• Korean Journal of Dental Materials
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2017

This study investigated the colors and mechanical properties of layered dental composites. Four nanocomposite resins (Aelite LS, Grandio, Tetric EvoCeram, Filtek Z350XT) and a silorane-based composite resin (P90) were used for overlying and underlying materials, respectively, with different thickness combinations. Colors, translucency parameter (TP), flexural and compressive properties were evaluated. All tested specimens had different color coordinates, although all were of A3 shade. Color coordinates and TP values of layered specimens better matched those of the corresponding overlying product as the thickness of the overlying product was increased. High TP values were related with high $b^*$ value differences between specimens (p<0.05). Both flexural strength and modulus, compressive strength and modulus of layered specimens with different thickness combinations were mostly lower than those of the corresponding overlying products, respectively, in their non-layered state.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 2019

Purpose: Intravitreal aflibercept, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and dexamethasone are the most widely used drugs in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors and dexamethasone for the treatment of DME. Methods: There were nine previous systematic reviews on this topic; we updated these high-quality reviews. Seven studies were added to two studies following a literature search. Efficacy outcomes were 1) average improvement in visual acuity, 2) proportion of patients who experienced an improvement in vision (an increase in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ${\geq}15$ in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS]), and 3) proportion of patients who experienced worsening vision (a decrease in BCVA of ${\geq}15$ in the ETDRS). Safety outcomes included systemic adverse events and ocular-related adverse events. Results: The mean difference in the BCVA for ranibizumab versus bevacizumab treatment was 0.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.02, 0.34), and that for ranibizumab versus aflibercept was -0.08 (95% CI: -0.26, 0.10). The mean difference in the change of BCVA for aflibercept versus ranibizumab was -0.20 (95% CI: -0.40, -0.01), and that for aflibercept versus bevacizumab was -0.34 (95% CI: -0.53, -0.14). Other efficacy outcomes showed similar trends, and there was no significant difference between treatments. There was also no significant difference in both systemic and ocular adverse events rates between the treatments. Conclusions: In DME patients, the efficacy of aflibercept was found to be higher with respect to BCVA changes compared with ranibizumab or bevacizumab. However, there were no significant difference in terms of visual acuity improvement or visual acuity of more than 15 letters, nor in terms of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (as a safety outcome).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

Objective : The present study investigated the effects of group play activities based on Ayres Sensory $Integration^{(R)}$ (ASI) on sensory processing ability, social skill ability and self-esteem of low-income children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods : A total of 20 low-income participants with children with ADHD were recruited and divided into an experimental group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). Sensory processing ability was measured via the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Social skill ability was measured via the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS). To measure self-esteem, the Rosenberg's self- esteem scale was used. The experimental group received the $ASI^{(R)}$ group play activities for 50 minutes, twice per week for six weeks, while the control group did not receive an intervention. Level of significance of all statistical analyses was .05. Results : Social skill ability (F=4.443, p=.05), cooperation (F=5.328, p=.035) and self-esteem (F=5.358, p=.033) differed significantly between groups after the intervention. Conclusion : Our findings indicate that the group play activities based on $ASI^{(R)}$ are effective in improving social skill ability and self-esteem. This study provided a theoretical basis for the claim that sensory integration therapy should be applied in general elementary schools.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.2
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• pp.226-231
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• 2011

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica is a deciduous tree species used for traditional medicine. This study was conducted to investigate the variation of samara, seed, germination and growth characteristics among populations and among individuals within five natural populations of U. davidiana var. japonica distributed in Korea. The ten characteristics of samara and seed, the three germination behaviors as well as the two growth traits were studied in samaras collected from total 32 trees. Statistical analysis of all characteristics showed that there were significant differences among populations as well as among individuals within populations. In this study, the mean characteristics of this species were 13.0 mm in samara length, 9.7 mm in samara width, 1.37 in samara index, 0.015 g in samara weight, 3.07 mm in samara stalk length, 3.85 seed length, 2.66 mm in seed width, 1.46 in seed index, 1.29 mm seed thickness, 0.0062 g in seed weigh, 34.8% in germination percentage, 8.6 days in mean germination time, 3.5 ea./day in gemination rate, 37.7 cm in height and 4.90 mm in root collar diameter. Especially, coefficients of variations in samara weight, germination percentage, germination rate, height and root collar diameter were relatively high (${\geq}30.0%$) compared to other traits. There was no significant relationship between population association and geographical distribution. The results of principal component analysis for 15 characteristics showed that primary four principal components (PC's) explained 100% of the total variation. The first PC accounted for 41.8% of the variability which correlated with morphological traits, the second PC accounted for 32.9% of the variability which correlated with germination behaviors and the third PC accounted for 16.3% of the variability which correlated with growth traits.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.383-396
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• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the injury mechanism, site, type, initial management approach of orthopedic injury, and outcomes according to the injury severity in moderate-to-severe injured patients. Materials and Methods: During 57-month, excluding the period when the authors' emergency/trauma center was not operating, from 2014 to 2019, a retrospective study was conducted on 778 patients with orthopedic injuries among patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS)>9 scored. The patients were classified into moderate-injured group (group-1, 679) and severe-injured group (group-2, 99) according to the injury severity based on the ISS and physiologic parameters. The injury mechanism and non-orthopedic injury were evaluated. Orthopedic injuries were assessed according to the injury pattern and the number of anatomical regions and bone sites involved. The management approach for the orthopedic injuries in two groups was compared. Outcomes (hospital stay, systemic complications, and in-hospital mortality) were evaluated, and the risk factors for mortality were analyzed. Results: In group-2, the incidence of younger males, high-energy mechanisms, and accompanying injuries was significantly higher than in group-1. The number of anatomical regions and bone sites involved increased in group-2. The involvement of the pelvis, spine, and upper extremity was significantly higher in group-2, whereas group-1 was involved mainly by the lower extremities. Depending on the patient's condition, definitive or staged management for orthopedic injuries may be used. Group-1 was treated mainly with definite fixation after the physiological stabilization process, and group-2 was treated with staged management using temporary external fixation. The hospital stay was significantly longer in group-2. The overall systematic complications and in-hospital mortality was approximately 4.9% and 4.5%. A higher injury severity was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (2.9%, 15.2%; p<0.0001). Increasing age and high ISS are independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusion: A higher severity of injury was associated with a higher incidence of high-energy mechanism, younger, male, accompanying injuries, and the frequency and severity of orthopedic injuries. Severe polytrauma patients were treated mainly with a staged approach, such as external fixation. The hospital stay, systematic complications, and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in severe-injured patients. Age and ISS are strong predictors of in-hospital mortality in polytrauma.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.279-289
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Recently, the golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata has been used as an environmentally-friendly weed-control agent in rice farming. Although effective for this particular style of farming, P. canaliculata can be destructive to other crops. The objective of this study was to identify overwintering as well as regional and seasonal distribution characteristics of P. canaliculata. Notably, winter is typically fatal for P. canaliculata. However, owing to increasing average global temperatures, we assessed the ability of P. canaliculata to survive through uncharacteristically warm winters. METHODS AND RESULTS: To examine the distribution and overwintering regions of P. canaliculata, We conducted a survey from April 2020 to May 2021 on environmentally-friendly rice fields, agricultural waterways, and streams in 23 cities belonging to 8 provinces. In addition, because air temperature may influence the distribution density of P. canaliculata, we analyzed the winter temperature data (http://weather.rda.go.kr). CONCLUSION(S): In 2021, overwintering of P. canaliculata (1-3 individuals/m²) was observed in the Goheung and Yeongam regions in Jeonnam. Overwintering of P. canaliculata was observed in fewer regions in 2021 than in 2020; this fact may be attributed to the lower minimum temperatures measured in 2021 (approximately 8℃ lower) than those in 2020. Our results suggest that overwintering occurs as long as overnight temperatures are ≥ -15℃, but can take place if temperatures are as low as -19℃.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.484-490
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• 2021

Purpose: A rheumatoid forefoot deformity includes severe hallux valgus and claw toe of the four lateral toes. The authors intended to analyze the mid-term results of the modified Hoffman procedure for a rheumatoid forefoot deformity. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two feet of eighteen patients were followed up for more than two years after the modified Hoffman procedure. The mean age was 54.7 years, and the mean follow-up period was three years and four months. Clinically visual analogue scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) MP-IP score were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively. The postoperative complications, the satisfaction of patients, and the presence of plantar callosity were also analyzed. Radiographically, the hallux valgus angle, the 1st intermetatarsal angle, the 1st interphalangeal angle, the 1st interphalangeal joint arthritic change after the operation, and the dorsiflexion angle and the time to union of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint were analyzed. Results: Clinically, the VAS and AOFAS score were respectively improved from 7.1 points and 30.3 points preoperatively to 1.5 points and 83.1 points postoperatively (p<0.001). All patients were satisfied with the results. Plantar callosity disappeared in all cases. Radiographically, the mean hallux valgus angle, the 1st intermetatarsal angle, and the 1st interphalangeal angle changed from 52.8°, 13.3°, and 7.5° preoperatively to 16.2°, 8.7°, and 14.6° postoperatively (p<0.001). The mean dorsiflexion angle of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint was 17.2° postoperatively. The mean time to radiographic union of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint was 11.1 weeks. There were two cock-up deformities of the lesser toe, one wound problem, and two hallux interphalangeal joint arthritis as a complication. There were no cases of nonunion of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint. Conclusion: The modified Hoffman procedure appears to be a safe and satisfactory procedure for a rheumatoid forefoot deformity.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.109-133
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• 2022

Episodic memory consists of a core event and the associated contexts. Although the role of the hippocampus and its neighboring regions in contextual representations during encoding has become increasingly evident, it remains unclear how these regions handle various context-specific information other than spatio-temporal contexts. Using high-resolution functional MRI, we explored the patterns of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and cortical regions' involvement during the encoding of various types of contextual information (i.e., journalism principle 5W1H): "Who did it?," "Why did it happen?," "What happened?," "When did it happen?," "Where did it happen?," and "How did it happen?" Participants answered six different contextual questions while looking at simple experimental events consisting of two faces with one object on the screen. The MTL was divided to sub-regions by hierarchical clustering from resting-state data. General linear model analyses revealed a stronger activation of MTL sub-regions, the prefrontal lobe (PFC), and the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) during social (Who), behavioral (How), and intentional (Why) contextual processing when compared with spatio-temporal (Where/When) contextual processing. To further investigate the functional networks involved in contextual encoding dissociation, a multivariate pattern analysis was conducted with features selected as the task-based connectivity links between the hippocampal subfields and PFC/IPL. Each social, behavioral, and intentional contextual processing was individually and successfully classified from spatio-temporal contextual processing, respectively. Thus, specific contexts in episodic memory, namely social, behavior, and intention, involve distinct functional connectivity patterns that are distinct from those for spatio-temporal contextual memory.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2023

Over the last decade, avian influenza (AI) has been considered an emerging disease that would become the next pandemic, particularly in countries like South Korea, with continuous animal outbreaks. In this situation, risk assessment is highly needed to prevent and prepare for human infection with AI. Thus, we developed the risk assessment matrix for a high-risk area of human infection with AI in South Korea based on the notion that risk is the multiplication of hazards with vulnerability. This matrix consisted of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry farms and the number of poultry-associated production facilities assumed as hazards of avian influenza and vulnerability, respectively. The average number of HPAI in poultry farms at the 229-municipal level as the hazard axis of the matrix was predicted using a negative binomial regression with nationwide outbreaks data from 2003 to 2018. The two components of the matrix were classified into five groups using the K-means clustering algorithm and multiplied, consequently producing the area-specific risk level of human infection. As a result, Naju-si, Jeongeup-si, and Namwon-si were categorized as high-risk areas for human infection with AI. These findings would contribute to designing the policies for human infection to minimize socio-economic damages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2023

The underlying action of policosanol in lowering cholesterol level has not yet been clearly elucidated. Several recent studies have suggested that sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1c play a role in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis via the fatty acid synthesis pathway. To date, no study has evaluated the effects of policosanol on SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway is associated with the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol. Seven-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=7 per group) and treated for 8 weeks as follows: 1) normal diet (normal control), 2) high-fat diet (HFD), 3) HFD+ethanol (Pol-0), 4) HFD+policosanol 1 mg/kg (Pol-1), 5) HFD+policosanol 2 mg/kg (Pol-2), 6) HFD+policosanol 4 mg/kg (Pol-4), and 7) HFD+simvastatin 50 ㎍/kg (positive control). Policosanol and simvastatin were administered at the same time every day while maintaining the HFD. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, serum cholesterol levels were measured, histological analysis was carried out, and the expressions of SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver tissues were examined. Policosanol reduced body weight and the amount of food intake in a dose-dependent manner. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the Pol-1 and Pol-4 groups. The expression of SREBP-1c and FAS was also significantly decreased in the Pol-4 group. These results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol can occur due to the inhibition of the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS.