• Title/Summary/Keyword: Long-Term Survival

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Preoperative Risk Factors for Pathologic N2 Metastasis in Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography-Diagnosed N0-1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

  • Yoon, Tae-hong;Lee, Chul-ho;Park, Ki-sung;Bae, Chi-hoon;Cho, Jun-Woo;Jang, Jae-seok
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.52 no.4
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    • pp.221-226
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    • 2019
  • Background: Accurate mediastinal lymph node staging is vital for the optimal therapy and prognostication of patients with lung cancer. This study aimed to determine the preoperative risk factors for pN2 disease, as well as its incidence and long-term outcomes, in patients with clinical N0-1 non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were treated surgically for primary non-small cell lung cancer from November 2005 to December 2014. Patients staged as clinical N0-1 via chest computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT were divided into two groups (pN0-1 and pN2) and compared. Results: In a univariate analysis, the significant preoperative risk factors for pN2 included a large tumor size (p=0.083), high maximum standard uptake value on PET (p<0.001), and central location of the tumor (p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, central location of the tumor (p<0.001) remained a significant preoperative risk factor for pN2 status. The 5-year overall survival rates were 75% and 22.9% in the pN0-1 and pN2 groups, respectively, and 50% and 78.2% in the patients with centrally located and peripherally located tumors, respectively. In a Cox proportional hazard model, central location of the tumor increased the risk of death by 3.4-fold (p<0.001). Conclusion: More invasive procedures should be considered when preoperative risk factors are identified in order to improve the efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic plans and, consequently, the patient's prognosis.

Effects on microbial diversity of fermentation temperature (10℃ and 20℃), long-term storage at 5℃, and subsequent warming of corn silage

  • Zhou, Yiqin;Drouin, Pascal;Lafreniere, Carole
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.32 no.10
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    • pp.1528-1539
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    • 2019
  • Objective: To evaluate the effects on microbial diversity and biochemical parameters of gradually increasing temperatures, from $5^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$ on corn silage which was previously fermented at ambient or low temperature. Methods: Whole-plant corn silage was fermented in vacuum bag mini-silos at either $10^{\circ}C$ or $20^{\circ}C$ for two months and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ for two months. The mini-silos were then subjected to additional incubation from $5^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$ in $5^{\circ}C$ increments. Bacterial and fungal diversity was assessed by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) profiling and biochemical analysis from mini-silos collected at each temperature. Results: A temperature of $10^{\circ}C$ during fermentation restricted silage fermentation compared to fermentation temperature of $20^{\circ}C$. As storage temperature increased from $5^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$, little changes occurred in silages fermented at $20^{\circ}C$, in terms of most biochemical parameters as well as bacterial and fungal populations. However, a high number of enterobacteria and yeasts (4 to $5\;log_{10}$ colony forming unit/g fresh materials) were detected at $15^{\circ}C$ and above. PCR-DGGE profile showed that Candida humilis predominated the fungi flora. For silage fermented at $10^{\circ}C$, no significant changes were observed in most silage characteristics when temperature was increased from $5^{\circ}C$ to $20^{\circ}C$. However, above $20^{\circ}C$, silage fermentation resumed as observed from the significantly increased number of lactic acid bacteria colonies, acetic acid content, and the rapid decline in pH and water-soluble carbohydrates concentration. DGGE results showed that Lactobacillus buchneri started to dominate the bacterial flora as temperature increased from $20^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$. Conclusion: Temperature during fermentation as well as temperature during storage modulates microorganism population development and fermentation patterns. Silage fermented at $20^{\circ}C$ indicated that these silages should have lower aerobic stability at opening because of better survival of yeasts and enterobacteria.

Study on Health Predictors of Early Retirement of Middle-aged and Elderly Workers in Korea: Proportional Hazard Model Analysis by Employment Type (중·고령자의 건강 악화가 조기은퇴에 미치는 영향 연구-근로형태 별 비례위험모형 분석)

  • Chung, Jongwoo
    • 한국노년학
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    • v.37 no.4
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    • pp.871-891
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this paper is to reduce the reverse-causality and overestimate bias of analysis on how health affected middle-aged and elderly worker's early retirement. From the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing(KLoSA) panel data, I researched 1,049 people who were 45-52 years old in 2006. To eliminate the reverse-causality problem, I used the health data which is surveyed before retirement. To reduce bias, I controlled the health status when retirees worked. The main results are as follows. First, the worsened health still affects the hazard of early retirement, with reducing the endogeneity problem. Second, chronic illness is one of the strong predictors of early retirement to self-employed, and self-reported bad health is the main health predictor of wage workers. These results give two implications; first, the impact magnitude of the health indicator depends on employment type. Each employment type has different flexibility of working hours. It seems that the flexibility can reduce early retirement hazard with health problems. Self-employed, who has more flexibility of working hours can work until they have to stop working due to the serious health problem or doctor's advice. Second, to promote middle-aged and elderly workers to keep working, the long-term health policy which decreases chronic illness is needed.

A Study on the Strategic Orientation and the Performance of IT Startups : The Moderating Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility Orientation (IT스타트업의 전략적 지향성과 성과에 관한 연구 : 기업의 사회적 책임 지향성 조절효과)

  • Shim, Yunsoo;Seo, Jounghae;Park, Eunmi
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.127-138
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    • 2021
  • The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of each of the three sub-dimensional strategic orientations of technology orientation, customer orientation, and competitor orientation, on performance, targeting IT startups based on technology. and to analyze moderating effect of corporate social responsibility, which is more important to modern society. For the analysis, , The IT startups completed empirical research through path analysis after evaluating the suitability of measurement models and structural models using PLS-SEM for 94 companies less than 7 years that have moved in startup support institutions. As a result of the study, the three sub-dimensions of strategic orientation, technology orientation, customer orientation, and competitor orientation, all had a positive (+) effect on startups' performance. and the Corporate social responsibility orientation was verified as moderating the startup's strategic orientation and startups' performance. The results of this study imply the importance of corporate social responsibility orientation in the strategy setting of start-ups, as well as the direction of strategy-setting for technology-based startups for competitive advantage and long-term survival.

Optimizing Fat Grafting Using a Hydraulic System Technique for Fat Processing: A Time and Cost Analysis

  • Verdura, Vincenzo;Guastafierro, Antonio;Di Pace, Bruno;Faenza, Mario;Nicoletti, Giovanni Francesco;Rubino, Corrado
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.49 no.2
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    • pp.266-274
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    • 2022
  • Background Many authors have researched ways to optimize fat grafting by looking for a technique that offers safe and long-term fat survival rate. To date, there is no standardized protocol. We designed a "hydraulic system technique" optimizing the relationship among the quantity of injected fat, operative time, and material cost to establish fat volume cutoffs for a single procedure. Methods Thirty-six patients underwent fat grafting surgery and were organized into three groups according to material used: standard, "1-track," and "2-tracks" systems. The amount of harvested and grafted fat as well as material used for each procedure was collected. Operating times were recorded and statistical analysis was performed to establish the relationship with the amount of treated fat. Results In 15 cases the standard system was used (mean treated fat 72 [30-100] mL, mean cost 4.23 ± 0.27 euros), in 11 cases the "1-track" system (mean treated fat 183.3 [120-280] mL, mean cost 7.63 ± 0.6 euros), and in 10 cases the "2-tracks" one (mean treated fat 311[220-550] mL, mean cost 12.47 ± 1 euros). The mean time difference between the standard system and the "1-track" system is statistically significant starting from three fat syringes (90 mL) in 17.66 versus 6.87 minutes. The difference between the "1-track" system and "2-tracks" system becomes statistically significant from 240 mL of fat in 15 minutes ("1-track") versus 9.3 minutes for the "2-tracks" system. Conclusion Data analysis would indicate the use of the standard system, "1-track," and "2-tracks" to treat an amount of fat < 90 mL of fat, 90 ÷ 240 mL of fat, and ≥ 240 mL of fat, respectively.

Effect of trauma center operation on emergency care and clinical outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury

  • Han Kyeol Kim;Yoon Suk Lee;Woo Jin Jung;Yong Sung Cha;Kyoung-Chul Cha;Hyun Kim;Kang Hyun Lee;Sung Oh Hwang;Oh Hyun Kim
    • Journal of Trauma and Injury
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.22-31
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    • 2023
  • Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) directly affects the survival of patients and can cause long-term sequelae. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether the operation of a trauma center in a single tertiary general hospital has improved emergency care and clinical outcomes for patients with TBI. Methods: The participants of this study were all TBI patients, patients with isolated TBI, and patients with TBI who underwent surgery within 24 hours, who visited our level 1 trauma center from March 1, 2012 to February 28, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: patients who visited before and after the operation of the trauma center. A comparative analysis was conducted. Differences in detailed emergency care time, hospital stay, and clinical outcomes were investigated in this study. Results: On comparing the entire TBI patient population via dividing them into the aforementioned two groups, the following results were found in the group of patients who visited the hospital after the operation of the trauma center: an increased number of patients with a good functional prognosis (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively), an increased number of surviving discharges (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively), and a reduction in overall emergency care time (P<0.05, for all item values). However, no significant differences existed in the length of intensive care unit stay, ventilator days, and total length of stay for TBI patients who visited the hospital before and after the operation of the trauma center. Conclusions: The findings confirmed that overall TBI patients and patients with isolated brain injury had improved treatment results and emergency care through the operation of a trauma center in a tertiary general hospital.

Ecological Monitoring on Changes in Microclimate, Vegetation and Soil Properties after 2 Years in Restoration Project Sites Linking the Ridgeline of Baekdudaegan (백두대간 생태축 복원사업 2년 후 산림미기상, 식생 및 토양특성 변화 모니터링)

  • Park, Yeong Dae;Kwon, Tae Ho;Ma, Ho Seop
    • Journal of agriculture & life science
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    • v.50 no.1
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    • pp.125-136
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    • 2016
  • The Korea Forest Service(KFS) has been initiating restoration activities of ridgeline in damaged and fragmented areas of Baekdudaegan since 2011. Completed project in Ihwaryeong, Yuksimnyeong & Beoljae(2012; 2013) were selected as sites for this study. The changes in microclimate condition, vegetation composition and soil properties between project sites and adjacent stands were compared to evaluate the effect of restoration at early stage(after 2years). Pinus densiflora was planted mainly for these restoration sites, however Robinia pseudoacacia and Alnus sibirica invaded the area two years after the restoration activities. Ihwaryeong showed the most changes in understory vegetation among the study sites. Exotic species, such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Oenothera odorata, Erigeron annuus, and Coreopsis tinctoria invaded Ihwaryeong, and the dominance have invaded currently. It resulted from the poor survival rate of trees and high difference in microclimate wherein there's an increased temperature and decreased humidity in both restored sites and adjacent stands. In addition, it is also caused by poor soil chemical property, especially pH and organic matter content due to lack of humus layer and its accumulation, compared to adjacent forest soil in restored sites. Significant difference on chemical soil property was observed between restored sites and adjacent forest but no significant difference was observed after two years of restoration. Ecological monitoring is needed to understand the ecological changes after restoration and to establish a long-term management strategy.

The Mediating Effect of Learning Agility in the Relationship between Issue Leadership and Innovative Behavior (이슈 리더십이 혁신 행동에 미치는 영향 연구 : 학습 민첩성의 매개효과)

  • Park, Sung-ryeul;Chung, Byoung-gyu
    • Journal of Venture Innovation
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.69-87
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    • 2021
  • This study was conducted focusing on the innovative behavior necessary for the long-term survival of an organization in a business environment in which uncertainty and complexity are increasing. To this end, the relationship between issue leadership and innovative behavior of organizational members was investigated from the perspective of Signaling theory, Path-Goal theory and Job Demands-Resources theory. In addition, the mediating role of learning agility and sub-components of learning agility was empirically analyzed. For empirical analysis, a survey was conducted with a total of 252 team leaders and team members working in multinational companies (142 in Korea, 110 in the US). The results of this study are as follows. Issue leadership was analyzed to have a positive (+) effect on the innovative behavior of employees. Learning agility was found to play a mediating role between issue leadership and innovative behavior. On the other hand, the mediating effect was tested for each of the sub-components of learning agility, such as feedback seeking, information seeking, reflecting, experimenting, agility. As a result, all five sub-components were found to play a mediating role between issue leadership and innovative behavior. In particular, it was analyzed that the mediating effect of agility was the largest. Next, information seeking appeared to be large. Although there are some studies that have identified the mediating role of learning agility between issue leadership and innovative behavior, this study is considered to have academic implication as there are few cases of subdivided study. At the practical level, it is expected to provide implications for where to focus more when trying to improve an organization's learning agility and innovation behavior

Monitoring the Alternative Habitat of Kaloula Borealis and Analysis on Meteorological Factors in Pyeongtaek (평택지역의 맹꽁이 대체서식지 모니터링 및 기상요인 분석)

  • Min-Ho Choi;Yang-Seop Bae
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.34 no.4
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    • pp.264-270
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    • 2024
  • This study is conducted to analyze environmental factors that affect the ecology of boreal digging frog and use them as basic data for selecting (or creating) suitability of alternative habitats for survival and monitoring method from 2020 to 2022 after boreal digging frog were relocated to the alternative habitats in 2019. Analyzing the environment of the alternative habitats showed that the criteria suited the followings: distance from wetlands, grasslands and rivers was within 5 m, the low-rise grassland was 6,000 m2, soft soil was at a depth of ≥20 cm, and the area of permanent wetlands was 5,000 m2 wide. As a result of the correlation analysis between meteorological factors and population (n) and breeding, there was a significant correlation between rainfalls and breeding (p<0.01). During the monitoring, it was confirmed that the SVL (Snout-Vent Length) and BM (Body Mass) of the translocated population were maintained (p>0.05), and it was found that the proximity of the habitat and spawning pond, securing food space (grasslands), soil quality, and wetlands could function as an alternative habitat if conditions were met. As a result of analyzing the meteorological factors affecting the population of boreal digging frog, the SVL had a statistical impact on the minimum temperature, maximum temperature, relative humidity, and the rainfall (p<0.05). In the case of breeding, rainfall was found to be affected (p<0.01), and the population was statistically affected by the average temperature, minimum temperature, and relative humidity (p<0.05).

Analysis of Plants Social Network on Island Area in the Korean Peninsula (한반도 도서지역의 식물사회네트워크 분석)

  • Sang-Cheol Lee;Hyun-Mi Kang;Seok-Gon Park
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.127-142
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    • 2024
  • This study aimed to understand the interrelationships between tree species in plant communities through Plant Social Network (PSN) analysis using a large amount of vegetation data surveyed in an island area belonging to a warm-temperate boreal forest. The Machilus thunbergii, Castanopsis sieboldii, and Ligustrum japonicum, which belong to the canopy layer, Pittosporum tobira and Ardisia japonica, which belong to the shrub layer and Trachelospermum asiaticum and Stauntonia hexaphylla, which belong to the vines, appearing in evergreen broad-leaved climax forest community, showed strong positive association(+) with each other. These tree species had a negative association or no friendly relationship with deciduous broad-leaved species due to the large difference in location environments. Divided into 4 group modularizations in the PSN sociogram, evergreen broad-leaved tree species in Group I and deciduous broad-leaved tree species in Group II showed high centrality and connectivity. It was analyzed that the arrangement of tree species (nodes) and the degree of connection (grouping) of the sociogram can indirectly estimate environmental factors and characteristics of plant communities like DCA. Tree species with high centrality and influence in the PSN included T. asiaticum, Eurya japonica, Lindera obtusiloba, and Styrax japonicus. These tree species are common with a wide range of ecological niches and appear to have the characteristics and survival strategies of opportunistic species that commonly appear in forest gaps and damaged areas. They will play a major role in inter-species interactions and structural and functional changes in plant communities. In the future, long-term research and in-depth discussions are needed to determine how these species actually influence plant community changes through interactions