• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.976-985
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• 2022

Objective: To compare the clinical and radiological features of various etiologies of chronic diffuse lacrimal gland enlargement. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 91 consecutive patients who underwent surgical biopsy for chronic diffuse lacrimal gland enlargement and were diagnosed with non-specific dacryoadenitis (DA) (n = 42), immunoglobulin G4-related dacryoadenitis (IgG4-RD) (n = 33), and lymphoma (n = 16). Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, and CT imaging findings (n = 73) and MRI (n = 43) were collected. The following radiologic features of lacrimal gland enlargement were evaluated: size, unilaterality, wedge sign, angle with the orbital wall, heterogeneity, signal intensity, degree of enhancement, patterns of dynamic contrast-enhanced, and apparent diffusion coefficient value. Radiological features outside the lacrimal glands, such as extra-lacrimal orbital involvement and extra-orbital head and neck involvement, were also evaluated. The clinical and radiological findings were compared among the three diseases. Results: Compared to the DA and IgG4-RD groups, the lymphoma group was significantly older (mean 59.9 vs. 46.0 and 49.4 years, respectively; p = 0.001) and had a higher frequency of unilateral involvement (62.5% vs. 31.0% and 15.2%, respectively; p = 0.004). Compared to the IgG4-RD and lymphoma groups, the DA group had significantly smaller lacrimal glands (2.3 vs. 2.8 and 3.3 cm, respectively; p < 0.001) and a lower proportion of cases with a wedge sign (54.8% vs. 84.8% and 87.5%, respectively; p = 0.005). The IgG4-RD group showed more frequent involvement of the extra-orbital head and neck structures, including the infraorbital nerve (36.4%), paranasal sinus (72.7%), and salivary gland (58.6%) compared to the DA and lymphoma groups (4.8%-28.6%) (all p < 0.005). Conclusion: Patient age, unilaterality, lacrimal gland size, wedge sign, and extra-orbital head and neck involvement differed significantly different between lymphoma, DA, and IgG4-RD. Our results will be useful for the differential diagnosis and proper management of chronic lacrimal gland enlargement.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.25.1-25.16
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• 2021

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease whose development is shaped by a variety of environmental and genetic factors. While several recent studies suggest that microbial dysbiosis in the gut may promote asthma, little is known about the relationship between the recently discovered lung microbiome and asthma. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have also been shown recently to participate in asthma. To investigate the relationship between the lung microbiome, ILCs, and asthma, we recruited 23 healthy controls (HC), 42 patients with non-severe asthma, and 32 patients with severe asthma. Flow cytometry analysis showed severe asthma associated with fewer natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR)⁺ILC3s in the lung. Similar changes in other ILC subsets, macrophages, and monocytes were not observed. The asthma patients did not differ from the HC in terms of the alpha and beta-diversity of the lung and gut microbiomes. However, lung function correlated positively with both NCR⁺ILC3 frequencies and microbial diversity in the lung. Sputum NCR⁺ILC3 frequencies correlated positively with lung microbiome diversity in the HC, but this relationship was inversed in severe asthma. Together, these data suggest that airway NCR⁺ILC3s may contribute to a healthy commensal diversity and normal lung function.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.380-387
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: In 2019, the grading and staging system for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) was significantly changed. In this study, we report the clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with extrahepatic biliary NENs who underwent curative resection with or without adjuvant treatment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a database of 16 patients who developed NENs, neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and mixed endocrine non-endocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) after curative resection. Among them, eight patients had ampulla of Vater (AoV) tumors, and eight patients had non-AoV tumors. Results: G1 and G2 were more frequently observed in the AoV group than in the non-AoV group (12.5% and 62.5%, respectively). In contrast, NEC and MiNEN were more common in the non-AoV group (50.0%). High Ki-67 index (> 20%) and perineural invasion (PNI) were more frequently observed in the non-AoV group. Advanced age (> 65 years), mitotic count > 20 per 2 mm², and Ki-67 index > 20% were strongly correlated with patient survival (p = 0.018, 0.009, and 0.044, respectively). Advanced age (> 65 years) and mitotic count > 20 per 2 mm² were significantly correlated with disease recurrence (p = 0.033 and 0.010, respectively). Conclusions: AoV and non-AoV tumors had significant differences in the histologic grade, Ki67, and PNI. Patients with non-AoV tumors had an increased risk for survival and recurrence than those in the AoV group. For extrahepatic biliary NENs, early detection of tumors, adequate surgery, and aggressive adjuvant treatment for high-risk patients are important to achieve long-term survival and prevent disease recurrence.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1036-1044
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the clinical feasibility of synthetic diffusion-weighted imaging (sDWI) at different b-values in patients with breast cancer by assessing the diagnostic image quality and the quantitative measurements compared with conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (cDWI). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with breast cancer were assessed using cDWI at b-values of 800 and 1500 s/mm² (cDWI₈₀₀ and cDWI₁₅₀₀) and sDWI at b-values of 1000 and 1500 s/mm² (sDWI₁₀₀₀ and sDWI₁₅₀₀). Qualitative analysis (normal glandular tissue suppression, overall image quality, and lesion conspicuity) was performed using a 4-point Likert-scale for all DWI sets and the cancer detection rate (CDR) was calculated. We also evaluated cancer-to-parenchyma contrast ratios for each DWI set in 45 patients with the lesion identified on any of the DWI sets. Statistical comparisons were performed using Friedman test, one-way analysis of variance, and Cochran's Q test. Results: All parameters of qualitative analysis, cancer-to-parenchyma contrast ratios, and CDR increased with increasing b-values, regardless of the type of imaging (synthetic or conventional) (p < 0.001). Additionally, sDWI₁₅₀₀ provided better lesion conspicuity than cDWI₁₅₀₀ (3.52 ± 0.92 vs. 3.39 ± 0.90, p < 0.05). Although cDWI₁₅₀₀ showed better normal glandular tissue suppression and overall image quality than sDWI₁₅₀₀ (3.66 ± 0.78 and 3.73 ± 0.62 vs. 3.32 ± 0.90 and 3.35 ± 0.81, respectively; p < 0.05), there was no significant difference in their CDR (90.0%). Cancer-to-parenchyma contrast ratios were greater in sDWI₁₅₀₀ than in cDWI₁₅₀₀ (0.63 ± 0.17 vs. 0.55 ± 0.18, p < 0.001). Conclusion: sDWI₁₅₀₀ can be feasible for evaluating breast cancers in clinical practice. It provides higher tumor conspicuity, better cancer-to-parenchyma contrast ratio, and comparable CDR when compared with cDWI₁₅₀₀.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.403-409
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• 2024

In this paper, the guidelines for the design of an Artificial Intelligence(AI) based Integrated Process Safety Management(PSM) system to enhance workplace safety using data from process safety reports submitted by hazardous and risky facility operators in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act is proposed. The system composed of the proposed guidelines is to be implemented separately by individual facility operators and specialized process safety management agencies for single or multiple workplaces. It is structured with key components and stages, including data collection and preprocessing, expansion and segmentation, labeling, and the construction of training datasets. It enables the collection of process operation data and change approval data from various processes, allowing potential fault prediction and maintenance planning through the analysis of all data generated in workplace operations, thereby supporting decision-making during process operation. Moreover, it offers utility and effectiveness in time and cost savings, detection and prediction of various risk factors, including human errors, and continuous model improvement through the use of accurate and reliable training data and specialized datasets. Through this approach, it becomes possible to enhance workplace safety and prevent accidents.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.706-714
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and procedural characteristics of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous transthoracic pleural forceps biopsy (PTPFB) in patients with exudative pleural effusion. Materials and Methods: Patients with exudative pleural effusion who underwent PTPFB between May 1, 2014, and February 28, 2023, were included in this retrospective study. The interval between percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and PTPFB, number of biopsies, procedural time, and procedure-related complications were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosing malignancy were computed for pleural cytology using PCD drainage, PTPFB, and combined PTPFB and pleural cytology. Results: Seventy-one patients, comprising 50 male and 21 female (mean age, 69.5 ± 15.3 years), were included in this study. The final diagnoses were benign lesions in 48 patients (67.6%) and malignant in 23 patients (32.4%). The overall interval between PCD and biopsy was 2.4 ± 3.7 days. The interval between PCD and biopsy in the group that underwent delayed PTPFB was 5.2 ± 3.9 days. The mean number of biopsies was 4.5 ± 1.3. The mean procedural time was 4.4 ± 2.1 minutes. Minor bleeding complications were reported in one patient (1.4%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for pleural cytology, PTPFB, and combined PTPFB and pleural cytology were 47.8% (11/23), 100% (48/48), and 83.1% (59/71), respectively; 65.2% (15/23), 100% (48/48), and 88.7% (63/71), respectively; and 78.3% (18/23), 100% (48/48), and 93.0% (66/71), respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy of cytology combined with PTPFB were significantly higher than those of cytological testing alone (P = 0.008 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Fluoroscopy-guided PTPFB is an accurate and safe diagnostic technique for patients with exudative pleural effusion, with acceptable diagnostic performance, low complication rates, and reasonable procedural times.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.76-86
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• 2024

This study sought to introduce smart urban regeneration to solve the problem of aging and substandard housing in large cities that occurred during the rapid industrialization and urbanization of local cities in Korea. Accordingly, this study aims to activative the old downtown through the convergence of the existing urban regeneration project and smart city project and to improve the physical, social, and economic aspects. As a research method, the literature related to smart cities and urban regeneration was systematically reviewed, and the possibility of introducing smart city services in the Samho-dong district of Yangsan City was explored through domestic and foreign case analysis. As a result of the research, the necessity of smart urban regeneration was highlighted, and the conclusion was reached that it is important to improve the efficiency of urban regeneration projects by using information and communication technology and strengthen sustainability by urban regeneration. This study is expected to contribute to the activative the old downtown and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens, and it is necessary to strengthen the interaction between smart city and urban regeneration in the future, and the introduction of smart city services suitable for local characteristics is judged to play an important role in sustainable urban development through local community and citizen participation.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.311-323
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as a treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects a large number of people across the world. Treatment of AD using human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUCB-MSCs) has recently been studied. However, the mechanism underlying their effect needs to be studied continuously. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) secreted by hUCB-MSCs on AD. Methods and Results: To explore the mechanism involved in the therapeutic effect of MSCs for AD, a secretome array was performed using culture medium of hUCB-MSCs. Among the list of genes common for epithelium development and skin diseases, we focused on the function of EGF. To elucidate the effect of EGF secreted by hUCB-MSCs, EGF was downregulated in hUCB-MSCs using EGF-targeting small interfering RNA. These cells were then co-cultured with keratinocytes, Th2 cells, and mast cells. Depletion of EGF disrupted immunomodulatory effects of hUCB-MSCs on these AD-related inflammatory cells. In a Dermatophagoides farinae-induced AD mouse model, subcutaneous injection of hUCB-MSCs ameliorated gross scoring, histopathologic damage, and mast cell infiltration. It also significantly reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and IL-22, as well as IgE levels. These therapeutic effects were significantly attenuated at all evaluation points in mice injected with EGF-depleted hUCB-MSCs. Conclusions: EGF secreted by hUCB-MSCs can improve AD by regulating inflammatory responses of keratinocytes, Th2 cells, and mast cells.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.725-733
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• 2024

This study aims to develop an artificial intelligence-based model for predicting the causes of chemical accidents, utilizing data on 865 chemical accident situations and cases provided by the Chemical Safety Agency under the Ministry of Environment from January 2014 to January 2024. The research involved training the data using six artificial intelligence models and compared evaluation metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Based on 356 chemical accident cases from 2020 to 2024, additional training data sets were applied using chemical accident cause investigations and similar accident prevention measures suggested by the Chemical Safety Agency from 2021 to 2022. Through this process, the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) model showed an accuracy of 0.6590 and a precision of 0.6821. the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) model showed an accuracy of 0.6590 and a precision of 0.6821. The Logistic Regression model improved its accuracy from 0.6647 to 0.7778 and its precision from 0.6790 to 0.7992, confirming that the Logistic Regression model is the most effective for predicting the causes of chemical accidents.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.4 s.139
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• pp.368-374
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• 2004

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of female death. Viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 are selectively retained and expressed in carcinoma cells infected with HPV (Human papillomavirus) type 16. The HPV is cooperated in immotalization and transformation of primary keratinocyte. E6 and E7 oncoproteins interfere the functions of tumor suppressor proteins p53 and retinoblasoma protein (pRb), respectively. Among a lots of natural products, Artemisia scoparia Waldstein et Kitamura has inhibitory effects on the binding between E6 oncoprotein and tumor suppressor p53, or the binding between E6 and E6 associated protein (E6AP), an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. HPV oncoprotein inhibitors from Artemisia scoparia W. were isolated by solvent partition and column chromatography (Silica gel, RP-18) and the inhibitory compounds were finally purified by HPLC using an ELISA screening system based on the binding between E6 and E6AP. The aim of this study is to identify the structure of inhibitory compounds and to investigate whether these compounds have inhibitory effects on the functions of E6 oncoprotein. We investigated whether 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (DCQA) extracted from Artemisia scoparia W. Could inhibit the function of E6 oncoprutein. DCQA inhibited the in vitro binding of E6 and E6AP which are essential for the binding and degradation of the tumor suppressor p53 and also inhibited the proliferation of human cervical cancer cell lines (SiHa and CaSKi) in a dose response manner. These results suggest that DCQA inhibited the function of E6 oncoprotein, suggesting that it can be used as a potential drug for the treatment of cervical cancers infected with HPV.