• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate microbial contamination of Dutch coffee in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. A total of 70 different Dutch coffee were purchased from an offline market (food service business operator). Two types of coffee were considered: "coffee made from food service business operator" and "coffee made from food manufacturer." The levels of total aerobic bacteria were 0.74-6.21 log CFU/mL in 15 samples and fungi were 0.70-4.00 log CFU/mL in 21 samples. Total aerobic bacteria was detected at higher levels in "coffee made from food service business operator" than in "coffee made from food manufacturer," and the difference was not significant. Three samples in "coffee made from food manufacturer" exceeded the standard for total aerobic bacteria. Escherichia coli, Coliform, and 12 types of foodborne bacteria were not detected in all samples. The extraction method detected no difference in cell counts of total aerobic bacteria and fungi. Therefore, to reduce microbial contamination of Dutch coffee, managing hygiene while maintaining the refrigeration temperature from the bean management stage to the sale process is crucial.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.307-328
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of parental overprotection on Korean college students' moral behaviors. To test the prediction that overprotected participants will show more immoral behaviors in moral dilemma situations, we measured perceived parental overprotectiveness and morality. Participants were 113 college freshmen. Two types of modified experimental paradigms were used to assess participants on their levels of justice-oriented and prosocial morality. Based on whether they displayed moral behavior (i.e., honest or helping behavior) or not, participants were included in either moral or immoral group. Second, the levels of perceived maternal overprotectiveness and paternal overprotectiveness were assessed using Korean-Parental Overprotection Scale (K-POS) and were compared between moral and immoral group. For justice-oriented morality, the results showed that the immoral group reported a significantly higher level of perceived maternal overprotection compared to the moral group (t = 2.16, p < .05). On the contrast, paternal overprotection was not related to participants' honesty. The results indicate that participants who experienced overprotective parental care are more likely to act immorally in moral dilemma situations dealing with justice. Meanwhile, for prosocial morality, both maternal and paternal overprotection levels did not result in significant difference between two groups. More Implications and limitations were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2023

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of transverse process (TP) hook system at the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) for preventing screw pullout in adult spinal deformity surgery using the pedicle Hounsfield unit (HU) stratification based on K-means clustering. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 74 patients who underwent deformity correction surgery between 2011 and 2020 and were followed up for >12 months. Pre- and post-operative data were used to determine the incidence of screw pullout, UIV TP hook implementation, vertebral body HU, pedicle HU, and patient outcomes. Data was then statistically analyzed for assessment of efficacy and risk prediction using stratified HU at UIV level alongside the effect of the TP hook system. Results : The screw pullout rate was 36.4% (27/74). Perioperative radiographic parameters were not significantly different between the pullout and non-pullout groups. The vertebral body HU and pedicle HU were significantly lower in the pullout group. K-means clustering stratified the vertebral body HU ≥205.3, <137.2, and pedicle HU ≥243.43, <156.03. The pullout rate significantly decreases in patients receiving the hook system when the pedicle HU was from ≥156.03 to < 243.43 (p<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant in the vertebra HU stratified groups and when pedicle HU was ≥243.43 or <156.03. The postoperative clinical outcomes improved significantly with the implementation of the hook system. Conclusion : The UIV hook provides better clinical outcomes and can be considered a preventative strategy for screw-pullout in the certain pedicle HU range.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.446-455
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• 2023

The mechanistic functions of 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC), a chalcone compound known to have many pharmacological effects on lung cancer, have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we identified the comprehensive anti-cancer mechanism of 3-DSC, which targets EGFR and MET kinase in drug-resistant lung cancer cells. 3-DSC directly targets both EGFR and MET, thereby inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, 3-DSC induced cell cycle arrest by modulating cell cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin B1, cdc2, and p27. In addition, concomitant EGFR downstream signaling proteins such as MET, AKT, and ERK were affected by 3-DSC and contributed to the inhibition of cancer cell growth. Furthermore, our results show that 3-DSC increased redox homeostasis disruption, ER stress, mitochondrial depolarization, and caspase activation in gefitinib-resistant lung cancer cells, thereby abrogating cancer cell growth. 3-DSC induced apoptotic cell death which is regulated by Mcl-1, Bax, Apaf-1, and PARP in gefitinib-resistant lung cancer cells. 3-DSC also initiated the activation of caspases, and the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, abrogated 3-DSC induced-apoptosis in lung cancer cells. These data imply that 3-DSC mainly increased mitochondria-associated intrinsic apoptosis in lung cancer cells to reduce lung cancer cell growth. Overall, 3-DSC inhibited the growth of drug-resistant lung cancer cells by simultaneously targeting EGFR and MET, which exerted anti-cancer effects through cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial homeostasis collapse, and increased ROS generation, eventually triggering anti-cancer mechanisms. 3-DSC could potentially be used as an effective anti-cancer strategy to overcome EGFR and MET target drug-resistant lung cancer.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2005

1. Purpose : The purpose of this study was done to compare the sex, past history, hematologic relationship between the Cerebral infarction patients and the Cerebral hemorrhage patients. 2. Methods : We selected the two study groups. The one is 20 Cerebral infarction patients and the other 20 Cerebral hemorrhage patients with confirmed by Brain CT or MRI. We made an investigation into past history. We examined and made a comparative study of CBC, LFT, Na, K, Cl in the both group. 3. Result & Conclusion : In the Cerebral hemorrhage group, there were many patients with Hypertension and Diabetes mellitus than the Cerebral infarction group. In the Cerebral infarction group, there were many patients with abnormal RBC count with no significant. Also, ESR is higher than the other group. Between the Cerebral infarction and the other group, we discovered significant cases with abnormal triglyceride, ALP in the Cerebral infarction group(p<0.05). Abnormal triglyceride is known one of important risk factor of Cerebral infarction, but this study was significant in the Cerebral hemorrhage group. Also, ALP was significant in the Cerebral hemorrhage group. Therefore more extensive research is needed.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.278-284
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• 2023

The feeding characteristics of chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus was studied using 827 specimens caught in the Yellow Sea of Korea during Autumn season from October to December 2021 and September to November 2022. The size of the specimens ranged from 21.1 to 45.1 cm in total length. S. japonicus was a carnivore that consumed mainly on fishes, such as Engraulis japonicus (%IRI=67.9). Its diet also includes small quantities of copepods, amphipods, euphausiids, cephalopods, mysids, shrimps, and crabs, etc. The estimated trophic level of S. japonicus was 3.84. The proportion of fish had increased as the body size of S. japonicus increased, whereas those of euphausiids, copepods and amphipods decreased gradually. As the body size of S. japonicus increased, the mean weight of prey per the stomach (mW/ST) tended to increase (One-way ANOVA, F=2.382, P<0.05).

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.134-143
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is classified as the advanced stage (BCLC stage C) with extremely poor prognosis, and in current guidelines is recommended for systemic therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes and long-term prognosis after hepatic resection (HR) for patients who have HCC combined with PVTT. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 332 patients who underwent HR for HCC with PVTT at ten tertiary referral hospitals in South Korea. Results: The median overall and recurrence-free survival after HR were 32.4 and 8.6 months, while the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 75%, 48%, and 39%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor number, tumor size, AFP, PIVKA-II, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade were significant prognostic factors. The risk scoring was developed using these seven factors-tumor, inflammation and hepatic function (TIF), to predict patient prognosis. The prognosis of the patients was well stratified according to the scores (log-rank test, p < 0.001). Conclusions: HR for patients who have HCC combined with PVTT provided favorable survival outcomes. The risk scoring was useful in predicting prognosis, and determining the appropriate treatment strategy for those patients who have HCC with PVTT.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.3-82
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• 2015

This paper is concerned in the theme of the liability for the breach of duty to inform(Haftungszurechnung der $Aufkl{\ddot{a}}rungspflichtverletzung$) and the malpractice of cosmetic surgery. Here, the terms, treatments for healing purposes and purely medical-technical cosmetic operations are well integrated in the category of "medical conduct(medizinische Handlung)" within the meaning of the public and administrative 'Medical Law'. In the judgment of 6. 13. 2013 Az. 2012DA94865 provides the KHGH(Korean Highest Court of Justice) to inform the patient about the prospects and risks of cosmetic surgery(Infrabrow Excision Blepharoplasty) stringent requirements, similar to the judicature of BGH(cf. BGH, Urt. v. 6. 11. 1990, Az.: VI ZR 8/90). Even in the judgment of 5. 12. 2014 Az. 2013GASO865646 the SZLG(Seoul Central Regional Court) recognizes the physician contract for 'cosmetic septoplasty' as a sort of contract for work. The medical treatment(${\ddot{a}}rztliche$ Heilbehandlung) is still regarded as a prototype of the medical activity, therefore in the meaning of the 'Civil Law(KBGB)', its term needs to be used immediately for healing purposes. The cosmetic operation, desired by a patient, differs from the healing treatment by the element of "indication" and the fact that the "healing purpose(Heilzweck)" itself is missing. In comparative context - methodically fully aware that the unreflective term transfer between different laws might contradict their legal purposes - a series of judgments BSG(BSGE 63, 83, BSGE 72, 96, BSGE, 82, 158, BSGE 93, 252 etc.) and some judgments of LSG are reviewed. In addition, also the dogmatic topic for the "legal natur of a medical treatment contract" is to reconsider by comparative introducing BGHZ 63, 306. Now in view of the current state of greater popularity of artificial cosmetic surgery still indeed is the sentences: The doctor is minister naturae, a helper of nature. A doctor promises regularly only the proper treatment of the patient, but the contractual liability for work should not be excluded in medical conditions for cosmetic surgeries altogether. "With cosmetic operations, seeking to eliminate the external deformities, the doctor may miss the medical profession entirely." - A. Laufs, Medical Law, 5th ed. P. 18.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.323-334
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• 1996

Male Mongolian gerbils $(60{\sim}80g)$ were given DL-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO; 250mg/kg, ip) and methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG; 50 mg/k, ip), respectively, 1 h prior to transient (7 min) occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (OBC7) and a daily dose of one of them for 6 days after recirculation, and the polyamine contents, activities of ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases (ODC and SAM-DC), and light microscopic findings of the hippocampus were evaluated. The hippocampal putrescine (PT) levels of the control gerbils treated with saline (STGr), markedly increased after OBC7, showing a peak level at 24 h after recirculation. The peak PT level was reduced in DFMO treated gerbils (DTCr) and in MGBG treated gerbils (MTGr). And 7 days after recirculation, the PT level of DTGr was decreased to about 75% of the PT level in the sham operated group (nonTGr) and to about 55% of the STGr level, respectively. The hippocampal spermidine (SD) level of STGr tended to decline, showing the lowest value at 8 h after recirculation. But the spermidine (SD) level of DTGr was somewhat higher at 8 h after OBC7 than those of STGr and MTGr The hippocampal spermine (SM) levels of all the experimental groups were little changed for 7 days after OBC. OBC7 markedly increased the hippocampal ODC activity. reaching a maximum (about 3 times higher than preischemic level) at 8 h and rapidly recovered to the control value by 24 h in STGr gerbils, and the OBC7-induced increase of ODC activity was significantly attenuated by DFMO or MGBG treatment. Whereas OBC7 induced a rapid decrease of the hippocampal SAMDC activity follwed by gradual recovery to the preischemic level, and the decrease of the SAMDC activity was slightly attenuated by DFMO or MGBG treatment. 7 Days after OBC7 the histological finding of the hippocampal complex stained with cresyl violet showed an extensive delayed neuronal damage in the CA1 region and to a lesser extent, in the dentate gyrus, sparing the CA3 region. And the neuronal death was aggevated by DFMO but significantly attenuated by MGBG. The immunochemical reactivity of hippocampus to anti-GFAP antibody was significantly increased in the CA1 region and to a lesser extent, in the dentate gyrus 7 days after OBC7, but was little changed in the CA3. And the increase of the anti-GFAP immunoreactivity was moderately enhanced by DFMO and significantly suppressed by MGBG. These results suggest that the polyamine metabolism may play a modulatory role in the ischemic brain damage.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2007

Purpose: The patient's position and anatomy during the treatment course little bit varies to some extend due to setup uncertainties and organ motions. These factors could affected to not only the dose coverage of the gross tumor but over dosage of normal tissue. Setup uncertainties and organ motions can be minimized by precise patient positioning and rigid immobilization device but some anatomical site such as prostate, the internal organ motion due to physiological processes are challenge. In planning procedure, the clinical target volume is a little bit enlarged to create a planning target volume that accounts for setup uncertainties and organ motion as well. These uncertainties lead to differences between the calculated dose by treatment planning system and the actually delivered dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences of interfractional displacement of organ and GTV based on the tomoimages. Materials and Methods: Over the course of 3 months, 3 patients, those who has applied rectal balloon, treated for prostatic cancer patient's tomoimage were studied. During the treatment sessions 26 tomoimages per patient, Total 76 tomoimages were collected. Tomoimage had been taken everyday after initial setup with lead marker attached on the patient's skin center to comparing with C-T simulation images. Tomoimage was taken after rectal balloon inflated with 60 cc of air for prostate gland immobilization for daily treatment just before treatment and it was used routinely in each case. The intrarectal balloon was inserted to a depth of 6 cm from the anal verge. MVCT image was taken with 5 mm slice thickness after the intrarectal balloon in place and inflated. For this study, lead balls are used to guide the registration between the MVCT and CT simulation images. There are three image fusion methods in the tomotherapy, bone technique, bone/tissue technique, and full image technique. We used all this 3 methods to analysis the setup errors. Initially, image fusions were based on the visual alignment of lead ball, CT anatomy and CT simulation contours and then the radiation therapist registered the MVCT images with the CT simulation images based on the bone based, rectal balloon based and GTV based respectively and registered image was compared with each others. The average and standard deviation of each X, Y, Z and rotation from the initial planning center was calculated for each patient. The image fusions were based on the visual alignment of lead ball, CT anatomy and CT simulation contours. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean variations of the rectal balloon among the methods. Statistical results based on the bone fusion shows that maximum x-direction shift was 8 mm and 4.2 mm to the y-direction. It was statistically significant (P=<0.0001) in balloon based fusion, maximum X and Y shift was 6 mm, 16mm respectively. One patient's result was more than 16 mm shift and that was derived from the rectal expansions due to the bowl gas and stool. GTV based fusion results ranging from 2.7 to 6.6 mm to the x-direction and 4.3$\sim$7.8 mm to the y-direction respectively. We have checked rotational error in this study but there are no significant differences among fusion methods and the result was 0.37$\pm$0.36 in bone based fusion and 0.34$\pm$0.38 in GTV based fusion.