• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2022

Anterior cruciate ligament is a commonly damaged ligament of the knee. Reconstruction of this ligament usually entails the use of graft harvested from the same subject (i.e., autografts). Several tendons, for example quadriceps, patellar or semitendinosus tendon can be used as an autograft. The composition of the tendons is similar to the anterior cruciate ligament but there is no data that directly compares the compositions of the quadriceps, patellar and semitendinosus tendons. This study quantified and compared the tenocyte distribution and collagen content of these tendons from cadavers of South Africans of European Ancestry. The tenocyte distribution and collagen content were assessed using the ImageJ software. The results showed similarities in the collagen content across the tendons in both sexes (P>0.05). The tenocyte distribution was significantly higher in the quadriceps (P=0.019) or semitendinosus (P=0.016) tendon than in the patellar tendon in the female but no difference was seen in the male (P=0.872). This shows that a large harvestable area may not be directly associated with a more abundant collagen content or tenocyte distribution in the tendon. However, sex-specific tenocyte distribution is an important observation that underpins the possible influence of underlying biological factors on the composition of each tendon and this requires further investigations. In all, this study will contribute to knowledge and assist orthopaedic surgeons in making an informed decision on the choice of graft.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.279-284
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• 2011

Purpose: To describe the profile of chronic and aggressive periodontitis among Senegalese (West Africans) attending the Institute of Dentistry of Dakar. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with an inclusion period running from 2001 to 2008. The sample included 413 chronic periodontitis and 151 aggressive periodontitis cases, among them 299 males and 265 females selected from 2,274 records. A Student's independent t-test or Pearson chi-squared test was used for data analysis. Results: The proportion of females with aggressive periodontitis was significantly higher than those with chronic periodontitis (64.9% vs. 40.4%, P<0.001). The aggressive periodontitis patients had an average age of $28.1{\pm}8.9$ years, and had lost less than 3 teeth. Less than a third of them reported using a toothbrush. Attachment loss was as high as 8 mm and severe lesions had spread to an average of 12 teeth with maximum alveolar bone loss up to 80%. The chronic periodontitis patients had an average age of $44.9{\pm}14.0$ and had lost on average less than 3 teeth. Nearly 75% used a toothbrush. Attachment loss was significantly higher and lesions were more extensive in the aggressive periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis is associated with risk factors such as smoking or diabetes mellitus in 12.8% versus 0.7% in aggressive periodontitis (P<0.001). Differences between the two groups for most clinical and radiographic parameters were statistically significant. Conclusions: The profile of aggressive periodontist is characterized by more severe lesions than chronic periodontitis, whereas tooth loss experience is similar in both forms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.18
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• pp.97-110
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• 1992

West African's traditional looms, weaving and raw materials, structural patterning, dyeing and basic forms of dress were examines in the present study in order to deepen the appreciation of the cultural heritage of West Africa, and to make a contribution to the policy planning for export market developing The research method employed was the analysis f written materials. The study was limited to the traditional clothing habit which is preserved and practicing by them at the present day and the origin and the process of the historical development of those are not included in the scope of the present study. Followings are the results of the study: (1) They have vertical single-heddle loom horizontal or ground single-heddle loom, and double-heddle loom. The width of the cloth produced on the single-heddle loom varies about 38.5cm to 123cm and double-heddle looms all produced on the single-heddle looms all produced narrow strips of cloth varying in width from about 1.3cm to 75cm, although the average is about 10-20cm. (2) Despite the relative simplicity of the llom technology a remarkable variety of textiles are produced. (3) The most popular decorative technique in West African compound weaves is extra-weft patterning which is produced on both single-heddle and double-heddle loom by men and women weavers. Other forms of secondary patterning on textiles in West Africa are dyeing, applique, patchwork and embroidery. (4) Two basic forms of dress have spread throughout West Africa, the poncho (bpibpi) and the wrapper. Some versions of these basic forms are supplemented by western inspired trousers, shirts and blouses coupled with accessories usually complete their traditional outfits. They have a great variety of basic poncho, like as Khasa, Gandura, Tuareg-poncho, Babariga, Rigas (agba-da), Grand-boubou, Afteck, Tagua, buba, Danshike etc. Although West Africa has long been in contact with the peoples of the Nile region as well as the Maghreb and Sahara, both the boubou styles and the wrapper styles appear to have developed with a minimum of outside influence. African Islam was the principal agent for the diffusion of the boubou styles.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9643-9647
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• 2014

Background: Several studies have been performed to investigate the association of the HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism and breast cancer risk. However, the results were inconsistent. To understand the precise relationship, a meta-analysis was here conducted. Materials and Methods: A search of PubMed conducted to investigate links between the HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism and breast cancer, identified a total of 32 studies, of which 29, including 14,926 cases and 15,768 controls, with odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess any association. Results: In the overall analysis, the HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism was associated with breast cancer in an additive genetic model (OR=1.136, 95% CI 1.043-1.239, p=0.004) and in a dominant genetic (OR=1.118, 95% CI 1.020-1.227, p=0.018), while no association was found in a recessive genetic model. On subgroup analysis, an association with breast cancer was noted in the additive genetic model (OR=1.111, 95% CI: 1.004-1.230, p=0.042) for the Caucasian subgroup. No significant associations were observed in Asians and Africans in any of the genetic models. Conclusions: In summary, our meta-analysis findings suggest that the HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism is marginally associated with breast cancer susceptibility in worldwide populations with additive and dominant models, but not a recessive model.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3417-3422
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• 2012

Objective: Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is one of the pathways of repair of DNA double-strand breaks. A number of genes involved in NHEJ have been implicated as breast cancer susceptibility genes such as LIG4. However, some studies have generated conflicting results. The aim of this Human Genome Epidemiology (HuGE) review and meta-analysis was to investigate association between LIG4 gene polymorphisms in the NHEJ pathway and breast cancer risk. Methods: Studies focusing on the relationship between LIG4 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to breast cancer were selected from the Pubmed, Cochrane library, Embase, Web of Science, Springerlink, CNKI and CBM databases. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers and the meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager Version 5.1.6 and STATA Version 12.0 software, calculating odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Results: According to the inclusion criteria, we final included seven studies with a total of 10,321 breast cancer cases and 10,160 healthy controls in the meta-analysis. The results showed no association between LIG4 gene polymorphisms (rs1805386 T>C, rs1805389 C>T, rs1805388 C>T and rs2232641 A>G) and breast cancer risk, suggesting that the mutant situation of these SNPs neither increased nor decreased the risk for breast cancer. In the subgroup analysis by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and ethnicity, we also found no associations between the variants of LIG4 gene and breast cancer risk among HWE, non-HWE, Caucasians, Asians and Africans. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that there is a lack of any association between LIG4 gene polymorphisms and the risk of breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.242-246
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• 2006

Purpose: Frequency of sesamoid bone on hallucal interphalangeal joint has been described to be low probability in orthopaedic and anatomical literature. We have, however, experienced two cases of interphalangeal joint dislocation giving difficulty to usual manipulative reduction because of presence of sesamoid bone recently. In order to ascertain existence of sesamoid bone on interphalangeal joint of hallux in Korean adults, radiological study have been performed with feet of patients Materials and Methods: Between May 2003 and October 2006, 974 patients with 1098 radiographs of feet which were reached skeletal maturity over 18-year-old were examined. Unilateral or bilateral anteroposterior, lateral and oblique radiographs were observed by one same person and presence was recorded if there was sesamoid in films. Distance of long and short axes were measured in lateral view and cases of two sesamoids in interphalangeal joint were recorded. Statistical differences between left and right side or between men and women were evaluated by chi-square test. Results: Frequency of sesamoid was 980 cases (89.3%) and no occurrence in 118 cases (10.7%). Two sesamoids were observed in 3 cases. Average distance of long axis was 4.9 mm (range, 0.5-11.4) and average distance of short axis was 3.5 mm (range, 0.3-9.3). Unilateral sesamoid was observed in 7 patients (5.6%), bilateral absence was 7 patients (5.6%) and bilateral sesamoids in 110 patients (88.8%) out of 124 patients who took bilateral feet radiographs. Men has less frequency than women significantly (p=0.014) while there was no significant difference in frequency according to side(p>0.05). Conclusion: Sesamoid bone was seen in 980 feet (89.3%) out of 1098 normal Korean radiological studies of feet. We report 3 cases of two seamoids which was extremely rarely reported in literature. Korean frequency is similar with Japanese, but much higher than Caucasians and black Africans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.44-53
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• 2014

Various Korean healthy foods containing Deoduk were developed and standardized recipe. Sensory evaluations of Koreans and foreigners for these developed foods were performed by using the 5-point hedonic scale. The results of the sensory test on foods containing Deoduk were as follows: Deoduk bap (2.90~3.91), Deoduk seolgidduk (3.19~4.40), Deoduk gangjeong (3.00~4.60), riasted Deoduk with red pepper paste (2.73~4.20), Deoduk pine nut juice salad (2.40~3.96), and Seopsansam (3.91~3.81). Deoduk seolgidduk, developed by using a recipe for Sansambyeong which in a Chosun dynasty cook-book, was highly preferred by Africans, Japanese, and Koreans. In particular, all foreigners except Southeast Asians liked Deoduk gangjeong, and both Koreans and foreigners liked Seopsansam. Foreigners' experience of eating foods containing Deoduk was high at 'No' (68.9%), whereas Japanese (60.0%) had previous experience. Exactly 91.6% of Koreans responded 'Yes' to the question of whether or not Deoduk food is good for health, whereas the proportion of foreign respondents who said 'Yes' was 43.2%, 'No' was 5.4%, and 'I don't know' was 51.4%. Deoduk seolgidduk was preferred by Japanese, and most foreigners preferred Deoduk gangjeong and Seopsansam. Therefore, Deoduk could be developed as a healthy food for globalization of Korean food. However, as foreigners' awareness of Deoduk is low, we must positively promote the health function of traditional food ingredients and develop various menus suitable forforeigners' tastes for the globalization of Korean food.

• East Asian Journal of Business Economics (EAJBE)
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.71-84
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• 2013

Purpose: The South African government is determined in alleviating poverty while encouraging job creation and protecting the disposable incomes of poor households. This article looks at the challenges that are facing the South African Social Security system and argues that the provision of income security is amongst the most practical expressions of a nation's cohesion and values. Research Design, Data and Methodology: There are seven proposals in the Social Security and Retirement Reform and these proposals are based on the following two principal objectives of the government, that is, to ensure a basic standard of living and to prevent destitution in old age or in circumstances of unemployment or incapacity partly or wholly through redistributive measures, and to encourage savings to provide for the replacement of income on retirement, disablement or death through long-term insurance arrangements. Results: This article evaluates these seven proposals, state old age pension, wage subsidy, mandatory participation in a national social security system for all, mandatory participation in private occupational or individual retirement funds, Voluntary additional contributions to occupational or individual retirement funds, reform of the governance and regulation of the retirement funding industry and reform of the tax system. Conclusion: This article concludes that the population size of South Africa has increased significantly to 51, 8 million in 2011 and therefore the time is right for bold new steps in improving income security of the poor and strengthening the fabric of social solidarity that binds all South Africans together.

• Journal of English Language & Literature
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.61-82
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• 2009

This paper aims to reexamine the issue of racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, especially in the light of Chinua Achebe's critique of the novella as a racist text entrenched with European prejudices of Africa and its people in his 1975 speech at the University of Massachusetts titled "An Image of Africa." While the novella's indictment of imperial exploitation has been noted from an early stage of its critical reception, its racism had hardly been discussed until Chinua Achebe posed it. Achebe offers the canonized status of the text as a modernist classic, "the most commonly prescribed novel in twentieth-century literature courses," as one reason for its obvious manifestations of racism being glossed over. One may add that Conrad's militant denunciation of imperialist enterprises as "a sordid farce," his seemingly radical stance against imperialism, serves as ideological constraints upon his readers, blinding them to its immanent racism. A closer look at the novella's attack on imperialism turns out to be contradictory, for it also shows such liberal-humanist ideas as the civilizing mission, the work ethic, and the superiority of civilized man, all of which served to prop up European imperialism at the end of the nineteenth century. This ideological contradiction also accounts for Conrad's racist attitude, which is betrayed in his portrayal of Africans as obscure, primitive. Euro-American imperialism has frequently justified itself by recourse to racism, but racism has not always been allied with imperialism. Some staunch racists such as Robert Knox and Arthur de Gobineau went against imperialism, and Conrad proves one of such cases whose critique of imperialism is voiced in ways that can be characterized as racist.

• The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.169-172
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• 2012

Lutheran a antigen ($Lu^a$) is detected in 6 to 8% of Caucasians and Africans. In Korean and other Asian populations, it is very rare or nearly absent. Therefore, although $Lu^a$ has a considerable immunizing capacity, sensitization to $Lu^a$ is a rare event. Here we report on a rare case of anti-$Lu^a$ in a 70 year-old female patient with Lu (a-/b+) phenotype and review the relevant literature. Due to the paucity of $Lu^a$ positive panel cells in antibody screening and identification tests, detection of this rare antibody to $Lu^a$ antigen is not feasible. Therefore, we should keep in mind the possibility of the misleading false negative result in detection of antibody to this low incidence antigen.