• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.851-859
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• 2008

To promote the adoption of healthier eating patterns, this study was aimed to develop and evaluate alternative front of pack nutrition signposting concepts. Based on previous research, we developed two signposting concepts, Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) and Multiple Traffic Light with % Daily Value (MTL-%DV). The signposts featured three key nutrients, total sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Actual food packaging with no front of pack signposting (NoSP) was included in the evaluation to act as a benchmark against which to compare the performance of the different signposting options. Using an interviewer administered method, we assessed the degree of understanding and time to interpret on a total of 534 subjects (194 elementary, 108 middle, and 103 high schoolers, 128 adults). In the individual product evaluations, MTL (87.0%) obtained the highest level of correct responses, followed by MTL-%DV (83.1%) and NoSP (52.2%). Except for signposting concepts, age, gender and living area were not associated with the degree of correct responses in multivariate analyses. When used to compare products with different colors of nutrient contents, correct responses were more than 90% for MTL-%DV (91.5%) and MTL (90.3%). The middle and high schoolers revealed the lower likelihood of correct response compared to the other two groups. In case of comparing products with same colors of nutrient contents, the proportion of correct responses was the highest in NoSP (90%), followed by MTL%DV (77.4%) and MTL (48.5%). In terms of time to interpret, MTL-%DV and MTL performed better than NoSP in the individual product evaluation and the comparison of two products with different colors of nutrient contents. NoSP performed the best in the comparison of two products with same colors of nutrient contents. A majority of the participants preferred MTL-%DV (78%) most and thought it the most useful in helping them make healthier food choices. Based on these findings, MTL-%DV was considered to most closely meet the objectives of the initiatives.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2017

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-hodgkin lymphoma. Advances in the chemotherapeutic treatment of this disease have improved the outcomes of DLBCL; nonetheless, many patients still die of DLBCL, and therefore, a better understanding of this disease and identification of novel therapeutic targets are urgently required. In a recent gene expression profiling study, PDE (phosphodiesterase) 4B was found to be overexpressed in chemotherapy-resistant tumors. The major function of PDE4B is to inactivate the second messenger cyclic 3',5' monophosphate (cAMP) by catalyzing the hydrolysis of cAMP to 5'AMP. It is known that cAMP induces cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis in B cells, and PDE4B abolishes cAMP's effect on B cells. However, the mechanism by which PDE4B is overexpressed remains unclear. Here, we show that the aberrant expression of miRNA may be associated with the overexpression of this gene. The PDE4B 3' untranslated region (UTR) has three functional binding sites of miR-23b, as confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Interestingly, miR-23b-binding sites were evolutionarily conserved from humans to lizards, implying the critical role of PDE4B-miR-23b interaction in cellular physiology. The ectopic expression of miR-2 3b repressed PDE4B mRNA levels and enhanced intracellular cAMP concentrations. Additionally, miR-23b expression inhibited cell proliferation and survival of DLBCL cells only in the presence of forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, suggesting that miR-23b's effect is via the downregulation of PDE4B. These results together suggest that miR-23b could be a therapeutic target for overcoming drug resistance by repressing PDE4B in DLBCL.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the association between the severity of sleep apnea, sleep and mood related scales, and activity during sleep in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. Methods: 176 drug-free male patients confirmed as OSAS (average age=$43{\pm}11$ years) were selected through nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG). OSAS was diagnosed with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >5, mean AHI was $39.6{\pm}26.0$. Sleep related scales were Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Morningness-Eveningness Scale (MES). Mood related scales were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) I, II and Profile of Mood States (POMS). NPSG was performed overnight with both wrist actigraphy (WATG). Parameters produced from WATG were total activity score, mean activity score and fragmentation index. We analyzed the correlation between each scale, AHI scored from NPSG and activity score analyzed from WATG. Results: ESS showed significant positive correlation with PSQI, BDI, BAI and STAI I, II, respectively (p<0.01). SSS showed significant positive correlation with PSQI and BAI (p<0.05, p<0.01). BAI showed significant positive correlation with total activity score, mean activity score and fragmentation index (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05).Total activity score showed significant positive correlation with ESS and BAI, respectively (p<0.05). Fragmentation index showed significant positive correlation with ESS, PSQI and BAI (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05). AHI, indicator of sleep apnea is showed no significant correlation with each sleep and mood related scale. Conclusion: The degree of daytime sleepiness tends to be associated with night sleep satisfaction, depression and anxiety, and the activity during sleep rather than the severity of sleep apnea.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2004

Purpose : To examine whether a synthetic bile acid derivatives (HS-1200) sensitizes the radiation-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods : Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in exponential growth phase were treated with HS-1200 for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ with 5$\%$ CO$_{2}$ in air atmosphere. After removal of HS-1200, cells were irradiated with 2$\~$8 Gy X-ray, and then cultured Ii drug-free media for 24-96 hours. The effect of radiation on the clonogenicity of MCF-7 cells was determined with clonogenic cell survival assay with 16$\mu$M of HS-1200. The induction of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. The expression level of apoptosis-related molecules, such as PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, Bak and AIF, were assayed by Western blotting analysis with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation. To examine the cellular location of cytochrome c, bax and AIF immunofluorescent stainings were undertaken. Results : Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation showed several changes associated with enhanced apoptosis by agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation treatment also enhanced production of PARP cleavage products and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by Western blotting. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential ($\Delta$$\psi$$_{m}$) and increased cytochrome c staining indicated that cytochrome c had been released from the mitochondria in HS-1200 treated cells. Conclusion : We demonstrated that combination treatment with a synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid derivative HS-1200 and irradiation enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). We suggest that the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio In HS-1200 co-treatment group underlies the increased radio sensitivity of MCF-7 cells. Further futures studies are remained elusive.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2007

Objectives:A considerable number of pharmacogenetic studies have been performed in recent years to define the association of antipsychotic drug response with dopamine receptor polymorphisms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the therapeutic response to antipsychotic drugs and the polymorphisms of the dopamine D2, D3, and D4 receptor genes(DRD2, DRD3 and DRD4, respectively). Methods:We conducted retrospective chart review of 200 consecutively hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia(DSM-IV) who were treated with various antipsychotics(94% atypical antipsychotics) at Bugok National Hospital, Korea. The patients were divided into two groups, responders and non-responders, by responsiveness to antipsychotic drugs according to a four-point scale used in previous studies; responders included moderate to marked responded patients and non-responders included none to minimal responded patients. We analyzed the Ser311Cys polymorphism in the DRD2, the Ser9Gly polymorphism in the DRD3, and the exon III 48 bp repeat polymorphism in the DRD4. Results:Among the total patients of 200, 141(70.5%) were categorized as responders. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of the DRD2, DRD3, and DRD4 alleles and genotypes between responders and non-responders. Conclusion:These results suggest that the Ser311Cys polymorphism in the DRD2, the Ser9Gly polym- orphism in the DRD3, and the exon III 48bp repeat polymorphism in the DRD4 are not associated with the therapeutic response to antipsychotic drugs in Korean schizophrenic patients. A larger prospective study is needed to elucidate the association between antipsychotic response and dopamine receptor gene polymorphism.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.440-446
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• 2006

Background: Post-transplant tuberculosis (TB) is a serious complication in solid organ transplant recipients worldwide, However there is little or no data on TB in liver or heart transplant recipients in Korea. Methods: The incidence and clinical characteristics of TB of 730 patients who had undergone a liver transplant in a university hospital in Korea between 1992 and 2004, and 110 heart transplant recipients in the same period, were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The incidence of TB was 1.5%(11/730) and 2.7%(3/110) in the liver and heart transplantation, respectively. The median time from the transplant to the development of TB was 8.4 months(1.0-30.8). and the mean time from the symptoms to the diagnosis of TB was $2.1{\pm}3.6$ months(0.3-13.2). Nine patients (65%) had pulmonary TB and five (35%) had extrapulmonary TB. The leukopenia and positive HbeAg at the baseline, post-transplant diabetes mellitus, and chronic rejection were associated with the development of TB in the liver transplant recipients. Ten patients were treated with a 4-drug standard regimen for a mean duration of $7.8{\pm}3.5$ months. One patients died of TB. Conclusion: The incidence of TB in liver or heart transplant recipients was similar to that reported in other countries with a similar TB-burden.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.235-244
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• 2003

Purpose: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been known as psychiatric disorder in childhood associated with dopamine dysregulation. In present study, we investigated changes in dopamine transporter (DAT) density of the basal ganglias using I-123 N-(3-iodopropen-2-yl) -2-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-chlorophenyl) tropane [I-123 IPT] SPECT in children with ADHD before and after methylphenidate treatment. Materials and Method: Nine drug-naive children with ADHD and seven normal children were included in the study. We peformed brain SPECT two hours after the intravenous administration of I-123 IPT and made both quantitative and qualitative analyses using the obtained SPECT data, which were reconstructed for the assessment of soecific/nonspecific DAT binding ratios in the basal ganglia. All children with ADHD reperformed [123I]IPT SPECT after treatment with methylphenidate(0.7mg/kg/d) during about 8 weeks. SPECT data reconstructed for the assessment of specific/nonspecific DAT binding ratio of the basal ganglia were compared between before and after treatment methylphenidate. We investigated correlation between the change of ADHD symptom severity assessed with ADHD rating scale-IV and specific/nonspecific DAT binding ratio of basal ganglia. Results: Children with ADHD had a significantly greater specificinonspecific DAT binding ratio of the basal ganglia comparing to normal children(Right : z = 2.057, p = 0.041 : Left : z : 2.096, p = 0.032). Under treatment with methylphenidate in all children with ADHD, specificinonspecific DAT binding ratio of both basal ganglia decreased significantly greater than before treatment with methylphenidate (Right : t = 3.239, p = 0.018 ; Left : t = 3.133, p = 0.020). However, no significant correlation between the change of ADHD symptom severity scores and specific/nonspecific DAT binding ratio of the basal ganglia were found. Conclusions: These findings support the complex dysregulation of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system in children with ADHD.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.456-465
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• 1998

Cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) in children is associated with the accumulation of body water after cardiac operation, as a consequence of an inflammatory capillary leak. Following work by Elliott in 1991, modified ultrafiltration(MUF) was introduced after bypass as a means of hemoconcentrating patients and a potential way of removing water from the tissues. We have carried out a prospective randomized study of 20 children undergoing open heart surgery, comparing MUF with nonfiltered controls. MUF was carried out for a mean of 18.9 minutes after completion of CPB to a hematocrit of 37.1%(mean). The mean water volulme removed by the ultrafiltration was 38.4 ml/kg and the mean blood volume retransfused from the oxygenator during the ultrafiltration was 32.1 ml/kg. Fluid balance, hemodynamics, hematocrit, osmolarity and dosage of drug treatment were recorded for 4∼12 hours postoperatively. The results were analyzed using Student t-test and ANOVA, comparing controls(n=10) to MUF(n=10). Blood loss(ml/kg/24hr) was 14.5(mean) in MUF versus 13.7 in controls; blood transfused(ml/kg/24hr) 6.6 in MUF versus 15.2 in controls; plasma transfused(ml/kg/24hr) 65.7 in MUF versus 59.6 in controls. There was rise in arterial blood pressure and hematocrit during MUF. Percent rise of systolic blood pressure was 28.8% in MUF versus 18.7% in controls(p=0.366); percent rise of diastolic blood pressure was 28.8% in MUF versus 8.5% in controls(p=0.135); and percent rise of mean blood pressure was 36.2% in MUF versus 8.2% in controls (p=0.086). Percent rise of hematocrit was 40.0% in MUF versus 23.5% in controls(p=0.002). There was no significant difference in the inotropic requirement and the postoperative serum osmolarity between two groups. The number of days on the ventilator, the duration of stay in the intensive care unit, and the postoperative hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2004

Purpose: Population using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the cost or it are increasing all over the world. In this study, we investigated the utilization state of CAM in the elderly people during the last 6 months of life. Methods: We found 4,210 persons in Seoul, older than 65 years who received a funeral subsidy from health insurance after death during the latter half of the year, 2001. We stratified them by age and gender and selected 301 persons and surveyed them by questionnaire. Results: 247 persons (83.1%) used at least one of CAM during their last 6 months of life. Diet and Nutrition remedy showed the highest utilatization rate (65.5%), and drug therapies also were much used (29.9%). Utilization rate was higher in female (60%) and according to the cause of death, the highest in a geriatric disease groups, and the lowest in the cancer group. Whole satisfaction to CAM was high with average 4.25 points out of total 6, and adverse effects were almost free with average 5.55 points out of total 6. Satisfaction was the highest in Diet and Nutrition remedy but the lowest in Manipulative and Body-Based methods. Adverse-effect score was best in Manipulative and Body-Based methods. According to age and the causative disease of death, there were significant differences in satisfaction and adverse effect levels. Conclusion: Majority of old people used at least one of CAM during their last 6months of life. Whole satisfaction and adverse-effect level were very excellent.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.983-994
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• 2021

Objective : The effectiveness of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR) in the treatment of brain metastases is well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of maximizing the radiation dose in GKR and the factors influencing tumor control in cases of small and medium-sized brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods : We analyzed 230 metastatic brain tumors less than 5 mL in volume in 146 patients with NSCLC who underwent GKR. The patients had no previous radiation therapy for brain metastases. The pathologies of the tumors were adenocarcinoma (n=207), squamous cell carcinoma (n=18), and others (n=5). The radiation doses were classified as 18, 20, 22, and 24 Gy, and based on the tumor volume, the tumors were categorized as follows : small-sized (less than 1 mL) and medium-sized (1-3 and 3-5 mL). The progression-free survival (PFS) of the individual 230 tumors and 146 brain metastases was evaluated after GKR depending on the pathology, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score (PS), tumor volume, radiation dose, and anti-cancer regimens. The radiotoxicity after GKR was also evaluated. Results : After GKR, the restricted mean PFS of individual 230 tumors at 24 months was 15.6 months (14.0-17.1). In small-sized tumors, as the dose of radiation increased, the tumor control rates tended to increase (p=0.072). In medium-sized tumors, there was no statistically difference in PFS with an increase of radiation dose (p=0.783). On univariate analyses, a statistically significant increase in PFS was associated with adenocarcinomas (p=0.001), tumors with ECOG PS 0 (p=0.005), small-sized tumors (p=0.003), radiation dose of 24 Gy (p=0.014), synchronous lesions (p=0.002), and targeted therapy (p=0.004). On multivariate analyses, an improved PFS was seen with targeted therapy (hazard ratio, 0.356; 95% confidence interval, 0.150-0.842; p=0.019). After GKR, the restricted mean PFS of brain at 24 months was 9.8 months (8.5-11.1) in 146 patients, and the pattern of recurrence was mostly distant within the brain (66.4%). The small and medium-sized tumors treated with GKR showed radiotoxicitiy in five out of 230 tumors (2.2%), which were controlled with medical treatment. Conclusion : The small-sized tumors were effectively controlled without symptomatic radiation necrosis as the radiation dose was increased up to 24 Gy. The medium-sized tumors showed potential for symptomatic radiation necrosis without signifcant tumor control rate, when greater than 18 Gy. GKR combined targeted therapy improved the tumor control of GKR-treated tumors.