• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.125-135
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dynamic contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) variables, for axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis in the early stage of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: January 2011-April 2015, 787 patients with early stage of breast cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Only cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, were included in the patient population. Among them, 240 patients who underwent 3.0-T DCE-MRI, including DWI with b value 0 and $800s/mm^2$ were enrolled. MRI variables (adjacent vessel sign, whole-breast vascularity, initial enhancement pattern, quantitative kinetic parameters, signal enhancement ratio (SER), tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), peritumoral ADC, and peritumor-tumor ADC ratio) clinico-pathologic variables (age, T stage, multifocality, extensive intraductal carcinoma component (EIC), estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER-2 status, Ki-67, molecular subtype, histologic grade, and nuclear grade) were compared between patients with axillary lymph node metastasis and those with no lymph node metastasis. Multivariate regression analysis was performed, to determine independent variables associated with ALN metastasis, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), for predicting ALN metastasis was analyzed, for those variables. Results: On breast MRI, moderate or prominent ipsilateral whole-breast vascularity (moderate, odds ratio [OR] 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-9.51 vs. prominent, OR = 15.59, 95% CI 2.52-96.46), SER (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.09-2.59), and peritumor-tumor ADC ratio (OR = 6.77, 95% CI 2.41-18.99), were independently associated with ALN metastasis. Among clinico-pathologic variables, HER-2 positivity was independently associated, with ALN metastasis (OR = 23.71, 95% CI 10.50-53.54). The AUC for combining selected MRI variables and clinico-pathologic variables, was higher than that of clinico-pathologic variables (P < 0.05). Conclusion: SER, moderate or prominent increased whole breast vascularity, and peritumor-tumor ADC ratio on breast MRI, are valuable in predicting ALN metastasis, in patients with early stage of breast cancer.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.8
• /
• pp.294-303
• /
• 2017

As the elderly population increases, the prevalence of various geriatric chronic diseases and dementia diseases is also rapidly increasing; accordingly, dementia is becoming a major concern of our society. In this study, 48 elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment located in K district were selected from a group of experimental groups in one building and a control group in one building and evaluated for blood homocysteine levels and cognitive function changes after 4,8, and 12 weeks of taking vitamin supplements. The Chi-squared test, Fisher's Exact test, independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, contrast test, repeated measures ANCOVA, and Wilks' lambda test were utilized to analyze the data. The results revealed that the cognitive function of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group at 12 weeks (p<0.05), and so, the experimental group higher than that of the control group (p<0.01), the effect of taking vitamins was significantly increased, indicating that homocysteine was decreased relative to the control group. Therefore, vitamin supplements may prevent decreases in cognitive functions and dementia among elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2010

In this work, we report on the characterization of six low-$T_g$ poly[methyl-3-(9-carbazolyl) propylsiloxane] based photorefractive (PR) composites sensitized with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) in different concentrations, ranging from 0.2 to 1 wt %. At 632.8 nm, photoconductivity, space charge field, refractive index modulation, and grating buildup time were measured versus external electric field. The photoconductivity was strongly dependent on the visible light absorption and mobility. The magnitude of space charge field was affected by the conductivity contrast $\sigma_{ph}/(\sigma_{ph}+\sigma_d)$. The refractive index modulation increased with the magnitude of space charge field and the PR grating buildup speed increased with the photoconductivity.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.58-66
• /
• 2009

The thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior of the homologous series of cellulose tri[4-{4'-(nitrophenylazo) phenoxycarbonyl}] alkanoates (NACEn, n=2$\sim$8, 10, the number of methylene units in the spacer) have been investigated. All of the homologoues formed monotropic nematic phases. The isotropic-nematic transition temperature ($T_{iN}$) decreased when n is increased up to 7, but it became almost constant when n is more than 7. The plot of transition entropy at $T_{iN}$ against n had a sharp negative inflection at n=7. The sharp change at n=7 may be attributed to the difference in arrangement of the side groups. The melting temperature ($T_m$) and associated entropy change at $T_m$, in contrast with $T_{iN}$ and associated entropy change at $T_{iN}$, exhibited a distinct odd-even effect, suggesting that the average shape of the side chains in the crystalline phase is different from that in the nematic phase. The thermal stability and degree of order of the nematic phase observed for NACEn were significantly different from those reported for the homologous series of side-chain and combined type liquid crystal polymers bearing azobenzene or biphenyl units in the side chains. The results were discussed in terms of the differences in the chemical structure, the flexibility of the main chain, the mode of chemical linkage of the side group with the main chain, and the number of the mesogenic units per repeating unit.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.153-161
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This study was aimed to compare and contrast the evaluation scores on students OSCE performance between the instructors and students according to the Bloom's taxonomy. Methods: A total of sixty six students in a nursing college in Seoul, Korea and four instructors were recruited in the study. The 28 sophomore students were assigned to an OSCE on intravenous injection, whereas 38 junior students on tracheostomy care. Knowledge levels were measured by the students using the researcher developed knowledge questionnaires, and the attitudes and skills by the students and instructors by the modified clinical performance checklists. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22.0 program. Results: For knowledge, the higher GPA of the previous semester was only significant factor of higher knowledge scores. There were statistically significant differences in scores of total (t=-2.740, p=.008) and skill (t=-2.528, p=0.014), but not in attitude between the instructors and students' evaluations. The students evaluated their skill scores significantly higher than those of the instructors. For knowledge, the higher GPA of the previous semester was the only significant factor of higher knowledge scores. In attitude scores, the students in higher grade significantly overestimated themselves (t=3.076, p=.003). Conclusion: Clinical performance assessment requires methodological validity and reliability for student to attain necessary clinical skills properly and efficiently. The findings of this study mandate various assessment methods for nursing simulation evaluations to be valid.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.9 no.12
• /
• pp.683-690
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of high-b-values diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the preoperative detection of focal rectum cancers. 60patients with diffusion weighted imaging were evaluated for the presence of rectal cancers. Forty were male and twenty were female, and their ages ranged from 38 to 71 (mean, 56) years. Used equipment was 1.5Tesla MRI((GE, General Electric Medical System, Excite HD). Examination protocols were used the fast spin echo T2, T1 weighted imaging. All examination protocols were performed by the same location with diffusion weighted imaging for accuracy detection. The b-values used in DWI were 250, 500, 750, 1000. 1500, 2000$(s/mm^2)$. The rectum, bladder to tumor contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MR images were quantitativlely analyzed using GE software Functool tool, four experienced radiologists and three radiotechnologists qualitatively evaluated image quality in terms of image artifacts, lesion conspicuity and rectal wall. These data were analysed by using ANOVA and Freedman test with each b-value(p<0.05). Contrast to noise ratio of rectum, bladder and tumor in b-value 1000 were 27.21, 24.44, respectively(p<0.05) and aADC value was $0.73\times10^{-3}$. As a qualitative analysis, the conspicuity and discrimination from the rectal wall of lesions were high results as $4.0\pm0.14$, $4.4\pm0.16$ on b-value 1000(p<0.05), image artifacts were high results as $4.8\pm0.25$ on b-value 2000(p<0.05). In conclusion, DWI was provided useful information with depicting the pre-operative detection of rectal cancers, High-b-value 1000 image was the most excellent DWI value.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.2117-2124
• /
• 2013

The binding properties and sequence selectivities of ${\Delta}{\Delta}$- and ${\Lambda}{\Lambda}-[{\mu}-Ru_2(phen)_4(bip)]^{4+}$ (bip = 4,4'-biphenylene (imidazo [4,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline) complexes with $poly[d(A-T)_2]$ and $poly[d(G-C)_2]$ were investigated using conventional spectroscopic methods. When bound to $poly[d(A-T)_2]$, a large positive circular dichroism (CD) spectrum was induced in absorption region of the bridging moiety for both the ${\Delta}{\Delta}$- and ${\Lambda}{\Lambda}-[{\mu}-Ru_2(phen)_4(bip)]^{4+}$ complexes, which suggested that the bridging moiety sits in the minor groove of the polynucleotide. As luminescence intensity increased, decay times became longer and complexes were well-protected from the negatively charged iodide quencher compared to that in the absence of $poly[d(A-T)_2]$. These luminescence measurements indicated that Ru(II) enantiomers were in a less polar environment compared to that in water and supported by minor groove binding. An angle of $45^{\circ}$ between the molecular plane of the bridging moiety of the ${\Delta}{\Delta}-[{\mu}-Ru_2(phen)_4(bip)]^{4+}$ complex and the local DNA helix axis calculated from reduced linear dichroism ($LD^r$) spectrum further supported the minor groove binding mode. In the case of ${\Lambda}{\Lambda}-[{\mu}-Ru_2(phen)_4(bip)]^{4+}$ complex, this angle was $55^{\circ}$, suggesting a tilt of DNA stem near the binding site and bridging moiety sit in the minor groove of the $poly[d(A-T)_2]$. In contrast, neither ${\Delta}{\Delta}$-nor ${\Lambda}{\Lambda}-[{\mu}-Ru_2(phen)_4(bip)]^{4+}$ complex produced significant CD or $LD^r$ signal in the absorption region of the bridging moiety. Luminescence measurements revealed that both the ${\Delta}{\Delta}$- and ${\Lambda}{\Lambda}-[{\mu}-Ru_2(phen)_4(bip)]^{4+}$ complexes were partially accessible to the $I^-$ quencher. Furthermore, decay times became shorter when bis-Ru(II) complexes bound to $poly[d(G-C)_2]$. These observations suggest that both the ${\Delta}{\Delta}$- and ${\Lambda}{\Lambda}-[{\mu}-Ru_2(phen)_4(bip)]^{4+}$ complexes bind at the surface of $poly[d(G-C)_2]$, probably electrostatically to phosphate group. The results indicate that ${\Delta}{\Delta}$- and ${\Lambda}{\Lambda}-[{\mu}-Ru_2(phen)_4(bip)]^{4+}$ are able to discriminate between AT and GC base pairs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.1350-1355
• /
• 2004

The sprA and sprB genes, encoding the chymotrypsin-like proteases Streptomyces griseus protease A (SGPA) and Streptomyces griseus protease B (SGPB), and the sprT gene that encodes Streptomyces griseus trypsin (SGT) were cloned from S. griseus and were overexpressed in various strains of S. griseus. When the sprT gene was introduced into S. griseus, trypsin activity increased 2-fold in the A-factor deficient mutant strain, S. griseus HH1, and increased 4-fold in the wild strain, S. grise us IFO 13350. However, there was no detectable increase of chymotrypsin activity in the transformants of S. griseus with either sprA or sprB, in contrast to the results obtained from S. lividans as a heterologous host. To solve the negative gene dosage effects in S. griseus, either the sprA or the sprB genes with their own ribosome binding sites were linked to the downstream of the entire sprT gene, and the coexpression efficiency was examined in S. lividans and S. griseus. The transformants of S. lividans with either pWHM3-TA (sprT+sprA) or pWHM3­TB (sprT+sprB) showed 3-fold increase of trypsin activity over that of the control, however, only the transformant of pWHM3-TB demonstrated 7-fold increase in chymotrypsin activity, indicating that the pWHM3-TB has a successful construction for the overexpression of chymotrypsin in Streptomyces. When the coexpression vectors were introduced into S. griseus IFO 13350, the trypsin level sharply increased by more than 4-fold, however, the chymotrypsin level did not increase. These results strongly suggest that the overexpression of the sprA and sprB genes is tightly regulated in S. griseus.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.181-188
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Inferior vena cava (IVC) collapse is related to hypovolemia. Sonography has been used to measure the IVC diameter, but there is variation depending on the skill of the operator and it is difficult to obtain accurate measurements in patients who have a large amount of intestinal gas or are obese. As a modality to obtain accurate measurements, we measured the diameters of the IVC and aorta on trauma computed tomography scans and investigated the correlation between the IVC to aorta ratio and the shock index in blunt trauma patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 588 trauma patients who were transferred to the regional trauma center (level 1) of Wonkang University Hospital from March 2020 to February 2021. We included trauma patients 18 years or older who met the trauma activation criteria and underwent trauma computed tomography scans with intravenous contrast within 40 minutes of admission. The shock index was calculated from vital signs before trauma computed tomography scan, and measurements of the anteroposterior diameter of the IVC (AP), the transverse diameter of the IVC (T), and aorta were made 10 mm above the right renal vein in the venous phase. Results: Overall, 271 patients were included in this study, of whom 150 had a shock index ≤0.7 and 121 had a shock index >0.7. The T to AP ratio and AP to aorta ratio were significantly different between groups. Cutoffs were identified for the T to AP ratio and AP to aorta ratio (2.37 and 0.62, respectively) that produced clinically useful sensitivity and specificity for predicting a shock index >0.7, demonstrating moderate accuracy (T to AP ratio: area under the curve, 0.71; sensitivity, 59%; specificity, 87% and AP to aorta ratio: area under the curve, 0.70; sensitivity, 55%; specificity, 91%). Conclusions: The T to AP ratio and AP to aorta ratio are useful for predicting hemorrhagic shock in trauma patients.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.186-198
• /
• 2001

pH/Thermal sensitive copolymers with the various acidic comonomer compositions composed of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) with acrylic acid (AAc), 2-acrylamido glycolic acid (AAmGAc), and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) were synthesized by free radial polymerization. In this study, to characterize the effect of different acidic comonomer composition and pH on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviors of their copolymers. phase transition experiments were performed with a thermo-optical analyzer (TOA). The phase transition temperature (T$^{p}$ ) of aqueous poly(NIPAAm-co-AAc) solution was lowered with increasing the ionization of the acid group in AAc, that is, the ionized state induced the electrostatic repulsion of ionized groups. In contrast, when AAmGAc was introduced into PNIPAAm, T$^{p}$ was little changed at pH 1-3, whereas climbed up significantly from pH 1 to pH 3. In the range of pH 6-10, Tp was lower than that of pH 3-5. This result was considered to be \"Ionic Screen Effect\" and this effect had been also observed in the case of poly(NIPAAm-co-AMPS).-co-AMPS).