• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2013

Background & Objectives : The Speech Handicap Index (SHI) is used to assess speech problem of head and neck cancer patients. The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the reliability and validity the Korean version SHI. Materials and Methods : Sixteen patients with oral cavity cancer and 26 normal control were participated in the study. Test-retest reliability of the Korean version of SHI was completed by 20 out of 42 subjects after 2weeks. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the Korean version of SHI scores between normal population and patients group. The relationship between the Korean version of SHI and diadochokinesis (DDK) was investigated using Spearman correlation coefficients. Results : The Korean version of SHI provided a high internal consistency (${\alpha}$=0.99) and test-retest reliability (Spearman rho 0.98). The mean SHI scores [total (T), speech (S), and psychosocial (P)] in normal population were 0.8 (T), 0.2 (S) and 0.4 (P), whereas those in patients group were 58.1 (T), 27.9 (S) and 27.0 (P) respectively. There were significant differences in total SHI score as well as in all of the sub-SHI scores between two groups. Moreover, significant correlation between the Korean version of SHI parameters (T, S, P) and sequential motion rate (SMR) were yielded in patients group. Conclusion : The Korean version of SHIwas reliable and valid. It can be useful as a supplementary clinical tool for diagnosing and measuring treatment efficacy of speech problems related to oral cavity cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2018

Objectives. Regenerative treatment using stem cells may serve as treatment option for empty nose syndrome (ENS), which is caused by the lack of turbinate tissue and deranged nervous system in the nasal cavity. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of ENS. Methods. In this prospective observational clinical study, we enrolled 10 ENS patients who volunteered to undergo treatment of ENS through the injection of autologous SVF. Data, including demographic data, pre- and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) scores, overall patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications, were prospectively collected. Nasal secretion was assessed using the polyurethane foam absorption method, and the levels of biological markers were analyzed in both ENS group and control group using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SVF extracted from abdominal fat was diluted and injected into both inferior turbinates. Results. Among the 10 initial patients, one was excluded from the study. Subjective satisfaction was rated as "much improved" in two and "no change" in seven. Among the improved patients, the mean preinjection SNOT-25 score was 55.0 and the score at 6 months after injection was 19.5. However, the average SNOT-25 score of nine participants at 6 months after injection (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $62.4{\pm}35.8$) did not differ significantly from the baseline SNOT-25 score ($70.1{\pm}24.7$, P>0.05, respectively). Among the various inflammatory markers assessed, the levels of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-8, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly higher in ENS patients. Compared with preinjection secretion level, the nasal secretions from SVF-treated patients showed decreased expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-8 after injection. Conclusion. Although SVF treatment appears to decrease the inflammatory cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa, a single SVF injection was not effective in terms of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction. Further trials are needed to identify a more practical and useful regenerative treatment modality for patients with ENS.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.751-758
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• 2021

Objective: Preoperative differentiation between inverted papilloma (IP) and its malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma (IP-SCC) is critical for patient management. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of conventional imaging features and histogram parameters obtained from whole tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values to predict IP-SCC in patients with IP, using decision tree analysis. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data generated from the records of 180 consecutive patients with histopathologically diagnosed IP or IP-SCC who underwent head and neck magnetic resonance imaging, including diffusion-weighted imaging and 62 patients were included in the study. To obtain whole tumor ADC values, the region of interest was placed to cover the entire volume of the tumor. Classification and regression tree analyses were performed to determine the most significant predictors of IP-SCC among multiple covariates. The final tree was selected by cross-validation pruning based on minimal error. Results: Of 62 patients with IP, 21 (34%) had IP-SCC. The decision tree analysis revealed that the loss of convoluted cerebriform pattern and the 20th percentile cutoff of ADC were the most significant predictors of IP-SCC. With these decision trees, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and C-statistics were 86% (18 out of 21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 65-95%), 100% (41 out of 41; 95% CI, 91-100%), 95% (59 out of 61; 95% CI, 87-98%), and 0.966 (95% CI, 0.912-1.000), respectively. Conclusion: Decision tree analysis using conventional imaging features and histogram analysis of whole volume ADC could predict IP-SCC in patients with IP with high diagnostic accuracy.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.41.1-41.11
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• 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The viral genome encodes twelve genes for viral replication and infection. The third open reading frame is the spike (S) gene that encodes for the spike glycoprotein interacting with specific cell surface receptor - angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) - on the host cell membrane. Most recent studies identified a single point mutation in S gene. A single point mutation in S gene leading to an amino acid substitution at codon 614 from an aspartic acid 614 into glycine (D614G) resulted in greater infectivity compared to the wild type SARS-CoV2. We were interested in investigating the mutation region of S gene of SARS-CoV2 from Korean COVID-19 patients. New mutation sites were found in the critical receptor binding domain (RBD) of S gene, which is adjacent to the aforementioned D614G mutation residue. This specific sequence data demonstrated the active progression of SARS-CoV2 by mutations in the RBD of S gene. The sequence information of new mutations is critical to the development of recombinant SARS-CoV2 spike antigens, which may be required to improve and advance the strategy against a wide range of possible SARS-CoV2 mutations.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.253-264
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to examine the thermal comfort characteristics of the garments for school, textile and bank worker's uniform. The garments selected for this study were frequently used in Taegu area in terms of design and material used for making garments by the survey for the study The human subject tests were performed to determine the thermal comfort characteristics of garments including thermal, humidity, and wearing sensation and the data were analysed statistically. The results of the study were as follows: 1. According to the result of the survey jacket was mostly used as a school uniform for both male and female high school students. The survey showed that 93% of male students wore 'neck T-shirts' and dimensional fitness for the school uniform got suitable at 2~3 grade high school students. In terms of human subject tests, most students rated 'uncomfortable' in wearing sensation of their school uniform. One of this reason was due to the humidity sensation and air velocity sensation. Level of significance of the thermal sensation for gender difference was higher in hands and feet of the subjects than in chest and thigh of them. 2. According to the result of the survey jacket with zipper was mostly used as a textile worker's uniform. The result of the survey indicated that some textile workers are wearing their inner wear (38.7% for upper and 46.6% for lower). In the human subject tests, about 50% of subjects rated 'comfortable to slightly comfortable' for wearing sensation of the textile worker's uniform. It showed that the female subjects of the humidity sensation was rated higher than the male subjects of the humidity sensation, while the male subjects of the thermal sensation was rated higher than the female subjects of the thermal sensation. There was a closer correlation with the subjective thermal sensation for textile worker's uniform in center parts of the subjects such as back and waist than exposed parts. 3. The result of the survey showed that 70% and 23% of the female banker uniform were blouse and jacket, respectively and 75% and 25% of the male banker uniform were jacket and T-shirt, respectively. All interviewee rated trousers and skirts that were used for their lower. 4. The result indicated that 50% male and 67.7% female subjects for the banker uniform rated 'slightly comfortable for the comfort' sensation. 50% male subjects rated 'neutral' and about 50% female subjects rated 'slightly warm to neutral' for the thermal sensation. In addition, The result showed that 75% male subjects for both upper and lower rated 'neutral' for the humidity sensation and also 75% female subjects rated 'neutral to slightly dry'. Thus, there was no significant different between gender. 5. In the thermal sensation of the subjects for the banker's uniform by parts, 50% subjects rated 'neutral' for their body parts, including head, neck, back, waist, hip, lower arm, and thigh. The extremely cold parts were hands and feet for both male and female subjects.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.172-178
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• 2016

Background: This study was designed to assess serum vitamin D status (25-OHD) in the fibromyalgia (FM) patients and to compare it with a healthy control group. It also aimed to investigate the correlation of serum vitamin D level with FM symptom severity and invalidation experiences. Methods: A total of 74 consecutive patients with FM and 68 healthy control participants were enrolled. The eligible FM patients completed the Illness Invalidation Inventory (3*I), the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) and a short-form health survey (SF-12). Venous blood samples were drawn from all participants to evaluate serum 25-OHD levels. Mann-Whitney tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed and Spearman's correlations were calculated. Results: 88.4% of FM patients had low levels of serum 25-OHD. FM patients had significantly higher level of serum 25-OHD than the control group ($17.24{\pm}13.50$ and $9.91{\pm}6.47$ respectively, P = 0.0001). There were no significant correlations between serum 25-OHD levels and the clinical measures of disease impact, invalidation dimensions, and health status. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that an increased discounting of the disease by the patient's spouse was associated with a 4-fold increased risk for vitamin D deficiency (OR = 4.36; 95% CI, 0.95-19.87, P = 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that although high rates of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency were seen among FM patients and healthy non-FM participants, but it seems there was no intrinsic association between FM and vitamin D deficiency. Addressing of invalidation experience especially by the patient's spouse is important in management of FM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2675-2680
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• 2014

Background: To investigate differentiated thyroid cancer risk factors in natives of French Polynesia is of interest because of the very high incidence of this cancer in the archipelago. Materials and Methods: To assess the role of various potential risk factors of thyroid cancer in the natives of French Polynesia we performed a case-control study. The study included almost all the French Polynesians diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma between 1981 and 2003 (n=229) and 373 French Polynesian control individuals from the general population without cancer. Results: Thyroid radiation dose received from nuclear fallout before the age of 15, a personal history of neck or/and head medical irradiation, obesity, tallness, large number of children, an artificial menopause, a familial history of thyroid cancer, a low dietary iodine intake, and having a spring as the main source of drinking water were found to be significant risk factors. No roles of smoking habits, alcohol consumption, iodine containing drugs, and exposure to pesticides were evidenced. Conclusions: Except for smoking, differentiated thyroid carcinoma risk factors in natives of French Polynesia are similar to those in other populations. Our finding on the role of having a spring as a drinking water origin is coherent with some other studies and could be due to geological factors.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2020

Acacetin, which is present in damiana (Turnera diffusa) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), has several pharmacologic activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effect of acacetin on head and neck cancers has not been clearly established. This study aimed to examine the effects of acacetin on cell growth and apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells. These were investigated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, Live/Dead cell assay, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, caspase-3 and caspase-7 activation assay, and immunoblotting in FaDu cells. Acacetin induced FaDu cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with an estimated IC₅₀ value of 41.9 µM, without affecting the viability of L-929 mouse fibroblasts as normal cells. Acacetin treatment resulted in nuclear condensation in the FaDu cells. It promoted the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8, and -9 with increasing amounts of the cleaved caspase isoforms in FaDu cells. Acacetin-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting showed downregulation of the anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, but upregulation of the mitochondria-dependent pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Badin FaDu cells after acacetin treatment. These findings indicate that acacetin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.23 no.4 s.43
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• pp.455-474
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• 1993

Degenerative joint disease(DJD) has hun known as one of the diseases which affect the middleor old-aged people. But as orthodontists are getting interested in the adult orthodontics, it is not rare for them to meet the open-bite patients with the TMJ DJD in their clinics. The purpose of this article is to investigate the cephalometric characteristics of the open-bite cases with TMJ DJD. Twelve TMJ DJD patients($15.1\~39.5$ years old) were selected from the patients who visited Department of Orthodontics, Seoul National University Hospital. Cephalograms were taken and means from 60 measurements were compared by t-test with those of the fifty four healthy adults($20.0\~26.7$ years old) who have normal occlusion and TMJ. In this study male and female are compared respectively, for in the normal samples 26 measurements showed significant differences between the male and the female. The results and conclusions axe as follows: 1 In DJD group, ANB and Angle of convexity decreased, which means the retruding of the mandible. The interincisal angle was smaller than that of the normal group. The means of the overbite were -2.1mm in male and -3.0mm in female, and the means of the overjet were 5.6mm in male and 6.7mm in female. The profile was similar to that of Angle's Class II div.1 open-bite. 2. SN-GoMe and FMA increased in DJD but SN-PP and FH-PP did not show any significant difference. In TMJ DJD open-bite cases, the bony structure lower than the palatal plane seemed to play an important role in developing open-bite. 3. In DJD group, PH-ArGo, SArGo and Y-sxis angle increased significantly, but genial angle showed no significant difference. The means of hか were 50.1mm in male and 40.2mm in female, which were significantly smaller than those of the normal(56.5mm in male, 50.9mm in female). These findings seemed to indicate the posterior rotation of mandible resulted from the shortening of the ramus height. 4. Anterior faical height(AFH), upper anterior facial height(UAFH) and lower anterior facial height (LAEH) of DJD showed no significant increase as compared with those of the noraml group. There was no significant difference in the ratio of upper anterior facial height to lower anterior facial height(UAFH/LAFH). But, lower posterior facial height(LPFH) was significantly smaller than that of the normal group. 5. It was thought that the peculiar profile of the TMJ DJD open-bite was resulted from the posterior rotation of mandible as the ramus became short following the degerative destruction of of the condylar head and neck.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.126-130
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the result of extraarticular dorsal closing wedge osteotomy in Freiberg's disease. Materials and Methods: Between February 2012 and July 2014, total 10 patients who underwent dorsal closing wedge osteotomy and followed up more than 1 year were selected for inclusion. Average age was 16.3 years, and average follow-up period was 15.5 months. The diagnosis was made using magnetic resonance imaging of those with a limitation in walking or usual activity due to pain in the metatarsal head. During operation, we removed loose body, and synovectomy was done. Osteotomy at the metatarsal neck and fixation with Kirschner wire were performed. X-ray was taken to check shortening of 2nd metatarsal and bone union. Moreover, we checked the active range of motion of 2nd metatarsophalangeal joint before and after surgery. At the last follow-up, the shortening of metatarsal, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and patient's subjective satisfaction were evaluated. Results: According to the Smillie's stage, there were 3 cases of stage II, 4 cases of stage III, and 3 cases of stage IV. Average bone union time on the osteotomy site was 8 weeks. Average shortening of metatarsal was 2.53 mm. Average AOFAS score improved significantly from 56.9 to 82.8 points at final follow-up (p<0.05), and average VAS score also improved significantly from 6.4 to 1.4 points at final follow-up (p<0.05). Average active range of motion at metatarsophalangeal joint improved from $28.0^{\circ}$ preoperatively to $46.5^{\circ}$ at the final follow-up. Other complications, such as metatarsalgia and arthritis, were not found; however, there was 1 case of delayed union with no symptom. Conclusion: In Freiberg's disease, dorsal closing wedge osteotomy is recommended for the improvement of clinical symptoms and range of motion.