• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.68-73
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• 2005

Pharmacogenomics research requires an intelligent integration of large-scale genomic and clinical data with public and private knowledge resources. We developed a web-based knowledge base for KPRN (Korea Pharmacogenomics Research Network, http://kprn.snubi. org/). Four major types of information is integrated; genetic variation, drug information, disease information, and literature annotation. Eighteen Korean pharmacogenomics research groups in collaboration have submitted 859 genotype data sets for 91 disease-related genes. Integrative analysis and visualization of the large collection of data supported by integrated biomedical path­ways and ontology resources are provided with a user-friendly interface and visualization engine empowered by Generic Genome Browser.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2012

Purpose : Bridge exercise has been commonly used in clinical rehabilitation settings to improve trunk control, and hip adductor muscles were a related muscle that may affect trunk muscle activation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the co-contraction of hip adductor muscles may affect trunk muscle activation during bridge exercises. Methods : Thirty-eight healthy young subjects (19 men and 19 women) performed bridge exercises (with and without hip adduction movement). Surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the dominant-side internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF) and erect spine (ES) during bridge exercises to compare trunk muscles activation patterns. Result : The EMG activities of IO and RA appeared to be significantly higher during bridge exercise with hip adductor co-contraction than during bridge exercise alone (p<.01), but there were no significant differences in those of MF and ES. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the IO:RA EMG ratio during bridge exercise with hip adductor co-contraction (p<.05). Conclusion : These findings suggest that integration of hip adduction during bridge exercise may be beneficial in increasing deep muscles' activity for trunk stabilization.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.117-131
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• 2021

Purpose: This study is a qualitative study that investigated the nature of Koreans' spiritual health using a hybrid model, clarifying the definition and attributes of the concept. Methods: The nature and definition of Koreans' spiritual health were identified through a review of the extensive literature at the theoretical stage and then compared with an analysis of the in-depth interview data conducted by the researcher in the fieldwork stage. Results: Koreans' spiritual health comprised nine attributes: awareness of the meaning and purpose of life, self-awareness, self-acceptance and recognition, self-transcendence, self-integration, harmony of relationships, self-actualization and development, the inner affective attributes of hope, happiness, fulfillment and thankful mind, and the interpersonal affective attributes of one connected mind, compassion, generosity and humility. The scope of the Absolute is expanded to 'heaven' and 'ancestors', and harmony with the community is emphasized. Conclusion: We have found that Koreans' spiritual health is important for total nursing care and that mental, social and physical health can be improved if spiritual health is promoted. Considering this point, personal and organizational efforts are needed to ensure that spiritual nursing is positively applied in community and clinical settings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

Models of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are still difficult to grasp from the view of a Western-cultural background. For proper integration into science and clinical research, it is vital to think "out of the box" of classical sciences. Modern sciences, such as quantum physics, system theory, and information theory offer new models, that reveal TCM as a method to process information. For this purpose, we apply concepts of information theory to propose a "Chinese black box model," that allows for a non-deterministic, bottom-up approach. Considering a patient as an undeterminable complex system, the process of getting information about an individual in Chinese diagnostics is compared to the input-process-output principle of information theory and quantum physics, which is further illustrated by Wheeler's "surprise 20 questions." In TCM, an observer uses a decision-making algorithm to qualify diagnostic information by the binary polarities of "yang" (latin activity) and "yin" (latin structivity) according to the so called "8 principles" (latin 8 guiding criteria). A systematic reconstruction of ancient Chinese terms and concepts illuminates a scattered scientific method, which is specified in a medical context by Latin terminology of the sinologist Porkert [definitions of the Latin terms are presented in Porkert's appendix [1] (cf. Limitations)].

• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2019

In this study, a system to increase the expressiveness of existing standard terminology using three-dimensional (3D) data is designed. We analyze the existing medical terminology system by searching the reference literature and perform an expert group focus survey. A human body image is generated using a 3D modeling tool. Then, the anatomical position of the human body is mapped to the 3D coordinates' identification (ID) and metadata. We define the term to represent the 3D human body position in a total of 12 categories, including semantic terminology entity and semantic disorder. The Blender and 3ds Max programs are used to create the 3D model from medical imaging data. The generated 3D human body model is expressed by the ID of the coordinate type (x, y, and z axes) based on the anatomical position and mapped to the semantic entity including the meaning. We propose a system of standard terminology enabling integration and utilization of the 3D human body model, coordinates (ID), and metadata. In the future, through cooperation with the Electronic Health Record system, we will contribute to clinical research to generate higher-quality big data.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.103-130
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• 2019

Objectives : In this paper, the life and medical philosophy of Jo, Heonyeong, a Korean Medical scholar of modern times was studied. Based on his life events and publications, his medical philosophy was examined. Methods : Jo's life tracks were reconstructed based on his books, written contributions, documents on his activities that were collected from newspapers, magazines, papers, etc. In addition, the direction of his Korean Medical research and clinical application as argued by himself was examined. Results : After he himself understood the fundamental principles of Korean Medicine thoroughly, Jo, Heonyeong interpreted the principles of Korean Medicine by means of general scientific methodology along with simple, common knowledge based explanations. He compared Eastern Medicine with Western Medicine and pursued their integration, while making it his objective to have lay people understand medicine and to receive proper medical care and live healthy lives, based on the principles of a righteous government. The reason for his contributions to lay people targeted mediums and writing Korean Medical books that were easy to comprehend was also because of this philosophy. Conclusions : By making efforts to change and improve reality whether it be medicine or politics, Jo, Heongyeong went beyond treatment of diseases and pursued a world where all people could live healthy lives.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2019

In this paper, we develop a beamforming front end platform with pipeline circuit configuration method that can apply various clinical diagnostic applications of ultrasound image technology. Hardware design targets compression applications as well as scalable applications where power, integration levels and replication possibilities are important. Firmware design was implemented to achieve optimal FPGA parallel processing level by constructing new IP and system-oriented design environment to accelerate design productivity with maximum productivity improvement using Vivado HLS tool, which is a next generation high level synthesis tool. Former supports the high-speed management function of scan data that can create an image area arbitrarily and can be appropriately corrected and supplemented when reconfiguring or changing system specifications in the future.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.10-26
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• 2019

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an emerging new technology with considerable potential to treat various neurological diseases. With refinement of ultrasound transducer technology and integration with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, transcranial sonication of precise cerebral targets has become a therapeutic option. Intensity is a key determinant of ultrasound effects. High-intensity focused ultrasound can produce targeted lesions via thermal ablation of tissue. MRgFUS-mediated stereotactic ablation is non-invasive, incision-free, and confers immediate therapeutic effects. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approval of MRgFUS in 2016 for unilateral thalamotomy in medication-refractory essential tremor, studies on novel indications such as Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disease, and brain tumors are underway. MRgFUS is also used in the context of blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening at low intensities, in combination with intravenously-administered microbubbles. Preclinical studies show that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening safely enhances the delivery of targeted chemotherapeutic agents to the brain and improves tumor control as well as survival. In addition, BBB opening has been shown to activate the innate immune system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaque clearance and promotion of neurogenesis in these studies suggest that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening may be a new paradigm for neurodegenerative disease treatment in the future. Here, we review the current status of preclinical and clinical trials of MRgFUS-mediated thermal ablation and BBB opening, described their mechanisms of action, and discuss future prospects.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.974-988
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• 2018

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are collectively called pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), have emerged as a promising source for regenerative medicine. Particularly, human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) have shown robust potential for regenerating injured heart. Over the past two decades, protocols to differentiate hPSCs into CMs at high efficiency have been developed, opening the door for clinical application. Studies further demonstrated therapeutic effects of hPSC-CMs in small and large animal models and the underlying mechanisms of cardiac repair. However, gaps remain in explanations of the therapeutic effects of engrafted hPSC-CMs. In addition, bioengineering technologies improved survival and therapeutic effects of hPSC-CMs in vivo. While most of the original concerns associated with the use of hPSCs have been addressed, several issues remain to be resolved such as immaturity of transplanted cells, lack of electrical integration leading to arrhythmogenic risk, and tumorigenicity. Cell therapy with hPSC-CMs has shown great potential for biological therapy of injured heart; however, more studies are needed to ensure the therapeutic effects, underlying mechanisms, and safety, before this technology can be applied clinically.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.37.1-37.11
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• 2023

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory-autoimmune disease with a complex multi-organ pathogenesis, and it is known to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Various genetic, immunological, endocrine, and environmental factors contribute to SLE. Genomic variants have been identified as potential contributors to SLE susceptibility across multiple continents. However, the specific pathogenic variants that drive SLE remain largely undefined. In this study, we sought to identify these pathogenic variants across various continents using genomic and bioinformatic-based methodologies. We found that the variants rs35677470, rs34536443, rs17849502, and rs13306575 are likely damaging in SLE. Furthermore, these four variants appear to affect the gene expression of NCF2, TYK2, and DNASE1L3 in whole blood tissue. Our findings suggest that these genomic variants warrant further research for validation in functional studies and clinical trials involving SLE patients. We conclude that the integration of genomic and bioinformatic-based databases could enhance our understanding of disease susceptibility, including that of SLE.