• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2024

This study compared the cortical thickness of patients with mood disorders and a control group to assess structural abnormalities. A retrospective study was conducted from September 2020 to August 2022 at the Department of Psychiatry, P Hospital in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. The study included 44 individuals diagnosed with mood disorders and 59 healthy individuals without any pathological lesions. The 3D-T1 MPRAGE images obtained from magnetic resonance imaging examinations were utilized, and FreeSurfer software was employed to measure cortical thickness. Statistical analysis involved independent samples t-tests to measure the differences in means between the two groups, and Cohen's d test was used to compare the effect sizes of the differences. Furthermore, the correlation between the measured average cortical thickness and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores was analyzed. The research results revealed that patients with mood disorders exhibited decreased cortical thickness compared to the normal control group in both superior frontal regions, both rostral middle frontal regions, both caudal middle frontal regions, both pars opercularis, pars orbitals, pars triangularis regions, both superior temporal regions, both inferior temporal regions, both lateral orbitofrontal regions, both medial orbitofrontal regions, both fusiform regions, both posterior cingulate regions, both isthmus cingulate regions, both superior parietal regions, both inferior parietal regions, both supramarginal regions, left postcentral region, right bank of the superior temporal sulcus region, right middle temporal region, right rostral anterior cingulate region, and right insula region. Among them, regions that showed differences with effect sizes of 0.8 or higher were left fusiform (d=0.82), pars opercularis (d=0.94), superior frontal (d=0.88), right lateral orbitofrontal (d=0.85), and pars orbitalis (d=0.89). Additionally, there was a weak negative correlation between PANSS scores and average cortical thickness in both the left hemisphere (r=-0.234) and right hemisphere (r=-0.230). These findings are expected to be helpful in identifying areas of cortical thickness reduction in patients with mood disorders compared to healthy individuals and understanding the relationship between symptom severity and cortical thickness changes.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1095-1106
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• 2023

This study investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of Aster glehni (AG) extract in RAW 264.7 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were higher in the ethanol extracts than in the hot water extracts. As a result of measuring the moisture contents (%) and extraction yields (%) of AG and drying A. glehni for processing (DAG), 70% ethanol, which has the highest percentage of extraction yield, was selected as the final solvent. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed higher antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts of DAG than AG. The cytotoxicity assay of the AG or DAG ethanol extracts was treated at different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL), and cell viability rates were higher than 80% at all concentrations. The LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 was significantly reduced at all concentrations of AG and DAG groups. As a result of measuring the gene expression of iNOS, which induces NO production, the AG or DAG group decreased by 33% and 32%, compared with the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) group. Under inflammatory stress conditions, the survival rate of C. elegans treated with AG or DAG ethanol extract with LPS showed concentration-dependent improvement in survival rate compared with the PBS group. Considering these results, AG could potentially be developed as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functional food material.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.5
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• pp.1196-1206
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• 2021

Purpose To construct a standard dataset of contrast-enhanced CT images of liver tumors to test the performance and safety of artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms for clinical decision support systems (CDSSs). Materials and Methods A consensus group of medical experts in gastrointestinal radiology from four national tertiary institutions discussed the conditions to be included in a standard dataset. Seventy-five cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 75 cases of metastasis, and 30-50 cases of benign lesions were retrieved from each institution, and the final dataset consisted of 300 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 300 cases of metastasis, and 183 cases of benign lesions. Only pathologically confirmed cases of hepatocellular carcinomas and metastases were enrolled. The medical experts retrieved the medical records of the patients and manually labeled the CT images. The CT images were saved as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files. Results The medical experts in gastrointestinal radiology constructed the standard dataset of contrast-enhanced CT images for 783 cases of liver tumors. The performance and safety of the AI algorithm can be evaluated by calculating the sensitivity and specificity for detecting and characterizing the lesions. Conclusion The constructed standard dataset can be utilized for evaluating the machine-learning-based AI algorithm for CDSS.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.65-77
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• 2023

Background: The shortage of dental hygienists as assistant is a great concern to dental clinics, while dental hygienists are rather pursuing the role of oral hygiene control and preventive treatments which is the main role for dental hygienists in the United States. The dental hygienist and dental assistant system in the United States can be a reference in these discussions. Methods: Educational requirements for licensure and work areas for dental hygienists and dental assistants were investigated through the information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), American Dental Hygienists Association, National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), Dental Assistants Association of America (ADAA), and Dental Assistants National Board (DANB). Results: In the United States, each state has different systems, but in general, dental hygienists obtain licenses after completing 2~3 years of associate degree programs in dental hygiene after obtaining basic learning skills, and mainly perform tasks related to patient screening procedures, oral hygiene management and preventive care. Dental assistants can take the license test after completing a training course of 9~11 months to obtain a dental assistant certification. Additional expanded work typically requires passing state qualification tests, completing a training program, obtaining a degree, or gaining clinical experience for a certain period of time, depending on the state Conclusion: The scope of work of dental hygienists designated by the Medical Engineer Act and the Enforcement Decree in Korea includes both the work of dental hygienists and dental assistants in the United States, and if a dental assistant system like the United States is introduced to address the current shortage of dental assistants, institutional supplementation such as adjustment of the scope of work and expansion of the role of dental hygienists in oral hygiene management and prevention work is needed and in-depth discussion is necessary.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2024

In 2023, symptoms like damping-off disease were observed in 74 paprika growing in greenhouses in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea. In this study, we tried to find the cause of the damping-off disease outbreak. We collected symptomatic seedlings and observed the typical crescent-shaped conidia of Fusarium oxysporum by microscope. To confirm the presence of F. oxysporum in the samples, polymerase chain reaction was performed using primers specific for F. oxysporum; the resulting sequence showed 99.11% identity with F. oxysporum. To confirm the pathogenicity of the F. oxysporum (CW) isolated from the samples, healthy paprika plants were inoculated with F. oxysporum CW and damping-off symptoms were observed 2 weeks later. To investigate whether the damping-off disease outbreak in Cheorwon-gun was caused by F. oxysporum-contaminated seeds, 100 paprika seeds were disinfected and placed in Murashige and Skoog medium. Typical pink F. oxysporum hyphae were found only in control non-disinfected seeds. An 18S rRNA-based and a TEF genebased phylogenetic analysis showed that the F. oxysporum CW isolate was not grouped with a F. oxysporum isolate reported from Cheorwon-gun in 2019. This study is the first report that an outbreak of damping-off disease in paprika in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea, was caused by contamination of F. oxysporum seeds.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.618-630
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• 2024

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation (EA) followed by RFA in treating mixed cystic and solid thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods We included 243 nodules from 243 patients who underwent RFA for mixed cystic and solid benign nodules. The nodules were divided into two groups (RFA alone and EA + RFA). We evaluated volume reduction rate (VRR), therapeutic success rate, improvement in symptomatic and cosmetic issues, complications, and adverse effects. Results The RFA group included 204 patients, and the EA + RFA group included 39 patients. The long-term success rates in the RFA only and EA + RFA groups were 90.2% and 97.4%, respectively. The mean VRR at the last follow-up in the RFA and EA + RFA groups were 81.6% and 87.2%, respectively. Therapeutic results were similar in both groups at the last followup. Cosmetic and symptomatic problems markedly improved in both groups. No major complications were observed. Conclusion Both RFA alone and EA + RA are safe and effective methods for treating mixed cystic and solid thyroid nodules, although EA + RFA is slightly more effective.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.260-276
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to explore whether pre-service teachers majoring in earth science improve their perception of computational thinking through STEAM classes focused on engineering-based wave power plants. The STEAM class involved designing the most efficient wave power plant model. The survey on computational thinking practices, developed from previous research, was administered to 15 Earth science pre-service teachers to gauge their understanding of computational thinking. Each group developed an efficient wave power plant model based on the scientific principal of turbine operation using waves. The activities included problem recognition (problem solving), coding (coding and programming), creating a wave power plant model using a 3D printer (design and create model), and evaluating the output to correct errors (debugging). The pre-service teachers showed a high level of recognition of computational thinking practices, particularly in "logical thinking," with the top five practices out of 14 averaging five points each. However, participants lacked a clear understanding of certain computational thinking practices such as abstraction, problem decomposition, and using bid data, with their comprehension of these decreasing after the STEAM lesson. Although there was a significant reduction in the misconception that computational thinking is "playing online games" (from 4.06 to 0.86), some participants still equated it with "thinking like a computer" and "using a computer to do calculations". The study found slight improvements in "problem solving" (3.73 to 4.33), "pattern recognition" (3.53 to 3.66), and "best tool selection" (4.26 to 4.66). To enhance computational thinking skills, a practice-oriented curriculum should be offered. Additional STEAM classes on diverse topics could lead to a significant improvement in computational thinking practices. Therefore, establishing an educational curriculum for multisituational learning is essential.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.80-94
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• 2024

This study aimed to examine the morphological characteristics and variation in main traits by comparing the growth of individuals of Ecklonia cava Kjellman(Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) under an aquaculture environment. This survey was conducted from April 2018 to November 2019 at the aquafarm in Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do(South coast of Korea). To classify the morphology of individuals in the aquaculture farm of E. cava, we investigated fourteen morphological characteristics and calculated four ratios between the measured values. Juvenile individuals showed a simple or oblong lanceolate, and at 3-4 months, a short stipe and holdfast developed, along with a bladelet that developed into the secondary blade form. At 5-7 months, secondary blades were found to develop irregularly on the primary blade. At 8-10 months, the primary blade expanded and secondary blades elongated. At 11-12 months, the secondary blades became oblong. At 13-14 months, the thallus area expanded. At 15-16 months, tertiary blades were formed, the thallus became more complex, the stipe thickened, and the holdfast widened. At 17-18 months, secondary blades clearly developed along with lobes. At 19-20 months, tertiary blades developed and became similar to mature natural blades. In the principal component analysis (PCA), the monthly population of the first year(Q1) and that of the second year(Q2) of the cultured population were divided along PC1, which is related to secondary blade morphological characteristics and the holdfast width. Q2 and natural populations are distributed in descending order of volume in Jeju(J), East Coast(E), and South Coast(S) along PC2, which is related to primary blade and stipe morphological characteristics. The results of this study were judged to offer important criteria for the development of different varieties of E. cava.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.345-363
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• 2023

The genus Desmodesmus (Chodat) S.S. An, T. Friedl & E. Hegewald is ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers, ponds, and wetlands. The actual species diversity and distribution of the genus is unknown because of morphological plasticity affected by habitats. Currently, 38 Desmodesmus species have been reported in Korea most of which transferred from the genus Scenedesmus recently, however, no phylogenetic relationships have been studied yet. Despite the challenges in analyzing relationships among Desmodesmus species through the morphology, ecology, and original description, this study focused on examining species-level relationships using the FBCC culture strains isolated from Korea. A total of 299 sequences (66 of 18S rRNA, 47 of atpB, 67 of petA, 52 of rbcL, and 67 of tufA) were newly determined and used for phylogenetic analysis. Four plastid genes tend to have higher variation than 18S rRNA in the variable sites and P-distance. From the combined phylogeny, the Desmodesmus included six clades such as Clade-1: D. pseudoserratus and D. serratus, Clade-2: D. communis, D. dispar, D. maximus, D. pannonicus, unidentified Desmodesmus sp., Clade-3: D. bicaudatus and D. intermedius, Clade-4: D. microspina, D. multivariablis, D. pleiomorphus, D. subspicatus, Clade-5: D. abundans, D. kissii, and D. spinosus, and Clade-6: D. armatus, D. armatus var. longispina, D. opoliensis, unidentified Desmodesmus spp. The new sequence data from FBCC strains will be used to identify species and study the molecular ecology of scenedesmacean green algae in freshwater ecosystems. The phylogenetic information from this study will expand our understanding of Desmodesmus species diversity in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.637-656
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• 2023

River estuaries are dynamic and productive ecosystems with high regional biodiversity. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a useful approach to assessing biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. This study was conducted to investigate fish community characteristics and species diversity in two river estuary ecosystems, the Taehwa River and Changwon Stream. We further compared conventional and eDNA metabarcoding analyses of the fish communities. The conventional survey was performed in May, July, and October 2022, while the eDNA analysis was conducted only in May. We observed various fish species with different life histories, including carp, goby, and marine fish. We also found that migratory fish, such as dace Tribolodon hakonensis, sweetfish Plecoglossus altivelis, and eel Auguilla japonica, occurred in the Taehwa River, suggesting high river connectivity. Marine fish species were predominant in the Changwon Stream, as this river is located close to the sea. The diversity indices showed that the Taehwa River generally had higher species richness, evenness, and diversity values than the Changwon Stream. A total of 9-19 species were detected in the conventional survey for the three sites, whereas 11-18 species were found from eDNA analysis. The findings indicate that the sensitivity of eDNA was similar to or higher than that of the conventional method. Our study findings suggest the efficiency and efficacy of eDNA-based fish community monitoring, although with some shortcomings in applying the genetic marker to Korean fish, including no clear-cut distinction for Korean endemic species and/or genetically closely related species groups.