• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2781-2785
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• 2016

Background: Matric metalloproteinase (MMP) 13 gene expression is increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and associated with increasing tumor invasion, lymph node involvement and decreased survival rates. Levels of the circulating enzyme may be elevated and used as a marker of tumor progression. In this study, clinical application of MMP-13 serum levels was evaluated for early detection, prediction of prognosis and survival time of ESCC patients. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of MMP13 were determined by ELISA in 66 ESCC patients prior of any treatment and 54 healthy controls for comparison with clinicopathological data through statistical analysis with Man Whitney U and Log-Rank tests. In addition, clinical value of MMP13 levels for diagnosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test. Results: The serum level of MMP-13 in patients (>250 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in the control group (<100 pg/ml) (p value=0.004). Also the results showed a significant correlation between MMP-13 serum levels with tumor stage (p value = 0.003), depth of tumor invasion (p value=0.008), involvement of lymph nodes (p value = 0.011), tumor size (p value = 0.018) and survival time. While there were no significant correlation with grade and location of tumors. ROC analysis showed that MMP-13 level is an accurate diagnostic marker especially to differentiate pre-invasive/ invasive lesions from normal controls (sensitivity and specificity: 100%). Conclusions: These findings indicate a potential clinical significance of serum MMP13 measurement for early detection and prognostic assessment in ESCC patients.

• Annals of Clinical Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.69-74
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• 2018

Laboratory medicine is a specialized division that supports physicians in the care of patients by providing rapid and accurate in vitro diagnostic tests. Standardization of every component of a specific test is essential for producing accurate results. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) was founded to develop a formal consensus process for standardization in 1968, and has been publishing standards and guidelines covering all aspects of clinical, research, and other laboratory work. CLSI guidelines are widely used around the world for standardization. The CLSI antimicrobial susceptibility testing subcommittee (AST SC) consists of 6 standing and many ad hoc working groups. Members of the AST SC review submitted proposals and suggestions, decide on approving these submissions in face-to-face meetings held twice a year, and revise CLSI documents accordingly. As these face-to-face meetings are open to anyone who registers to attend, I strongly encourage the members of our Society to attend and actively participate in document development.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.252-257
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of external scapular stabilization on the isometric strength of shoulder flexor muscle in subjects with and without scapular winging and conditions with and without external scapular stabilization. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with and without scapular winging were enrolled. Two groups were classified using clinical and diagnostic tests to divide the groups with and without scapular winging (15 with scapular winging 15 without scapular winging). The isometric strength of the shoulder flexor was measured using a tensiometer. The isometric strength was evaluated in the sitting position with and without an external scapular stabilization. The external scapular stabilization was provided with the examiner's hand to fix scapular winging during shoulder flexion. The changing value was calculated to determine the isometric strength difference between shoulder flexion with and without the external scapular stabilization in each group. The changing value between isometric strength of shoulder flexor with and without scapular winging was compared using the independent t-test. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: In the group with scapular winging, the shoulder flexor isometric strength in the sitting position was greater with an external scapular stabilization than without an external scapular stabilization (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the shoulder flexor isometric strength in the subjects without scapular winging between conditions with or without an external scapular stabilization (p>0.05). Conclusion: The external scapular stabilization in the individuals with scapular winging may increase shoulder flexor isometric strength in the sitting position.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.89-96
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• 2021

This study is aimed to establish the direction of orthodontic treatment by analyzing the differences in the dental arch development due to the cause of short stature. Dental diagnostic tests were conducted on patients who were diagnosed with short stature. Idiopathic short statured children were classified through the paired sampling based on the age and gender of a short statured children with growth hormone shortage. Control groups were classified using same method as above, after selecting candidates with an arch length of less than 3mm and malocclusion. In conclusion, short statured children with growth hormone shortage or idiopathic had the higher rate of crowding and the small value of overbite compared to normal children. Therefore orthodontic treatment for short statured children needs treatment plan included evaluation for Arch length discrepancy to treat a crowding early. This study will provide important data for successful orthodontic treatment according to the characteristics of dental occlusion of short statured children.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.155-166
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• 2021

Objectives: To analyze correlation between CSEI-S and MMPI-2 subscales to provide evidence for clinical application of the CSEI-S. Methods: Survey data of CSEI-S and MMPI-2 from 109 university students were analyzed. Demographic characteristics were subjected to descriptive analysis. Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed for CSEI-S and MMPI-2 scores. Results: The CSEI-S scale Joy (喜) showed a negative correlation with MMPI-2 clinical scales Hs, D, Hy, Pd, Pa, Pt, Sc, and Si. Six negative emotion scales of the CSEI-S showed positive correlations with MMPI-2 clinical scales except Mf and Ma. The CSEI-S scale Joy (喜) showed negative correlations with MMPI-2 restructured clinical scales RCd, RC1, RC2, and RC7. Six negative emotion scales of the CSEI-S showed positive correlations with restructured MMPI-2 clinical scales. The 60T-and-over group of MMPI-2 clinical scales D, Pd, Pa, Pt, Sc, Si, and Si showed significantly higher negative emotions than other groups. The 60T-and-over group of MMPI-2 scales D, Pt, Sc, and Si showed significantly lower Joy (喜) score than other groups. The 60T-and-over group of MMPI-2 restructured clinical scales RCd, RC2, RC3, RC6, RC7, RC8, and RC9 showed significantly higher negative emotions than other groups. The 60T-and-over group of MMPI-2 scales RCd, RC6, and RC7 showed significantly lower Joy (喜) scores than others. Conclusions: The CSEI-S showed consistent results with the original CSEI and MMPI-2 subscales. Thus, is a useful diagnostic tool in clinical practice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.529-539
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• 2021

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, is a serious insect pest infesting various vegetable crops. Two infectious insect viruses, baculovirus and iflavirus, are known to induce epizootics in S. exigua populations. Indeed, some laboratory colonies have appeared to be covertly infected by these viruses. Diagnostic PCR tests detected two different viruses: Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrosis virus (SeMNPV) and iflaviruses (SeIfV1 and SeIfV2). Viral extract from dead larvae of S. exigua could infect Sf9 cells and produce occlusion bodies (OBs). Feeding OBs to asymptomatic larvae of S. exigua caused significant viral disease. Interestingly, both SeIfV1 and SeIfV2 increased their titers at late larval stages. Sterilization of laid eggs with 1% sodium hypochloride significantly reduced SeMNPV titers and increased larval survival rate. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific to SeIfV1 or SeIfV2 significantly reduced viral titers and increased larval survival rate. To continuously feed dsRNA, a recombinant Escherichia coli HT115 expressing SeIfV1-dsRNA was constructed with an L4440 expression vector. Adding this recombinant E. coli to the artificial diet significantly reduced the SeIfV1 titer and increased larval survival. These results indicate that laboratory colony collapse of S. exigua is induced by multiple viral infections. In addition, either suppression of SeMNPV or SeIfV infection significantly increased larval survival, suggesting a cooperative pathogenicity between baculovirus and iflavirus against S. exigua.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the clinical usefulness of transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS) in detecting peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in children. Methods: Twenty-four patients (19 boys, 5 girls; mean age, $10.6{\pm}4.5years$ [range, 3.0-17.9 years]) who were admitted to the hospital for acute abdomen or gastrointestinal bleeding and diagnosed with PUD by endoscopy and who underwent TUS were included. Clinical data were retrospectively collected by reviewing patient medical records. Gastric ulcer (GU) was suspected when the gastric wall exceeded 8 mm in thickness and had lost its five-layer structure on TUS. Duodenal ulcer (DU) was suspected if the duodenal wall thickness exceeded 5 mm. Results: Sensitivity of TUS in diagnosing PUD was 66.7% for GU and 38.9% for DU. Mean age and body weight of the 11 patients suspected with PUD on TUS were $10.9{\pm}4.4years$ and $38.1{\pm}17.2kg$, respectively. For 13 patients without suspected PUD, they were $12.1{\pm}4.1years$ and $39.6{\pm}17.0kg$, respectively. There was a significant difference in height, weight, and body mass index between patients who were suspected to have PUD and those who were not suspected on TUS (p=0.014, 0.008, and 0.005, respectively). A significant difference in the sensitivity of TUS in diagnosing PUD was found between patients under 30 kg and those over 30 kg (88.9% and 20.0%, respectively; p=0.003). Conclusion: TUS investigation of the stomach and duodenum is an efficient method for PUD detection in children with low body weight. TUS can be used in preliminary diagnostic work-up before further invasive tests.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of maxillary antroliths using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans performed for maxillofacial diagnostic purposes. Materials and Methods: CBCT scans of 13,946 patients over the age of 20 were reviewed for maxillary antroliths, and prevalence according to sex, age, and the side of the jaw was calculated. The relationships of single or multiple antroliths with sex, side, and the degree of sinus inflammation were evaluated. The shape and dimension of antroliths were also assessed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square or Fisher exact tests, and Kendall's tau-b. Results: A total of 138 (0.99%) of the 13,946 patients showed an antrolith in at least 1 sinus. Only 18 patients presented a bilateral manifestation, which brought the total number of sinuses containing an antrolith to 156 (0.56%). Multiple antroliths were observed in 36 sinuses, and the total number of antroliths was 207: 110 punctate, 65 linear, and 32 amorphous. The antrolith dimensions varied from $1mm^2$ to $91mm^2$ (average, $10.2{\pm}15.5mm^2$). No statistically significant differences were found according to sex, side, and age group (P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the multiplicity of antrolith and the degree of sinus inflammation (P<0.05). Conclusion: Cone-beam computed tomography is an effective modality for the detection of incidental antroliths. Maxillary antroliths were found to be very rare and were usually asymptomatic. Dentists should have a comprehensive understanding of their diagnosis and treatment in light of possible associated dental problems.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.553-560
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• 2018

PET-CT and PET-MRI which integrates CT using ionized radiation and MRI using phenomena of magnetic resonance are determined to have the limitation to apply the semi-quantitative index, standardized uptake value (SUV), with the same level due to the fundamental differences of image capturing principle and reorganization, hence, their correlations were analyzed to provide their clinical information. To 30 study subjects maintaining pre-treatment, $^{18}F-FDG$ (5.18 MBq/㎏) was injected and they were scanned continuously without delaying time using $Biograph^{TM}$ mMR 3T (Siemens, Munich) and Biograph mCT 64 (Siemens, Germany), which is an integral type, under the optimized condition except the structural differences of both scanners. Upon the measurement results of $SUV_{max}$ setting volume region of interest with evenly distributed radioactive pharmaceuticals by captured images, $SUV_{max}$ mean values of PET-CT and PET-MRI were $2.94{\pm}0.55$ and $2.45{\pm}0.52$, respectively, and the value of PET-MRI was measured lower by $-20.85{\pm}7.26%$ than that of PET-CT. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in SUVs between two scanners (P<0.001), hence, SUV of PET-CT and PET-MRI cannot express the clinical meanings in the same level. Therefore, in case of the patients who undergo cross follow-up tests with PET-CT and PET-MRI, diagnostic information should be analyzed considering the conditions of SUV differences in both scanners.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.185-191
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to present effective basic data for business management through analysis of importance and performance of personal information protection of the elderly welfare center workers. For this purpose, the questionnaire on the protection of personal information was reconstructed based on the diagnostic level of the personal information security management level of the public institution and the questionnaire was conducted on 105 employees of the elderly welfare center in Chungbuk area. Based on the responses to the importance and the degree of performance of the personal information protection of the elderly welfare center employees, technical statistics and corresponding sample T-tests were conducted and the importance-performance analysis (IPA) was used. Followings are the results of this study: First, there is a statistically significant difference between the importance and the implementation of the management system for the protection of personal information of the workers in the elderly welfare center, establishment and implementation of protection measures, establishment and implementation of infringement measures. Second, IPA analysis on the protection of personal information of the workers in the elderly welfare center shows that the establishment and implementation of protection measures are the areas to maintain good performance. Third, in IPA analysis of the sub-factors of the personal information protection of the workers in the welfare center of the elderly, in the construction and management of the management system, in performing the role of the personal information protection officer and establishing and implementing protection measures, The factors of prevention of information disclosure and exposure and the safe use and management of personal information processing system were analyzed as areas requiring intensive improvement. This study is meaningful as a basic research that can raise the awareness of the personal information protection of the workers in the elderly welfare center and induce the improvement of the related work.