• Journal of Breast Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.406-414
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• 2018

Purpose: T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (TIM-3) is an emerging immune response molecule related to T-cell anergy. There has been tremendous interest in breast cancer targeting immune checkpoint molecules, especially in the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study was designed to investigate TIM-3 expression on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), its relationships with clinicopathological parameters and expression of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)/programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1), and its prognostic role. Methods: Immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray blocks produced from 109 samples of invasive ductal carcinoma type TNBC was performed with antibodies toward TIM-3, PD-1, PD-L1 and breast cancer-related molecular markers. Associations between their expression and clinicopathological parameters as well as survival analyses were performed. Results: TIM-3 was expressed in TILs from all 109 TNBCs, consisting of 17 cases (<5%), 31 cases (6%-25%), 48 cases (26%-50%), and 13 cases (>51%). High TIM-3 was significantly correlated with younger patients (p=0.0101), high TILs (p=0.0029), high tumor stage (p=0.0018), high PD-1 (p=0.0001) and high PD-L1 (p=0.0019), and tended to be associated with higher histologic grade, absence of extensive in situ components and microcalcification. High TIM-3 expression was significantly associated with a combinational immunophenotype group of high PD-L1 and high PD-1 (p<0.0001). High TIM-3 demonstrated a significantly better disease-free survival (DFS) (p<0.0001) and longer overall survival (OS) (p=0.0001), together with high TILs and high PD-1. In univariate survival analysis, high TIM-3 showed reduced relapse risk (p<0.0001) and longer OS (p=0.0003), together with high PD-1 expression. In multivariate analysis, high TIM-3 was statistically significant in predicting prognosis, showing better DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.0994; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0296-0.3337; p=0.0002) and longer OS (HR, 0.1109; 95% CI, 0.0314-0.3912; p=0.0006). Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrate that TIM-3 expression is an independent positive prognostic factor in TNBC, despite its association with poor clinical and pathologic features.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.902-908
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• 2017

To determine the horizontal and temporal distribution of firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans (W. scintillans), larvae, we conducted surveys using IKMT (mesh size: $500{\mu}m$) and CTD (SBE9plus) with Fisheries Research Vessel (FRV, TAMGU 21) in the southern part of the East Sea in summer (August) and autumn (September and November) 2015. A total of 238 larvae, ranging in mantle length (ML) from 0.6 mm to 18.5 mm, were collected at 28 stations. Abundance and larval distribution density were significantly higher in summer than in autumn during the study period. Especially, the highest density of W. scintillans was observed in the coastal waters of the East Sea from Pohang to Pyunghae where cold water masses were distributed in summer. Optimum embryo survival temperature ($6-16^{\circ}C$) 40 to 180 m depth ranges for stations which larvae were collected.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.68-93
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• 2019

Objective : This study summarized the characteristics of clinical trials for atopic dermatitis medicines approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety(MFDS). This study may be a reference for the design of clinical trials of atopic dermatitis herbal medicine treatment which may be carried out later. Method : The characteristics of the clinical trial were analyzed for clinical trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, CRIS, and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute among the clinical trial approval statuses posted on the website of the MFDS. Result : 1. Clinical trial drugs were developed in various formulations such as oral medicines, injections, dermatologic agents, and similar proportions. Relatively little clinical trials were found for herbal medicine. 2. In the control evaluation test, most of the treatments for the control group were performed with placebo using Vehicle. 3. In most clinical trials, one intervention group was in the form of a parallel assignment with only one treatment. 4. The age of the subjects was 11 out of 28 studies including minors, and clinical trials targeting minors were also found to be significant. 5. In the case of atopic dermatitis, the cases of subacute chronic or atopic dermatitis more than 6 months or more than 1 year were often used. 6. Most clinical trials were divided into mild to moderate atopic dermatitis or moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. The SCORAD index, EASI, IGA, BSA, and NRS were used as the evaluation criteria. 7. Regulations for the drugs used prior to the trial period for the treatment of atopic dermatitis vary somewhat from one clinical trial to another. 8. IGA was used most often as a primary efficacy tool, and SCORAD index, EASI, and NRS were also used.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.613-618
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• 2020

This study evaluated the effects of acidulant treatment on the quality and storage period of Topokkidduck. Two samples of Topokkidduck were prepared, one soaked in 10% acidulant (10SAT) and the other without soaking in the acidulant (NSAT). During the storage period, the two samples were tested for presence of microorganisms (aerobic bacteria, E.coli, and mold) and physicochemical properties (color value, texture profile analysis (TPA)). The 10SAT could be stored for 49 days without detection of E.coli and a mold level of 1.0 log CFU/g. NSAT could be stored for only 21 days. NSAT had an aerobic count of 2.27 log CFU/g as early as 7 days, and E.coli was detected at 21 days at a level of 4.15 log CFU/g. The presence of E.coli is not permitted according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The hardness of the 10SAT increased during the storage period but to a much lesser extent compared to the NSAT. Thus the preparation of Topokkidduck by soaking in the acidulant controlled microbial growth for up to 49 days which is a much longer period compared to the control. Also, Topokkidduck soaked in the acidulant had a softer texture than the control during the storage period.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.107-111
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• 2017

Background and Objectives The bedside head impulse test (bHIT) in bare eyes often overlooks possible vestibular losses by missing the corrective saccade. This is why it is necessary to compare bHIT against video head impulse test (vHIT), which is more accurate in identifying vestibular losses than the bedside test. Subjects and Method A total of 51 vHIT positive ears underwent the study, and out of those, 47 were diagnosed with dizziness. bHIT and vHIT were performed for patients, and the occurrence rate of overt saccade (OS) was calculated. Results Among the 51 vHIT positive ears, 33 (64.7%) were bHIT positive ears and 18 ears (35.3%) were bHIT negative. Patterns of positive vHIT were classified as A: no corrective saccade, B: covert saccade (CS) only, C: OS only, and D: CS with OS (CS+OS), which were 45 out of 51 ears (88%). The occurrence rate of OS was higher in the bHIT positive group than in the bHIT negative group (p=0.05), and higher in the CS negative group (CS-) than in the CS positive group (CS+) (p<0.001). Conclusion Possible causes of false negative results of bHIT are seen as following: the absence of corrective (covert and overt) saccade, the occurrence of CS only, and missing the OS during the bHIT (probably due to low occurrence rate of OS). The occurrence of CS should be considered as an important factor in false negative bHIT when lowering the occurrence rate of OS.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.264-271
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• 2022

In this study, the nutritional properties of sterilized and non-heat-pressed raw perilla oil (SRPO) were studied and its potential as a functional food was evaluated. The copper, cobalt, and calcium levels were high in sterilized and SRPO. The total polyphenol content and ABTS radical scavenging activity were the highest in SRPO, whereas nitrite scavenging activity was the highest in 45℃ cold pressed perilla oil (CPPO). The above results confirmed that sterilized and non-heat-pressed perilla oil had high mineral and total polyphenol contents, as well as ABTS radical scavenging activity and nitrite scavenging ability. The peroxide value of SRPO decreased as the storage period increased, and the acid value of low-temperature pressed perilla oil over 65℃ (LPPO) significantly increased. This work also provided an opportunity to develop a new method for manufacturing perilla oil, and it is hoped that these experiments will form a basis for the commercialization of perilla oil.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.989-996
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• 2022

Some flowers have high sensual appealability due to their unique shapes, colors, smells, and tastes. Such edible flowers receive social attention as a noble ingredient of functional teas. In this study, methanol extracts of 23 commercial flower teas (CFTs) were prepared, and their color differences were compared. No tar color pigments were detected in the 23 CFT. The average content of total polyphenol of the 23 CFTs was 80.2±50.92 mg/g and the extracts of jin-dal-rae (Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz), mae-hwa (Prunus mume), mae-mil (Fagopyrum esculentum), mok-ryun (Magnolia kobus), and sal-gu (Prunus armeniaca var. ansu Maxim) flowers showed total polyphenol contents greater than 150 mg/g. The average content of total sugar of the 23 CFTs was 187.4±166.5 mg/g and the extracts of chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), kuk-hwa (Chrysanthemum morifolium), dong-baek (Camellia japonica L.), and won-chu-ri (Hemerocallis fulva) flowers showed total sugar contents greater than 400 mg/g. Among the 23 CFTs, the extract of jang-mi (Rosa hybrida hortorum) flower has prominent anti-thrombosis activity, and the extracts of dal-ma-ji (Oenothera lamarckiana), dong-baek, hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus), and mae-mil flowers showed strong inhibitions against thrombin and blood coagulation factors. Also, the extracts of jang-mi, kum-jan-hwa (Tagetes erecta L.), mae-mil, mok-ryun dong-baek, and jin-dal-rae flower showed strong radical scavenging activities against DPPH, ABTS, and nitrite and reducing power. Our results suggest that the flowers of jang-mi, mae-mil, and dong-baek can be developed as promising anti-thrombosis treatments.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.164-171
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• 2022

We studied the influence of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) manure compost soil application on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.). We compared the soil application of chemical fertilizer (CF), commercial manure (CM), Hanwoo manure (HM), and the mixed Hanwoo manure and chemical fertilizer (HM + CF). CF application showed faster tasseling and silking dates compared to the other treatments. During the early plant growth stage of maize, CF application resulted in taller plant height, However, during later growth stages (55 days after transplanting). HM (226.0 cm) and HM + CF (230.0 cm) treatment resulted in taller plant height compared to CF (216.2 cm). Post-harvest measurement results showed that, the ear length was longer in HM (22.13 cm) and HM + CF (22.70 cm) compared to others, while ear diameter, ear weight, and 100-grains weight showed no significant difference among CF, HM, and HM + CF groups. The use of HM resulted in delayed growth during the early stages of plant development compared to CF. However, crop productivity markers of ear weight and ear diameter showed no significant difference compared to CF. Thus, HM treatment was comparable to CF treatment in maize cultivation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2023

Background: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) update 2023 proposed new definitions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COPD exacerbation. However, an agreement on the definitions has not been made, either internationally or domestically. This study aimed to reach an agreement between experts on the new definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation in South Korea. Methods: A modified Delphi method was used to make an agreement on the definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation proposed by the GOLD update 2023. We performed two rounds of the survey including 15 Korean experts on COPD, asthma, and tuberculosis. Results: More than two-thirds of the experts agreed on 12 of the 13 statements related to the definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation in the two rounds of the survey. The experts agreed on the definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation that should be revised in line with the definitions proposed by the GOLD update 2023. However, the experts showed an uncertain opinion on the statement that the definition of COPD includes patients with persistent airflow obstruction due to bronchiectasis. Conclusion: Based on this Delphi survey, experts' agreement was made on the definitions of COPD and COPD exacerbation proposed by the GOLD update 2023.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.455-460
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• 2023

Text augmentation is a methodology that creates new augmented texts by transforming or generating original texts for the purpose of improving the performance of NLP models. However existing text augmentation techniques have limitations such as lack of expressive diversity semantic distortion and limited number of augmented texts. Recently text augmentation using large language models and few-shot learning can overcome these limitations but there is also a risk of noise generation due to incorrect generation. In this paper, we propose a text augmentation method called TAGS that generates multiple candidate texts and selects the appropriate text as the augmented text. TAGS generates various expressions using few-shot learning while effectively selecting suitable data even with a small amount of original text by using contrastive learning and similarity comparison. We applied this method to task-oriented chatbot data and achieved more than sixty times quantitative improvement. We also analyzed the generated texts to confirm that they produced semantically and expressively diverse texts compared to the original texts. Moreover, we trained and evaluated a classification model using the augmented texts and showed that it improved the performance by more than 0.1915, confirming that it helps to improve the actual model performance.