• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.891-894
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• 2014

This study is aimed to investigate the role of paired boxed gene 1 (PAX1) methylation analysis by methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) in the detection of high grade lesions in atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) and compared its performance with the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) human papillomavirus (HPV) test. In our study, 130 cases with a diagnosis of ASC-H from the cervical cytological screening by Thinprep cytologic test (TCT) technique were selected for triage. Their cervical scrapings were collected and evaluated by using PAX1 methylation analysis (MS-HRM) and high-risk HPV DNA test (HC2), followed by colposcopy and cervical biopsy. Chi-square test were used to test the differences of PAX1 methylation or HPV infection between groups. In the detection of CIN2+, the sensitivity, specificity, the PPV, NPV and the accuracy of PAX1 MS-HRM assay and high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) tests were respectively 80.6% vs 67.7%, 94.9% vs 54.5%, 83.3%, vs 31.8%, 94.0% vs 84.4%, and 91.5% vs 57.7%. The PAX1 MS-HRM assay proved superior to HR-HPV testing in the detection of high grade lesions (CIN2+) in ASC-H. This approach could screen out the majority of high grade lesion cases of ASC-H, and thus could reduce the referral rate to colposcopy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 2000

Objective: The study was performed to compare the survival rate and the development of day 2 mouse embryos which had freezing procedures done. Methods: We used three different vitrification solutions (EFS, VS14, DPS) and a ultrarapid freezing solution (UFS) for cryopreservation of day 2 mouse embryo. Results: We tested toxicity by exposing embryos to vitirification solutions and a ultrarapid freezing solution. The survival rates are 100%, 97.8%, 95.6% and 100% (EFS, VS14, DPS and UFS). After cultured for 96 hours, hatching rates of each group are 93.5% (no freezing), 95.6% (EFS), 86.4% (VS14), 93.0% (DPS), and 93.0% (UFS). There is no significant differences among groups. The survival rates after thawing cryopreserved embryos are 80.2%, 91.7%, 69.5%, 0% and 91.8% (slow freezing, EFS, VS14, DPS and UFS). Also cultured for 96 hours, the hatching rates are 93.5% (no freezing), 84.1% (slow freezing), 93.9% (EFS), 48.5% (VS14) and 70.1% (UFS). Conclusion: The survival rates of vitrification in EFS solution and ultrarapid freezing are higher than slow freezing (p<0.05). The hatching rate of vitrification in EFS solution cultured for 96 hours is highest, so vitrification of day 2 mouse embryos in EFS solution considered as more effective for cryopreservation.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.15-22
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• 2021

Purpose: There is still lack of guidance for merchants toward price discount presentations (absolute/relative), especially for consumers in different purchase contexts. Based on the general evaluability theory, this study investigates consumers' preferences for the presentation of discounts in various contexts through experiments. Research design, data and methodology: The relationship between discount presentation and consumers' preference is investigated in Study 1 using a two-factor between-subject design of 2 (purchase type: material vs. experiential) ×2 (discount type: absolute vs. relative). The Moderating effect of thinking mode has been examined in Study 2 via a multi-factor intergroup design of 2 (purchase type: material vs. experiential) ×2 (discount type: absolute vs. relative) ×2 (cognitive load: high vs. low). One-way ANOVA and planned contrast have been performed for analysis. Results: Experiment 1 reveals that consumers prefer absolute discounts rather than relative discounts when in material purchases. However, when in experiential purchases, they are willing to choose relative discounts. Experiment 2 verifies the boundary conditions of matching effect and illustrates the generation of matching effect is determined by thinking mode. Conclusions: Our study enriches the theories of purchase type and thinking mode. Simultaneously, the results provide practical guidance for merchants to formulate the discount presentation and distribution pricing strategies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.740-745
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• 2007

Purpose : There is a dominant opinion that in vitro fertilization (IVF) leads to an increased incidence of twins, low birth weight (LBW) infants, prematurity and mortality. On the other hand, technical development of IVF and improvement of neonatal intensive care have increased the survival rate of neonates. The purpose of this study was to verify the tendency by comparing the clinical aspects of IVF and spontaneously conceived twins, and to establish methods to increase the survival rate of neonates after IVF. Methods : Retrospective reviews were performed on all twin infants who were admitted to the nursery and NICU at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2006. Medical records of IVF twins (study group, n=92) and spontaneously conceived twins (control group, n=265) were analyzed and compared. Neonatal outcomes and complications, as well as obstetric outcomes, were analyzed and compared. Results : Mean gestational age and birth weight of the study group ($34.6{\pm}3.5$ weeks, $2,203.9{\pm}617.2g$) were considerably lower than those of the control group ($36.3{\pm}2.4$ weeks, $2,367.0{\pm}517.9g$). The frequency of prematurity less than 37 weeks (68.5% vs 51.3%) and extremely LBW (15.2% vs 6.4%) were also significantly higher in the study group. Other neonatal outcomes were all insignificant. The obstetric characteristics, maternal age ($32.6{\pm}3.3$ years vs $30.3{\pm}3.9$ years) and the frequency of cesarean delivery(95.7% vs 79.9%) were significantly higher in the study group. Other obstetric outcomes were insignificant except for the frequency of incompetent internal os of cervix (36.2% vs 3.6%) and cerclage operation (38.3% vs 4.3%). Conclusion : Based on the above results, clinical outcomes of twin infants will be further improved by careful attention and thorough antenatal care of the IVF twins.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.499-503
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• 2013

This study tested the hypothesis that effects of the menstrual cycle on resting blood pressure carry over to dynamic exercise. Eleven healthy females were studied during the early (EP; low estrogen, low progesterone) and late follicular (LP; high estrogen, low progesterone) menstrual phases. Stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and total vascular conductance (TVC) were assessed at rest and in response to mild and moderate cycling exercise during EP and LP. During EP, compared to LP, baseline SBP ($111{\pm}1$ vs. $103{\pm}2$ mmHg), DBP ($71{\pm}2$ vs. $65{\pm}2$ mmHg) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) ($84{\pm}2$ vs. $78{\pm}1$ mmHg) were higher and TVC ($47.0{\pm}1.5$ vs. $54.9{\pm}4.2$ ml/min/mmHg) was lower (p<0.05). During exercise, absolute values of SBP (Mild: $142{\pm}4$ vs. $127{\pm}5$ mmHg; Moderate: $157{\pm}4$ vs. $144{\pm}5$ mmHg) and MAP (Mild: $100{\pm}3$ vs. $91{\pm}3$ mmHg; Moderate: $110{\pm}3$ vs. $101{\pm}3$ mmHg) were also higher, while TVC was lower (Mild: $90.9{\pm}5.1$ vs. $105.4{\pm}5.2$ ml/min/mmHg; Moderate: $105.4{\pm}5.3$ vs. $123.9{\pm}8.1$ ml/min/mmHg) during EP (p<0.05). However, exercise-induced increases in SBP, MAP and TVC at both work intensities were similar between the two menstrual phases, even though norepinephrine concentrations were higher during LP. Results indicate that blood pressure during dynamic exercise fluctuates during the menstrual cycle. It is higher during EP than LP and appears to be due to additive effects of simultaneous increases in baseline blood pressure and reductions in baseline TVC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1501-1509
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• 2003

The simultaneous addition of xylanase (5,600 EXU/kg) and phytase (500 FTU/kg) feed enzymes to wheat-based broiler diets was investigated. Starter, grower and finisher diets, with three tiers of nutrient specifications, were fed to 1,440 broiler chicks kept on deep litter from 1-42 days post-hatch, without and with xylanase plus phytase, to determine the effects of diet type and enzyme supplementation on growth performance. The nutrient specifications of type A diets were standard; energy density and protein/amino acid levels were reduced on a least-cost basis to formulate type B diets and further reduced to type C diets. Phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) levels were adjusted in supplemented diets. From 1-42 days post-hatch, diet type significantly influenced growth performance. Birds on type C diets had lower growth rates (2,429 vs. 2,631 g/bird; p<0.001), higher feed intakes (4,753 vs. 4,534 g/bird; p<0.005) and less efficient feed conversion (1.96 vs. 1.72; p<0.001) than birds offered type A diets. Enzyme supplementation increased growth rates by 3.2% (2,580 vs. 2,501 g/bird; p<0.005) and improved feed efficiency by 2.7% (1.80 vs. 1.85; p<0.05) over the entire feeding period. There were no interactions between diet type and enzyme supplementation. At 21 days, 5 out of 30 birds per pen were transferred to cages to ascertain treatment effect on apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nitrogen (N) retention. Xylanase plus phytase enhanced AME (13.48 to 13.91 MJ/kg DM; p<0.001) and N retention (56.3 to 59.7%; p<0.005). Carcass and breast weights of the caged birds were determined following commercial processing. Diet type significantly influenced breast weight, carcass weight and yield. Birds offered Type A diets, in comparison to Type C diets, supported heavier breast (467 vs. 424 g; p<0.001) and carcass weights (1,868 vs. 1,699 g; p<0.001) with superior carcass yields (71.8 vs. 70.6%; p<0.005). Enzyme addition increased carcass weight by 3.9% (1,752 vs. 1,821 g; p<0.005) and breast weight by 5.8% (431 vs. 456 g; p<0.01) without influencing yields. Feed ingredient costs per kg live weight gain and per kg carcass weight indicated that enzyme addition was economically feasible, where supplementation of Type A diets generated the most effective results. Importantly, soluble and total non-starch polysaccharide and phytate contents of the wheat used were typical by local standards. This study confirms the potential of supplementing wheat-based broiler diets with xylanase plus phytase but further investigations are required to define the most appropriate inclusion rates and dietary nutrient specifications in this context.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.633-641
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• 1991

Mook, a traditional gel food in Korea, has been made from mainly acorn, buckwheat, and mungbean starches (Mook Starches). Corn, rice, wheat starches (Non-Mook Starches) are not used due to their weak gelation power. In order to know the effects of properties of starch on gelation, some physicochemical properties, molecular structure, and starch lipid of these six starches were investigated and compared with gel hardness. Both amylose content and gel hardness of starches were in order of mungbean, acorn, buckwheat, wheat, corn, and rice and these two parameters showed a very good correlation (r=0.95). The amyloses of Mook Starches had larger molecular size (${\overline}D.P._{n}=1,080{\sim}1,580\;vs\;670{\sim}1,120$ for Mook Starches and Non-Mook Starches, respectively), more average number of chain ($2.9{\sim}5.4\;vs\;1.7{\sim}2.5$), and shorter average chain length ($290{\sim}390\;vs\;390{\sim}450$) than those of Non-Mook Starches. Also, Mook Starches had longer average chain length ($22.2{\sim}22.6\;vs\;18.9{\sim}21.3$) of amylopectin and less starch lipid content ($0.12{\sim}0.49\;vs\;0.68{\sim}1.26%$) than Non-Mook Starches. These properties had good correlations with gel hardness (r=0.76-0.84). Consequently, the gelation power of Mook Starches was thought to be derived from their high amylose content and other properties of starches.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.275-278
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• 1992

One hundred sixty three (163) animals were used in $2{\times}2$ and $3{\times}2$ factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) to determine the effect of clitoral stimulation during timed inseminations on the fertility of Philippine swamp buffaloes (carabaos). There were 3 separate trials conducted with two treatment groups per trial : control and with 30 second clitoral stimulation after each insemination. Parity, tone of uterus and site of semen deposition were also used as criteria in subdividing the main groups. The pregnancy rates of animals that received clitoral stimulation were significantly (p<0.05 or p<0.01) higher than those of control for both caraheifers (52.98 vs 31.41%) and caracows (52.68 vs 27.07%) ; under all uterine conditions : tone 1 (53.33 vs 31.75%), tone 2 (35.83 vs 22.82%) and tone 3 (75.65 vs 42.44%) ; and in both site of semen placement, cervix (43.99 vs 22.85%) and uterus (60.92% vs 37.81%). Fertility was also significantly (p<0.05) higher when semen was deposited in the uterus (49.37%) than in the cervix (33.42%). Interaction effect was insignificant. Clitoral stimulation should be utilized as a routine procedure following artificial insemination in carabaos.

• International journal of thyroidology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2017

Background and Objectives: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is commonly related with concurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). We aimed to examine the clinicopathologic characteristics, prognosis and gene expression of DTC with anaplastic foci. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with DTC with anaplastic foci were enrolled in this study. To compare the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of anaplastic foci subjects with conventional ATC or DTC, we additionally included 12 ATC and 1030 DTC patients who diagnosed during same period. Immunohistochemistry was performed to check the gene expression in anaplastic foci and DTC component. Results: In anaplastic foci group, tumor size was larger ($2.5{\pm}1.3$ vs. $1.2{\pm}0.9cm$, p=0.001), distant metastasis was more frequent (11.1 vs. 0%, p=0.000) and 1-year survival rate was low (88.9 vs. 100%, p=0.000) than DTC group. In contrast, compared with ATC group, anaplastic foci group showed younger age at diagnosis ($50{\pm}16$ vs. $63{\pm}18years$, p=0.039), smaller tumor size ($2.5{\pm}1.3$ vs. $3.8{\pm}1.4cm$, p=0.027), less distant metastasis (11.1 vs. 41.7%, p=0.084) and longer 1-year survival rate (88.9 vs. 25.0%, p=0.001). Expression of p53 protein was observed in 100% of anaplastic foci, ATC and 12.5% of papillary thyroid carcinoma component. Conclusion: DTC with foci of anaplastic transformation has a worse prognosis than DTC, but a better prognosis than ATC. Our results support that DTC with anaplastic foci was intermediate state from DTC to ATC.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2021

Objectives: The workplace is an ideal place for encouraging health-promoting behaviors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an empowerment program on the health-promoting behaviors of women workers. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted with 80 women workers employed at a food packaging facility in 2020. The subjects were selected using convenience sampling and were classified into intervention and control groups using block randomization. An empowerment program for women workers was conducted across 6 sessions based on an empowerment model. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II, which participants completed both before the program and 8 weeks after the last session. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16 using descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in various health-promoting behaviors before the program. However, the intervention group's scores for nutrition (34.92±1.09 vs. 27.87±4.23), physical activity (24.40±2.94 vs. 17.40±5.03), stress management (26.35±2.60 vs. 23.05±4.27), spiritual growth (34.02±3.00 vs. 30.22±5.40), interpersonal relationships (30.82±2.38 vs. 27.60±4.61), and health responsibility (31.60±2.71 vs. 28.22±4.59) were significantly higher than the control group's 8 weeks after the program had ended. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the total score of health-promoting behaviors for the intervention group compared to the control group (179.00±9.22 vs. 151.42±20.25, p=0.001). Conclusions: An empowerment program for women workers led to significant improvements in the health-promoting behaviors of the participants. Similar programs can ultimately improve women's health in the workplace.