice of Western-centered historicism but also the spatially mutual interaction between the West and the rest of the world. Along with European imperialism, Said poses the current global empire of the United States as his main target of criticism. Said's problem is that he takes the United States as a nation-state. When examined, the United States is not a nation-state, but today's empire. The empire in the appearance of the nation-state United States does not work for the interest of the American nation, that is, the American people. The empire is the transnational and postnational political and economic institution that works for the interest of global capital. In order to resist the current global empire, this essay suggests that the building or restoration of nation-states with its basic principle of people's sovereignty is in need.