• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4745-4749
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• 2012

The diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (MM) remains a clinical challenge and the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay has been reported to be one promising tool. The present meta-analysis aimed to establish the overall diagnostic accuracy of FISH for diagnosing MM. After a systematic review of English language studies, the sensitivity, specificity and other measures of accuracy of FISH in the diagnosis of MM were pooled using random-effects models. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves were applied to summarize overall test performance. Nine studies met our inclusion criteria, the pooled sensitivity and specificity for FISH for diagnosing MM being 0.72 (95% CI 0.67-0.76) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.98-1.00), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 34.5 (95% CI 14.5-82.10), the negative likelihood ratio was 0.24 (95% CI 0.16-0.36), and the diagnostic odds ratio was 204.9 (95% CI 76.8-546.6), the area under the curve being 0.99. Our data suggest that the FISH assay is likely to be a useful diagnostic tool for confirming MM. However, considering the limited studies and patients included, further large scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4469-4475
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• 2012

Background: The potential use of hypomethylation of Long INterspersed Element 1 (LINE-1) and Alu elements (Alu) as a biomarker has been comprehensively assessed in several cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Failure to detect occult metastatic head and neck tumors on radical neck lymph node dissection can affect the therapeutic measures taken. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the LINE-1 and Alu methylation status and determine whether it can be applied for detection of occult metastatic tumors in HNSCC cases. Methods: We used the Combine Bisulfite Restriction Analysis (COBRA) technique to analyse LINE-1 and Alu methylation status. In addition to the methylation level, LINE-1 and Alu loci were classified based on the methylation statuses of two CpG dinucleotides in each allele as follows: hypermethylation ($^mC^mC$), hypomethylation ($^uC^uC$), and 2 forms of partial methylation ($^mC^uC$ and $^uC^mC$). Sixty-one lymph nodes were divided into 3 groups: 1) non-metastatic head and neck cancer (NM), 2) histologically negative for tumor cells of cases with metastatic head and neck cancer (LN), and 3) histologically positive for tumor cells (LP). Results: Alu methylation change was not significant. However, LINE-1 methylation of both LN and LP was altered, as demonstrated by the lower LINE-1 methylation levels (p<0.001), higher percentage of $^mC^uC$ (p<0.01), lower percentage of $^uC^mC$ (p<0.001) and higher percentage of $^uC^uC$ (p<0.001). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, $%^uC^mC$ and $%^mC^uC$ values revealed a high level of AUC at 0.806 and 0.716, respectively, in distinguishing LN from NM. Conclusion: The LINE-1 methylation changes in LN have the same pattern as that in LP. This epigenomic change may be due to the presence of occult metastatic tumor in LN cases.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted steady-state free precession (DW-SSFP) in comparison to diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging (DW-EPI) for differentiating the neoplastic and benign osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 40 patients with recent vertebral compression fractures but no history of vertebroplasty, spine operation, or chemotherapy. They had received 3-Tesla (T) spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including both DW-SSFP and DW-EPI sequences. The 40 patients included 20 with neoplastic vertebral fracture and 20 with benign osteoporotic vertebral fracture. In each fracture lesion, we obtained the signal intensity normalized by the signal intensity of normal bone marrow (SI norm) on DW-SSFP and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on DW-EPI. The correlation between the SI norm and the ADC in each lesion was analyzed using linear regression. The optimal cut-off values for the diagnosis of neoplastic fracture were determined in each sequence using Youden's J statistics and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Results: In the neoplastic fracture, the median SI norm on DW-SSFP was higher and the median ADC on DW-EPI was lower than the benign osteoporotic fracture (5.24 vs. 1.30, P = 0.032, and 0.86 vs. 1.48, P = 0.041, respectively). Inverse linear correlations were evident between SI norm and ADC in both neoplastic and benign osteoporotic fractures (r = -0.45 and -0.61, respectively). The optimal cut-off values for diagnosis of neoplastic fracture were SI norm of 3.0 in DW-SSFP with the sensitivity and specificity of 90.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 81.0-99.0) and 95.3% (95% CI: 90.0-100.0), respectively, and ADC of 1.3 in DW-EPI with the sensitivity and specificity of 90.5% (95% CI: 80.0-100.0) and 70.4% (95% CI: 60.0-80.0), respectively. Conclusion: In 3-T MRI, DW-SSFP has comparable sensitivity and specificity to DW-EPI in differentiating the neoplastic vertebral fracture from the benign osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2020

Background: Differentiation of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) schwannoma from meningioma is often a difficult process to identify. Purpose: To identify imaging features for distinguishing CPA schwannoma from meningioma and to investigate the usefulness of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in differentiating them. Materials and Methods: Between March 2010 and January 2015, this study pathologically confirmed 11 meningiomas and 20 schwannomas involving CPA with preoperative SWI were retrospectively reviewed. Generally, the following MRI features were evaluated: 1) maximal diameter on axial image, 2) angle between tumor border and adjacent petrous bone, 3) presence of intratumoral dark signal intensity on SWI, 4) tumor consistency, 5) blood-fluid level, 6) involvement of internal auditory canal (IAC), 7) dural tail, and 8) involvement of adjacent intracranial space. On CT, 1) presence of dilatation of IAC, 2) intratumoral calcification, and 3) adjacent hyperostosis were evaluated. All features were compared using Chi-squared tests and Fisher's exact tests. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify imaging features that differentiate both tumors. Results: The results noted that schwannomas more frequently demonstrated dark spots on SWI (P = 0.025), cystic consistency (P = 0.034), and globular angle (P = 0.008); schwannomas showed more dilatation of internal auditory meatus and lack of calcification (P = 0.008 and P = 0.02, respectively). However, it was shown that dural tail was more common in meningiomas (P < 0.007). In general, dark spots on SWI and dural tail remained significant in multivariate analysis (P = 0.037 and P = 0.012, respectively). In this case, the combination of two features showed a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 100% respectively, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9. Conclusion: In conclusion, dark spots on SWI were found to be helpful in differentiating CPA schwannoma from meningioma. It is noted that combining dural tail with dark spots on SWI yielded strong diagnostic value in differentiating both tumors.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.619-629
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• 2009

The objective of this study is to estimate bed-resistance in gravel-bed rivers using the equivalent roughness height($k_s$). We calculated the friction factor(f) with the measured data from 8 domestic gravel-bed rivers and investigated the size distributions of the bed materials. The averaged $k_s$ in each cross-section, which is determined under the hypothesis that the vertical velocity distribution follows the logarithmic law, is compared with the reach $k_s$ which is calculated with the cumulative grain diameter distribution curve of bed materials. Moreover, the applicability of existing formulae, such as Strickler type equations, is examined by comparing with Manning's n value converted from the $k_s$. According to the results, the reach $k_s$ proves to be a good indicator of representative characteristic of bed materials in a reach, and the Manning's n based on the reach $k_s$ is appropriate for practical estimation of the bed-resistance, for RMS errors between calculated and measured Manning's n is less than 0.003. The correlation between the $k_s$ and specified bed-material size($D_i$) is very low, so it is difficult to select a proper one among the existing empirical equations.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.354-362
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• 2018

Periogen is a new caries activity test using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of Periogen by evaluating the correlation with dmft, dmfts indices and comparing with Cariview and caries risk assessment tool (CAT). 83 children under 6 participated in this study. Dmft, dmfts indices and CAT were collected through an examination of oral health status. Plaque samples for Periogen and Cariview were collected and manipulated according to the manufactures' instructions. The correlation coefficient of Periogen, Cariview and CAT with the dmfts index were 0.38, 0.56 and 0.66 in each (p < 0.01). The sensitivity of Periogen, Cariview and CAT were 43%, 76% and 95% and specificity were 80%, 72% and 74% respectively. Area under curve under the receiver operating characteristic curves in each method indicated 0.69, 0.81 and 0.85. CAT and Cariview were more effective in evaluation the risk of dental caries than Periogen so far. To be used Periogen clinically, more improvements for higher validity were needed.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2006

There are two types of metal hydride electrodes as a negative electrode in a Ni-MH battery, $AB_2$ Zr-based Laves phases and $AB_5$ LM(La-rich mischmetal)-based alloys. The $AB_5$ alloy electrodes have characteristic properties such as a large discharge capacity per volume, easiness in activation, long cycle life and a low cost of alloy. However they have a relatively small discharge capacity per weight. The $AB_2$alloy electrodes have a much higher discharge capacity per weight than $AB_5$ alloy electrodes, however they have some disadvantages of poor activation behavior and cycle life. Therefore, in order to improve the discharge capacity of the $AB_5$ alloy electrode the Zr, Ti and V which are the alloying elements of the $AB_2$ alloys were added to the $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}$ alloy which was chosen as a $AB_5$ alloy with a high capacity. The addition of Zr, Ti and V to $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}$ alloy improved the activation to be completed in two cycles. The discharge capacities of Zr 0.02, Ti 0.02 and V 0.1 alloys in $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}M_y$ (M = Zr, Ti, V) were respectively 346, 348 and 366 mAh/g alloy. The alloy electrodes, Zr 0.02, Ti 0.05 and V 0.1 in $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}M_y$ (M = Zr, Ti, V), have shown good cycle property after 200 cycles. The rate capability of the $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}M_y$ (M = Zr, Ti, V) alloy electrodes were very good until 0.6 C rate and the alloys, Zr 0.02, Ti 0.05 and V 0.1, have shown the best result as 92 % at 2.4 C rate. The charge retention property of the $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}M_y$ (M = Zr, Ti, V) alloys was not good and the alloys with M content from 0.02 to 0.05 showed better charge retention properties.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.8 no.1_2
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• pp.1-11
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• 1974

The author in an attempt to evaluate hemodynamic changes in the clinical stages of Korean hemorrhagic fever measured plasma volume, cardiac output and effective renal plasma flow utilizing radioisoto es during various phases of the disease. Cardiac output was measured by radiocardiography with external monitoring method using RIHSA. Effective renal plasma flow was obtained from blood clearance curve drawn by external monitoring after radiohippuran injection according to the method described by Razzak et al. The study was carried out in thirty-eight cases of Korean hemorrhagic fever and the following conclusions were obtained. 1. Plasma volume was increased in the patients during the oliguric-and hypertensive diuretic phases, while it was normal in the patients during the normotensive-diuretic phase. 2. Cardiac index was increased in the patients during the oliguric phase and was slightly increased in the patients at the hypertensive diuretic phase. It was normal in the other phases. 3. Total peripheral resistance was increased in the hypertensive patients during diuretic phase, while it was normal in the rest of phases. 4. Effective renal plasma flow was significantly reduced in the patients during the oliguric and diuretic phases as well as at one month after the oliguric onset. There was no significant difference between the oliguric and the early diuretic phases. Renal plasma flow in the group of patients at one month after the oliguric onset was about 45% of the normal, however, it returned to normal level at six months after the onset. 5. Clinical syndrome of relative hypervolemia was observed in some patients during the oliguric phase or hypertensive diuretic phase. Characteristic hemodynamic findings were high cardiac output and normal to relatively increased peripheral resistance in these cases. Relatively increased circulating blood volume due to decreased effective vascular space was suggested for the mechanism of relative hypervolemia. 6. Cardiac hemodynamic alteration returned to normal during late stage of the diuretic phase, while renal hemodynamic changes were normalized at six months after the onset.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.160-169
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• 1996

Parametric studies are conducted for optimizing the integration design between gas turbine compressor and air separation unit (ASU) of integrated gasification combined cycle power plant. The present study adopts the ASU of double-distillation column process, from which integration conditions with compressor such as the heat exchanger condition between air and nitrogen, the amount and the pressure of extracted air are defined and mathematically formulated. The performance variations of the compressor integrated with ASU are analyzed by combining streamline curvature method and pressure loss models, and the predicted results are compared with the performance test results of actual compressors to verify the prediction accuracy. Using the present performance prediction method, the effects of pinch-point temperature difference (PTD) in the heat exchanger, the amount and the pressure of extracted air on compressor performances are quantitatively examined. As the extraction air amount or the PTD is increased, the pressure ratio and the power consumption of compressor are increased. The compressor efficiency deteriorates as the increase of the flow rate of air extracted at higher pressure level while improving at lower pressure air extraction. Furthermore, through the characteristic curve between generalized inlet condition and efficiency of compressor, optimal integration condition is presented to maximize the compressor efficiency.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.266-272
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• 1997

In order to investigate the compression and decompression properties of cucumber, radish, garlic, ginger and potato, edible parts of samples were prepared to size of ${\Phi}\;5\;mm{\times}H\;5\;mm$, and force deformation relationship during application and removal of force were observed. Compositions of sample and cell characteristics were measured, and correlations between them were investigated. Deformation rate was large in initial stage of compression and decreased afterward, but the reverse trends were observed in the decompression. The time and deformation to 9 N were large of 5.30 sec and 1.344 mm in potato, and small of 4.62 sec and 0.896 mm in garlic, respectively. Force(y)-deformation(x) curve between compression and decompression were clearly showed hysteresis loop and relationship of x and y were as follows: y=esp (a+b log(x)). The maximum work was $3.888{\sim}5.099{\times}10^{-3}\;J$ for potato in compression and $2.09{\times}10^{-3}\;J$ for garlic in decompression. Irrecoverable work were large as $77{\sim}96%$ in cucumber, radish and potato, and small as $36{\sim}42%$ in garlic. Compression deformation were large as $1.016{\sim}1.344\;mm$ in potato, and small as $0.656{\sim}0.896\;mm$ in garlic. Degree of elasticity were large as $0.756{\sim}0.777$ in garlic, and small as $0.301{\sim}0.465$ in radish and potato. Compression and decompression characteristic values were showed high correlation with moisture, viscosity of juice, ceil size, density and regularity.