• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.97-104
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• 2019

To examine different types of influenza diagnostic test kits automatically, automated rapid influenza diagnostic test method based on image recognition is proposed in this paper. First, the proposed methods classify a variety of the rapid influenza diagnostic test kit based on support vector machine that analyzes the kits' feature point. Then, to improve the accuracy of test, the proposed methods match the histogram of both the target image of influenza kit and the input image of influenza kit for minimizing the effect of environment factors, such as lighting and exposure variations. And, to minimize the effect from composition of the hand-helds devices, the proposed methods extract the feature point and match point-by-point between target image of influenza kit and input image of influenza kit. Experimental results of 124 experimental group show that the proposed methods significantly have effectiveness, which shows 90% accuracy in moderate antigen, for the preliminary examination of influenza, and provides the opportunity for taking action against influenza.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.48-54
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• 2019

This paper proposed a method of validation data augmentation for improving the grading accuracy of diabetic macular edema (DME) using deep learning. The data augmentation technique is basically applied in order to secure diversity of data by transforming one image to several images through random translation, rotation, scaling and reflection in preparation of input data of the deep neural network (DNN). In this paper, we apply this technique in the validation process of the trained DNN, and improve the grading accuracy by combining the classification results of the augmented images. To verify the effectiveness, 1,200 retinal images of Messidor dataset was divided into training and validation data at the ratio 7:3. By applying random augmentation to 359 validation data, $1.61{\pm}0.55%$ accuracy improvement was achieved in the case of six times augmentation (N=6). This simple method has shown that the accuracy can be improved in the N range from 2 to 6 with the correlation coefficient of 0.5667. Therefore, it is expected to help improve the diagnostic accuracy of DME with the grading information provided by the proposed DNN.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.253-261
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• 2019

PURPOSE. To evaluate the influence of cyclic loading on phase transformation of zirconia abutments and to compare the effectiveness of three different quantitative ageing assessment techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty two Y-TZP prostheses fabricated from two brands, InCoris ZI and Ceramill ZI, were cemented to titanium bases and equally divided into two subgroups (n=8): control group without any treatment and aged group with cyclic loading between 20 N and 98 N for 100,000 cycles at 4 Hz in distilled water at $37^{\circ}C$. The tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation was assessed by (i) conventional x-ray diffraction (XRD), (ii) micro x-ray diffraction (${\mu}XRD$), and (iii) micro-Raman spectroscopy. The monoclinic-phase fractions (M%) were compared by two-way ANOVA. RESULTS. InCoris Zi presented significantly higher M% than Ceramill Zi in both control and aged groups (P<.001). Both materials exhibited significant phase transformation with monoclinicphase of 1 to 3% more in aged groups than controls for all three assessment techniques. The comparable M% was quantified by both ${\mu}XRD$ and XRD. The highest M% was assessed with micro-Raman. CONCLUSION. Cyclic loading produced significant phase transformation in tested Y-TZP prostheses. The micro-Raman spectroscopy could be used as an alternative to XRD and ${\mu}XRD$.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.903-920
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• 2020

Since its first demonstration as a practical genome editing tool in the early 2010s, the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) along with the endonuclease Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) has become an essential choice for generating targeted mutations. Due to its relative simplicity and cost-effectiveness compared to other molecular scissors, i.e., zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been shown to have a massive influence on genetic studies regardless of the biological kingdom. Although the system is in the process of being established, numerous protocols have already been released for the system and there have been various topics of CRISPR related papers published each year in ever-increasing manner. Here, we will briefly introduce CRISPR/Cas9 system and discuss the variants of the CRISPR system. Also, their applications to crop improvement will be dealt with mainly ornamental crops among horticultural crops other than Arabidopsis as a model plant. Finally, some issues on the barriers restraining the use of CRISPR system on floricultural crops, the prospect of CRISPR system as a DNA-free genome editing tool with efficient facilitators and finally, the future perspectives on the CRISPR system will be described.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using X-rays is a standard technique implemented for treating head and neck cancer (HN C). Compared to 3D conformal RT, IMRT can significantly reduce the radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues by using a highly conformal dose to the tumor. Proton therapy is a type of RT that uses positively charged particles named protons. Proton therapy has a unique energy deposit (i.e., Bragg peak) and greater biological effectiveness than that of therapy using X-rays. These inherent properties of proton therapy make the technique advantageous for HNC treatment. Recently, advanced techniques such as intensity-modulated proton therapy have further decreased the dose to normal organs with a higher conformal dose to the tumor. The usage of proton therapy for HNC is becoming widespread as the number of operational proton therapy centers has increased worldwide. This paper aims to present the current clinical evidence of proton therapy utility to HNC clinicians through a literature review. It also discusses the challenges associated with proton therapy and prospective development of the technique.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2022

This research is to measure real-time temperature distribution inside a tissue-mimicking phantom for the safety and effectiveness evaluations of focused ultrasound (FUS) device capable of linear scanning stimulation. Since the focusing area of the FUS stimulation device is smaller than diameter of conventional thermal probe and keeps moving, it is impossible to monitor temperature distribution inside the phantom. By using the phantom with a thin film temperature sensor array inserted, real-time temperature change caused by the FUS device was measured. The translation of the measured temperature peak was also tracked successfully. The present phantom had been experimentally proven to be applicable to validate the performance and safety of the therapeutic ultrasound devices.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.621-639
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• 2022

Cortisol and corticosterone, hormones traditionally considered biomarkers of stress, can be measured in fluid biomatrices (e.g., blood, saliva) from live animals to evaluate conditions at sampling time, or in solid biomatrices (e.g., hair, feather) from live or dead animals to obtain information regarding long-term changes. Using these biomarkers to evaluate physiological stress responses in domestic animals may be challenging due to the diverse characteristics of biomatrices for potential measurement. Ideally, a single measurement from the biomatrix should be sufficient for evaluating chronic stress. The availability of appropriate and cost-effective immunoassay methods for detecting the biomarkers should also be considered. This review discusses the strengths and limitations of different biomatrices with regard to ensuring the highest possible reliability for chronic stress evaluation. Overall, solid biomatrices require less frequent sampling than other biomatrices, resulting in greater time- and cost-effectiveness, greater ease of use, and fewer errors. The multiplex immunoassay can be used to analyze interactions and correlations between cortisol and other stress biomarkers in the same biomatrix. In light of the lack of information regarding appropriate biomatrices for measuring chronic stress, this review may help investigators set experimental conditions or design biological research.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.264-274
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• 2023

Purpose: The objective is to extract insights that can contribute to the formulation of harmonized international policies and support measures for innovative medical devices and management systems. This study aims to propose effective strategies for future medical device innovation and healthcare delivery. Results: It investigates technological advancements, regulatory approval systems, insurance policies, and successful commercialization cases in South Korea, the United States, and the European Union. In 2018, the FDA implemented insurance coverage for Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and recognized insurance coverage for Digital Therapeutics (DTx). Germany is a country that ensures permanent reimbursement for healthcare applications since 2020, making it the first country to provide legal health insurance coverage for fostering a digital ecosystem. Conclusion: The findings of this research highlight the importance of cultivating a supportive regulatory and environmental framework to facilitate the adoption of innovative medical devices. Continuous support for research and development (R&D) efforts by companies, along with the validation of clinical effectiveness, is crucial.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.8
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• 2023

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness, and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type. Due to inadequate diagnosis, treatment is often not administered until symptoms occur. Hence, approaches enabling earlier prediction or diagnosis of POAG are necessary. We aimed to identify novel drugs for glaucoma through bioinformatics and network analysis. Data from 36 samples, obtained from the trabecular meshwork of healthy individuals and patients with POAG, were acquired from a dataset. Next, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. In both stages, the genes were enriched by studying the critical biological processes and pathways related to POAG. Finally, a drug-gene network was constructed, and novel drugs for POAG treatment were proposed. Genes with p < 0.01 and |log fold change| > 0.3 (1,350 genes) were considered DEGs and utilized to construct a PPI network. Enrichment analysis yielded several key pathways that were upregulated or downregulated. For example, extracellular matrix organization, the immune system, neutrophil degranulation, and cytokine signaling were upregulated among immune pathways, while signal transduction, the immune system, extracellular matrix organization, and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling were downregulated. Finally, novel drugs including metformin hydrochloride, ixazomib citrate, and cisplatin warrant further analysis of their potential roles in POAG treatment. The candidate drugs identified in this computational analysis require in vitro and in vivo validation to confirm their effectiveness in POAG treatment. This may pave the way for understanding life-threatening disorders such as cancer.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on skin temperature, pain, muscle tone, and ROM after applying the massage robot "PIRO-ZERO" to 6 men and 4 women in their 20s who complained of non-specific pain in the shoulder or back for more than 12 weeks. As a result of the study, there was a significant increase in skin temperature not only in the area where the massage was applied, but also on the opposite side and throughout the body due to increased blood flow. Pain in the upper trapezius, rhomboid, and erector spinae muscle was decreased, and muscle tone in the erector spinae muscles was significantly decreased. There was a significant increase in ROM of neck and trunk flexion, which is thought to be because the massage reduced muscle tone around the spine, increasing flexibility. In the future, as the safety and effectiveness of massage robots are further verified and the pressure, speed, and path become more diverse, satisfaction is expected to increase.