• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1999

Transcranial doppler ultrasonography (TCD) is a new, non-invasive and easily applicable method to evaluate cerebral hemodynamics. Last 10 years, its use in Korea has been dramatically expanded, but the qualification of TCD laboratory has yet to be settled. Since duplex sonography is seldom used in Korea, we have to depend totally on TCD to evaluate cerebral hemodynamic changes. Thus, all of the available data from every detectabler cerebral arteries has to be obtained for accurate interpretation of TCD measurements. Moreover, flow direction and wave form should be concerned in addition to the flow velocity. In this article, I present technique to measure the anterior, meddle and posterior cerebral arteries, the internal carotid artery siphon and at cervical level, and the vertebral and the basilar artery, and normal values for these measurements which is essential for the adequate interpretation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.323-331
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• 2013

TGF-${\beta}$ pathway is being extensively evaluated as a potential therapeutic target. The transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) signaling pathway has the dual role in both tumor suppression and tumor promotion. To design cancer therapeutics successfully, it is important to understand TGF-${\beta}$ related functional contexts. This review discusses the molecular mechanism of the TGF-${\beta}$ pathway and describes the different ways of tumor suppression and promotion by TGF-${\beta}$. In the last part of the review, the data on targeting TGF-${\beta}$ pathway for cancer treatment is assessed. The TGF-${\beta}$ inhibitors in pre-clinical studies, and Phase I and II clinical trials are updated.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.163-166
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• 2011

Oral viridans streptococci are recognized as one of the etiological agents of a variety of infectious diseases such as dental caries and infective endocarditis. Although antimicrobial susceptibility tests for these fastidious bacterial species are now established and standardized, a comparison between the broth microdilution and broth macrodilution tests has not previously been performed. This comparison was performed in the present study using the tests adopted by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and seven clinical isolates of oral viridans streptococcal strains. A modified broth macrodilution susceptibility test method was also included in this analysis, in which the media was not supplemented with horse blood. The susceptibility interpretation category agreements were measured at 83% (broth microdilution versus broth macrodilution) and 71% (broth microdilution versus modified broth macrodilution). The interpretation category agreement between the broth macrodilution and modified broth macrodilution tests was also 83%. These data indicate that the interpretation of antibiotic susceptibility test results for oral viridans streptococci are influenced by the methods used.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2022

Background: An adequate large-scale pediatric cohort based on nationwide administrative data is lacking in Korea. Purpose: This study aimed to differentiate patients with VVS by autonomic dysfunction severity using the composite autonomic severity score (CASS) and compare the clinical manifestations and prognosis between patient subgroups. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 66 VVS patients divided into 3 groups by CASS. To compare the differences between these groups, we analyzed VVS type, triggers, prodromal symptoms, management of syncope, and prognosis between patients with mild versus moderate autonomic dysfunction. Results: Of our 66 patients with VVS, 41 had mild autonomic dysfunction (62.1%) and 25 had moderate autonomic dysfunction (37.9%). We found no significant intergroup differences in age, sex, inducible factor (P=0.172), prodromal symptoms, laboratory findings, head-up tilt test, type of syncope, or prognosis (P=0.154). Conclusion: We found no evidence that autonomic dysfunction degree is affected by VVS characteristics, test findings, parameters, or prognosis; therefore, no further evaluations are needed to classify autonomic dysfunction severity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.343-347
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• 2016

Keratinophilic fungus (KPF), a type of dermatophytes, is usually present as normal flora on the skin of humans and animals but can produce ring worm-like dermatophytosis by invading the skin in infected individuals. They are distributed worldwide, but their occurrences vary distinctively in accordance with the geographical location and environmental change. Because these fungi grow by degrading keratin, they are abundantly found on the skin, hair, and nails, which are rich in keratin. To investigate the presence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil, we selected a popular beach in South Korea, Haeundae Beach, where numerous people gather each year during the summer holidays. Hundred soil samples were analyzed using the hair-baiting technique, among which, a total of 23 colonies of KPF were identified from 21 soil samples. The identified KPF were Microsporum gypseum (43%), Chrysosporium spp. (35%), Trichophyton ajelloi (13%), and Microsporum cookie (9%). This study confirmed that pathogenic fungi can be found in places crowded by many people. Further research and continuous data collection are needed to confirm the distribution of pathogenic KPF.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.188-193
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• 2020

Stroke is a major cause of death and disorder, and diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant risk factor of stroke. This study examined the importance of target blood pressure (<140/<90 mmHg) management in patients with DM. Based on the data of the 6th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 16,389 patients aged 18 to under 80 were assessed through regression analysis to estimate the risk of stroke through blood pressure control. The prevalence of stroke according to the presence or absence of DM was higher in the diabetic group, and a longer duration of DM indicated a higher risk of hypertension and stroke. The hazard ratio of stroke was lower in the maintenance group (0.57) of target blood pressure (<140/<90 mmHg) compared to the high blood pressure group(>140/>90 mmHg). Despite the accompanying treatment for DM and hypertension, the frequency of hypertension increased, and the prevalence of stroke increased after five years of DM. Hence, effective blood pressure management at this time is important. The risk of stroke should be reduced by continuously managing blood pressure in DM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5233-5237
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• 2014

Epigenetic modifications of tumour suppressor genes are involved in all kinds of human cancer. Aberrant promoter methylation is also considered to play an essential role in development of lung cancer, but the pathogenesis remains unclear.We collected the data of 112 subjects, including 56 diagnosed patients with lung cancer and 56 controls without cancer. Methylation of the FHIT, RASSF1A and RAR-${\beta}$ genes in DNA from all samples and the corresponding gene methylation status were assessed using the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR, MSP). The results showed that the total frequency of separate gene methylation was significantly higher in lung cancer compared with controls (33.9-85.7 vs 0 %) (p<0.01).Similar outcomes were obtained from the aberrant methylation of combinations of any two or three genes (p<0.01). There was a tendency that the frequency of combinations of any two or three genes was higher in stage I+II than that in stage III+IV with lung cancer. However, no significant difference was found across various clinical stages and clinic pathological gradings of lung cancer (p>0.05).These observations suggest that there is a significant association of promoter methylation of individual genes with lung cancer risk, and that aberrant methylation of combination of any two or three genes may be associated with clinical stage in lung cancer patients and involved in the initiation of lung cancer tumorigenesis. Methylation of FHIT, RASSF1A and $RAR{\beta}$ genes may be related to progression of lung oncogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.492-500
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• 2018

This study examined the effects of a dual-task virtual reality program on the cognitive function and EEG for patients with mild cognitive impairment. A dual-task virtual reality program was performed in the experimental groups while conventional occupational therapy was carried out in the control group for 30 minutes per session, which was done five days per week for 6 weeks. The results were as follows. First, the memory of the cognitive function and balance was improved significantly in the experimental group with the dual-task virtual reality program compared to the control group with the traditional occupational therapy. Second, EEG was also increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of this study suggest that the dual-task virtual reality program was an effective treatment method for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment and would be a cornerstone of basic data that will be helpful to those suffering from a range of diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2023

Erythritol is a sweetener produced by yeast from glucose and a natural sugar found in fermented foods such as mushrooms, wine, fruits, rice wine, and soy sauce. Correct information and basic data when producing or using products for preventing dental caries by checking the gene expression patterns of glucosyl transferase (GTF) and fructosyl transferase (FTF) of Streptococcus mutans in erythritol and other sweeteners it was implemented to provide. Erythritol inhibited the growth of Streptococcus mutans, which is involved in dental caries. When used as a sweetener to replace sucrose, erythritol had an excellent caries-preventative effect. In particular, erythritol reduced the expressions of gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, and FTF, which are related to the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides, and thereby reduced the formation of dental plaque and the attachment rate of bacteria to tooth surfaces. The study shows erythritol has potential use as an anticariogenic sweetener that inhibits the mechanism underlying caries caused by Streptococci.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2024

This study analyzed data from the Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey (KNHDIS) (2004~2021) and found that for the young-old with disabilities, the location of injury was roads and main roads, the activity at the time of injury was daily life, the mechanism of injury was falling and the type of transportation accident was collision with passenger cars. In the old-old, the characteristics by type of injury were fractures, the intentionality of the injury was unintentional, the place of injury was residence, the activity at the time of injury was daily life, the mechanism of injury was falling and the type of transportation accident was pedestrian. In conclusion, the old-old were more likely to suffer injuries at home and in daily life than the young-old with disabilities, and old-old injured patients were more active than the old-old, resulting in higher falls and transportation accidents and older seniors were more likely to have pedestrian accidents. Based on the information collected from the young-old and old-old, it is believed that efforts to prevent damage that consider the characteristics of the elderly are necessary.