• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and malignant findings of thyroid nodules in 1,954 patients (654 males and 1,300 females) aged 20 years or older who underwent thyroid ultrasound from January 2018 to December 2018. Examination of the thyroid gland was performed, and fine needle aspiration cytology was performed on the thyroid nodule. As a result, 108 (16.5%) out of 654 males and 368 (28.3%) out of 1,300 females showed higher prevalence than males. The prevalence of single nodules and multiple nodules in gender and age groups was significantly higher for women and for ages (male p=.001, female p=.001). There was a significant difference in males in the nodule size (p=.001) and no significant difference in females (p=.069). Fine - needle aspiration cytology of 476 patients with nodules was diagnosed as malignant in 46 patients (9.6%). Based on pathologic results, 383 benign and 93 malignant groups were analyzed. Ultrasonographic findings were as follows single nodule (p=.000), solid(p=.004), hypoechoic (p=.000), ill-defined peripheral boundary (p=.000), and calcification (p=.000), respectively. In the diagnosis of thyroid nodule, primary ultrasonographic findings through morphological classification of the nodules may reduce indiscriminate fine needle aspiration cytology in benign and malignant nodules.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.7
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• pp.355-363
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• 2021

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common renal disorder in children attributed to podocyte injury. However, children with the same diagnosis have markedly variable treatment responses, clinical courses, and outcomes, suggesting molecular heterogeneity. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the molecular responses of podocytes to nephrotic plasma to identify specific genes and signaling pathways differentiating various clinical NS groups as well as biological processes that drive injury in normal podocytes. Methods: Transcriptome profiles from immortalized human podocyte cell line exposed to the plasma of 8 subjects (steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome [SSNS], n=4; steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome [SRNS], n=2; and healthy adult individuals [control], n=2) were generated using microarray analysis. Results: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of global gene expression data was broadly correlated with the clinical classification of NS. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of diseased groups (SSNS or SRNS) versus healthy controls identified 105 genes (58 up-regulated, 47 down-regulated) in SSNS and 139 genes (78 up-regulated, 61 down-regulated) in SRNS with 55 common to SSNS and SRNS, while the rest were unique (50 in SSNS, 84 genes in SRNS). Pathway analysis of the significant (P≤0.05, -1≤ log2 FC ≥1) differentially expressed genes identified the transforming growth factor-β and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways to be involved in both SSNS and SRNS. DGE analysis of SSNS versus SRNS identified 2,350 genes with values of P≤0.05, and a heatmap of corresponding expression values of these genes in each subject showed clear differences in SSNS and SRNS. Conclusion: Our study observations indicate that, although podocyte injury follows similar pathways in different clinical subgroups, the pathways are modulated differently as evidenced by the heatmap. Such transcriptome profiling with a larger cohort can stratify patients into intrinsic subtypes and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of podocyte injury.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging features of giant cell tumors in the temporomandibular joint region to facilitate accurate diagnoses. Materials and Methods: From October 2007 to June 2020, 6 patients (2 men and 4 women) at Yonsei University Dental Hospital had histopathologically proven giant cell tumors in the temporomandibular joint. Their computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings were reviewed retrospectively, and the cases were classified into 3 types based on the tumor center and growth pattern observed on the radiologic findings. Results: The age of the 6 patients ranged from 25 to 53 years. Trismus was found in 5 of the 6 cases. One case recurred. The mean size of the tumors, defined based on their greatest diameter, was 32 mm (range, 15-41 mm). The characteristic features of all cases were a heterogeneously-enhancing tumorous mass with a lobulated margin on computed tomographic images and internal multiplicity of signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. According to the site of origin, 3 tumors were bone-centered, 2 were soft tissue-centered, and 1 was peri-articular. Conclusion: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging yielded a tripartite classification of giant cell tumors of the temporomandibular joint according to their location on imaging. This study could help clinicians in the differential diagnosis of giant cell tumors and assist in proper treatment planning for tumorous diseases of the temporomandibular joint.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to calculate the burden of stroke in Kurdistan Province, Iran between 2011 and 2017. Methods: Incidence data extracted from the hospital information system of Kurdistan Province and death data extracted from the system of registration and classification of causes of death were used in a cross-sectional study. The World Health Organization method was used to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Results: The burden of stroke increased from 2453.44 DALYs in 2011 to 5269.68 in 2017, the years of life lost increased from 2381.57 in 2011 to 5109.68 in 2017, and the years of healthy life lost due to disability increased from 71.87 in 2011 to 159.99 in 2017. The DALYs of ischaemic stroke exceeded those of haemorrhagic stroke. The burden of disease, new cases, and deaths doubled during the study period. The age-standardised incidence rate of ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke in 2017 was 21.72 and 20.72 per 100 000 population, respectively. Conclusions: The burden of stroke is increasing in Kurdistan Province. Since health services in Iran are based on treatment, steps are needed to revise the current treatment services for stroke and to improve the quality of services. Policy-makers and managers of the health system need to plan to reduce the known risk factors for stroke in the community. In addition to preventive interventions, efficient and up-to-date interventions are recommended for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients in hospitals. Along with therapeutic interventions, preventive interventions can help reduce the stroke burden.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2022

Purpose: Studies in adults have shown an increasing incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients hospitalized with acute pancreatitis (AP). There is lack of epidemiological data on CDI and its impact on hospitalized pediatric patients with AP. Methods: We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample and Kids' Inpatient Database between the years 2003 and 2016 and included all patients (age <21 years) with a primary diagnosis of AP using specific International Classification of Diseases codes. We compared clinical outcomes between children with CDI and those without CDI. Our primary outcome was severe AP and secondary outcomes included length of stay and hospital charges. Results: A total of 123,240 hospitalizations related to AP were analyzed and CDI was noted in 0.6% of the hospital. The prevalence rate of CDI doubled from 0.4% (2003) to 0.8% (2016), p=0.03. AP patients with CDI had increased comorbidities, and also underwent more invasive surgical procedures, p<0.05. AP patients with CDI had a higher in-hospital mortality rate and increased prevalence of severe AP, p<0.001. Multivariate regression models showed that CDI was associated with 2.4 times (confidence interval [CI]: 1.91 to 3.01, p<0.001) increased odds of severe AP. CDI patients had 7.24 (CI: 6.81 to 7.67, p<0.001) additional hospital days while incurring $59,032 (CI: 54,050 to 64,014, p<0.001) additional hospitalization charges. Conclusion: CDI in pediatric patients with AP is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and increased healthcare resource utilization. Further studies are needed to elucidate this association to prevent the development of CDI and to improve outcomes.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.217-225
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• 2022

The population of pet cats has increased significantly, from 0.3% in 2002 to 5.6% in 2017. Large-scale feline demographic and disease data from Korea are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic data (breed, sex, and age) and disease distribution of cats who visited private veterinary practices in Korea. Data including breed, sex, age, and disease, were compiled from 32,728 electronic medical records from 30 selected private veterinary practices, between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017. Diseases were classified based on the International Classification of Diseases 11 by the World Health Organization, and then compared and cross-analyzed according to breed, sex, and age. Korean shorthair was the most common breed. There was a high distribution of young cats, with 77.6% of the cats under 4 years of age, and an average age of 2.5 years. Diagnoses related to preventative medicine were the most frequent and diagnoses common to young cats had higher incidence. This demographic data and information about disease distribution can be used as a basis for future research and may be helpful for determining priorities in the diagnosis of diseases and establishing strategies for health management in cats.

• Smart Media Journal
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.45-54
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• 2021

The skin is the body's first line of defense against external infection. When a skin disease strikes, the skin's protective role is compromised, necessitating quick diagnosis and treatment. Recently, as artificial intelligence has advanced, research for technical applications has been done in a variety of sectors, including dermatology, to reduce the rate of misdiagnosis and obtain quick treatment using artificial intelligence. Although previous studies have diagnosed skin diseases with low incidence, this paper proposes a method to classify common illnesses such as warts and corns using a convolutional neural network. The data set used consists of 3 classes and 2,515 images, but there is a problem of lack of training data and class imbalance. We analyzed the performance using a deep metric loss function and a cross-entropy loss function to train the model. When comparing that in terms of accuracy, recall, F1 score, and accuracy, the former performed better.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was examined to improve the standing posture of a scoliosis client using the ICF Tool. Methods: For examination, the study subject was a 16-year-old female student diagnosed with 3curve-pelvic (3CP) type scoliosis. Information about her were collected through a client interview and based on international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF core set was for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions, and the ICF level 2 items suggested by National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) were added to the recommendations for scoliosis. For evaluation, the ICF assessment sheet was used to identify the interaction among the problems. For the diagnosis, the client's functional problems were described in ICF terms. For the prognosis, the global goals for reaching the client's functional activity and participation level were presented as the long-and short-term goals. For the intervention, a coordinative locomotor training program composed of warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down was applied 3 times a week, 50 minutes a day, for 5 weeks. For the outcome, the differences between before and after the intervention were compared with the ICF qualifier and are shown with the ICF evaluation display. Results: Clinical advantages were observed in body function and structure (7° decrease of thoracic angle, 7 score increase of trunk muscle power, 6.47s improve of one leg standing, 4 score decrease of neck pain). The activity for maintaining the standing posture, in which the client had a primary limitation, was improved. Conclusion: Applying the coordinative locomotor training program is expected to improve scoliosis client's standing posture.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.161-166
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• 2021

Errors in the semiconductor process are generated by a change in the state of the equipment, and errors usually arise when the state of the equipment changes or when parts that make up the equipment have flaws. In this investigation, we anticipated that aging of the mass flow controller in the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition SiO2 thin film deposition method caused a minute flow rate shift. In seven cases, fourier transformation infrared film quality analysis of the deposited thin film was used to characterize normal and pathological processes. The plasma condition was monitored using optical emission spectrometry data as the flow rate changed during the procedure. Preprocessing was used to apply the collected OES data to the artificial immune system algorithm, which was then used to process diagnosis. Through comparisons between datasets, the learning algorithm compared classification accuracy and improved the method. It has been confirmed that data characterized as a normal process and abnormal processes with differing flow rates may be discriminated by themselves using the artificial immune system data mining method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1088-1097
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• 2021

Vibration data of mechanical equipment inevitably have noise. This noise adversely af ects the maintenance of mechanical equipment. Accordingly, the performance of a learning model depends on how effectively the noise of the data is removed. In this study, the noise of the data was removed using the Denoising Auto Encoder (DAE) technique which does not include the characteristic extraction process in preprocessing time series data. In addition, the performance was compared with that of the Wavelet Transform, which is widely used for machine signal processing. The performance comparison was conducted by calculating the failure detection rate. For a more accurate comparison, a classification performance evaluation criterion, the F-1 Score, was calculated. Failure data were detected using the One-Class SVM technique. The performance comparison, revealed that the DAE technique performed better than the Wavelet Transform technique in terms of failure diagnosis and error rate.