• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2007

Sono-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid is widely used, but the aspirated samples are typically not well preserved and low cellularity makes diagnosis difficult in many cases. The object of the current study is to evaluate the adequacy and diagnostic accuracy of the use of $SurePath^{TM}$ liquid-based cytology (SP-LBC) in the sonoguided fine needle aspiration of the thyroid nodule and to compare its use with that of the use of a conventional smear (CS). A total of 172 sono-guided FNAs of thyroid nodules from April to June, 2006 were prepared by the use of the split method with either SP-LBC or CS; the samples were stained with the use of hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Papanicolaou (Pap) stains. A cyto-histological correlation was performed in 69 (30 SP and 39 CS) cases that had been histologically confirmed. The rate of producing unsatisfactory slides by the use of the SP-LBC method (9.3%) was less than that of the use of the CS method (20.9%). The diagnostic accuracy of the SP method (93.3%) was better than that of the CS method (85.3%). The sensitivity and specificity of the SP method (94.4% and 92.3%) was better than that of the CS method (83.3% and 70%), respectively (p < 0.05). The CS of sono-guided aspirated specimens had some unavoidable limitations related to inadequate sampling such as a bloody background, low cellularity and an indication that some clinicians smeared many useless slides (averaging four to ten slides), and that most slides showed only blood that included few follicular cells. The SP method resulted in more thinly smeared slides and showed cleaner background and greater cellularity than the use of the CS method. Each follicular cell shows superior nuclear detail, and more distinct cytoplasmic features than with the use of the CS method. SP-LBC appears to be an easy, highly accurate, and reliable cytological method for employ for a diagnostic approach of thyroid disease and thyroid nodules. The SP-LBC method is a suitable alternative to the CS method to overcome diagnostic difficulties.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2002

The regional distribution and relative frequency of the pancreatic endocrine cells in the ICR mouse were studied by immunohistochemical (PAP) method using four types of specific antisera against insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and human pancreatic polypeptide (PP). The pancreas of mice could be divided into three portions; pancreatic islets, exocrine and pancreatic ducts. Pancreatic islets, furthermore, were subdivided into three regions (central, mantle and peripheral region) according to their located types of immunoreactive cells. In the pancreatic islet portions, insulin-immunoreactive cells were located in the central and mantle regions but most of somatostatin-, glucagon- and PP-immunoreactive cells were detected in the mantle and peripheral regions with various frequencies. In addition, PP-immunoreactive cells were also found in the central regions of pancreatic islets of ICR mouse. In the exocrine portions, all four types of immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in the ICR mouse. In the pancreatic duct portions, insulin- and glucagon-immunoreactive cells were situated in the epithelial lining of ICR mouse with a few and rare frequencies, respectively. In addition, rare PP-immunoreactive cells were also demonstrated in the subepithelial regions of the pancreatic duct. However, no somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.379-388
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• 2001

Background : Cervix cancer is the most common form of cancer among Korea women. in spite of proof that cervical cancer screening could reduce death rates substantially, the screening rates reported by previous Korean studies remain stubbornly very low. Behavioral studies to increase the cervix cancer screening rate are essential in order to develop the cancer screening program. Objective : To evaluate the factors which are related to the intention and behavior for cervix cancer screening using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Methods : The survey was conducted from July 21 st to 26th in 1998. Of 3,218 women, 303(12.2%) between 30 and 55 years old, voluntarily participated in the survey in the 3 Myeons in Choongju city. Charge-free cervix cancer screening was provided for the subjects 3 months later. Results : The R-square of both TPB and TRA to the intention (30% and 42%, respectively) was greater than the actual behavior (21% and 13%, respectively. TPB and TRA were found to provide an appropriate framework for the study of cervix cancer screening behavior. However, TRA was more powerful in explaining the intention, not only because the perceived behavioral control component exhibited lower reliability and validity than other components(altitude and subjective norm), but also because there may have been a few limitations in this study design. Consequently, the use of TRA is preferred in attempting to explain intention and actual behavior in this study. Conclusions : This study suggests that a successful intervention program should focus on changing attitudes and reducing psychologic barriers, rather than on just providing information. Physician recommendations, and the support of family members and friends are also very important factors in cervix cancer program participation. Physicians, friends, family members, and opinion leaders in rural areas, all of whom could affect the individual subjective norm, may all have the potential to play great roles as facilitators.

• The Southeast Asian review
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.83-120
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• 2018

For Singapore, 2017 was an uneasy year. The presidential election was fraught with controversy since the revised Presidential Election Act allowed only one candidate to be eligible for the election. The bitter feud between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his siblings shocked many Singaporeans. Succession planning for the next top leadership is still veiled in obscurity. The anti-globalization trend and the increasing pressure to raise the tax have become major challenges for Singapore's economy to overcome. China's continuous diplomatic pressure has called into the question Singapore's pragmatic foreign policy. Although its relations with China were back to normal, Singapore, the ASEAN chair in 2018, is still facing intractable problems in safeguarding ASEAN centrality in the growing US-China rivalry. In the meantime, Singapore has pursued its diversity and equality, heading toward a more matured multi-racial and multi-cultural society in 2017. The first female president, Halimah Yacob, served as a symbolic epitome of Singapore's emphasis on diversity and harmony among different ethnic groups and minorities. This great milestone, however, has largely been questioned by Singaporeans, as it seemed to be a political gesture that only utilized Halimah's double minority in the level of ideologies. The election of the Malay president has led Singaporeans to think about the real equity and equality among minorities, while strongly motivated to move toward a more inclusive society. In 2018, Singaporean leaders will try to resolve many challenging problems by reaffirming leadership succession planning, which is expected to lead Singapore to pursue a more integrated society.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.469-481
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• 2022

This study is for increasing evacuation safety by analyzing RSET(the required safe escape time) through the arrangement of personnel by floor and by room while evacuating in a Girls' High School Dormitory. For this study, PAPS(Physical Activity Promotion System) results that have not been studied so far were analyzed and reflected in evacuation simulations on the premise that individual student's physical strength can affect evacuation. Based on the PAPS results, four scenarios were applied. In addition, evacuation simulation using the pathfinder program was conducted in two situations: the evacuation route was assigned or not. Scenario 4 was the fastest at 168.5 seconds of RSET in assigning evacuation routes among scenarios. As a result of this study, the arrangement of students focusing on improving their academic ability and student life guidance excluding student physical strength has problem. In order to solve this problem, it is effective to place C group students(low grade on PAPS) on low floors and A group students(high grade on PAPS) on high floors and to assign evacuation routes in each room. In the future, the following ways need to be more studied. A study on how to increase evacuation safety through practical evacuation training, the way of assessing evacuation safety reflecting the lifestyle and physical strength of girls, the evacuation route assignment according to the fire occurrence point, and the method to secure evacuation routes in the event of a fire near stairs or entrances should be conducted.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.119-129
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• 2022

Cervical cytology has been widely used as a screening tool for cervical cancer. However, Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and subtype testing are suggested to overcome the high false-negative rate associated with cytology. We aimed to investigate the clinical usefulness and infection rate in the HPV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed in hospitals. HPV PCR data from 217 patients were analyzed. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in the infection rate among different age groups (P=0.015). The biopsy results showed that epithelial cell abnormalities and high HPV-positivity rate was observed in 1 (100%) subject aged <29 years, in 4 out of 5 (80%) patients in their 30s, and in 3 out of 4 (75%) patients aged ≥70 years. The prevalence of HPV infection was very high (46.1%). The highest prevalence (87.5%) was observed among patients in their <29, followed by those in their 30s (67.7%) and those in their 40s (31.9%).A high rate of epithelial cell abnormalities (≥ cervical intraepithelial neoplasia type 1, mild dysplasia) was observed in HPV-infected women aged<30 years. Therefore, extensive research and prevention activities are needed in this age group. HPV PCR testing is recommended to complement cervical cytology

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1994

Background: Patients with mitral stenosis(MS) have been demonstrated to have a variable degree of pulmonary dysfunction and exercise impairment. The hemodynamic changes of MS can be reversed after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty(PMV), but the extent and time course of the imporvement in pulmonary function and exercise capacity are not defined. Methods: In order to investigate the early(3 weeks or less)and late(3 months or more) effects of PMV on pulmonary function and determine if the pulmonary dysfunction is reversible even in patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension, we performed the spirometry, measurements of diffusing capacity and lung volumes, and incremental exercise tests in patients with MS before and after PMV. Results: In 46 patients with MS(age: $40{\pm}12$years, male to female ratio: 1:2, mitral valve area: $0.8{\pm}0.2cm^2$) there was a significant increase in FVC(P<0.0025), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), $FEF_{25-75%}$(P<0.001, $FEF_{50%}$(P<0.001), PEF(P<0.0005), MVV(P<0.005), $\dot{V}O_2$max (P<0.0001), and AT(P<0.0001) after average 10 days of PMV. Also there was a significant decrease in DLco(P<0.0001) and DL/VA(P<0.0001). At later($5{\pm}2$months) follow-up in 11 patients, there was no further improvement in any parameters of pulmonary function and exercise test. Twenty nine patients with sinus rhythm were divided into 16 patients with pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) more than 35mmHg and/or tricuspid regurgitation grade n or more(group A) and 13 patients with PAP less than 35mmHg(group B). Group A Patients had significantly lower FVC(P<0.001), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), DLco(P<0.05), $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.025) and mitral valve area(P<0.025) than group B patients. Group A patients after PMV, showed significant increase in FVC(P<0.001), maximum $O_2$ pulse(P<0.00001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.00025). Both group showed an increase in AT(P<0.0001, P<0.005), but group A showed greater decrease in $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}O_2$ and $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}CO_2$ both at AT(P<0.001, P<0.001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.0001, P<0.0001) after PMV compared with group B. Conclusion: These data suggest that patients with MS can show increased pulmonary function and exercise performance within 1 month after PMV. Patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension had a significant increase in exercise performance compared with those with mild to no pulmonary hypertension and it is thought to be related to a significat decrease of ventilation for a given oxygen consumption at maximum exercise.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2010

Naringin has antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties, however, phenolic compounds including naringin are unstable in the presence of light, heat and oxygen. Beta-cyclodextrin ($\beta$-CD) is a cyclic heptamer composed of seven glucose units that enhances the stability and solubility of molecules through the formation of inclusion complexes. This study was conducted out to compare the effects of CD-naringin (CD-N) inclusion complexes with naringin on lipid metabolism in high fat-fed animals. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either CD-N (0.048%, w/w) or naringin (N, 0.02%, w/w) in a 20% high-fat (HFC, 15% lard, 5% corn oil, w/w) diet for 10 weeks. Orlistat (Xenical, 0.01%, w/w) was used as a positive control (PC). There were no differences in body weight, food intake, liver and heart weights, plasma triglyceride(TG), leptin, adiponectin, resistin, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 concentrations, and hepatic $\beta$-oxidation, carnitine palmitoyl transferase(CPT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme activities between the HFC and CD-N groups or between the HFC and N groups. However, both CD-naringin and naringin supplementation les to a significant reduction in the epididymal and perirenal white adipose tissue weights, plasma free fatty acid, insulin and blood glucose concentrations, hepatic cholesterol and TG contents and hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS), phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) and HMG-CoA reductase activities compared to the HFC group. The plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in CD-N and N groups than in HF and PC groups. These results indicate that both CD-naringin and naringin supplementation effectively improved plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism without differences between CD-N and naringin groups.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7633-7640
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• 2015

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and it is responsible for most cases of cervical uterine cancer. Although HPV infections of the cervix do not always progress to cancer, 90% of cervical cancer cases have been found to be associated with high risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection. HPV DNA testing is widely used, along with Papanicolaou (Pap) testing, to screen for cervical abnormalities. However, there are no data on the prevalence of genotype-specific HPV infections assessed by measuring HPV E6/E7 mRNA in women representative of the Chinese population across a broad age range. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we compared the results with the CervicGen HPV RT-qDx assay, which detects 16 HR-HPV genotypes (Alpha-9: HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58; Alpha-7: HPV 18, 39, 45, 51, 59, and 68; and Alpha-5, 6: HPV 53, 56, 66, and 69), and the REBA HPV-ID assay, which detects 32 HPV genotypes based on the reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) for the detection of oncogenic HPV infection according to cytological diagnosis. We also investigated the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection with a total of 324 liquid-based cytology samples collected in western Shandong province, East China. Results: The overall HPV prevalences determined by HPV DNA and HPV E6/E7 mRNA assays in this study were 79.9% (259/324) and 55.6% (180/324), respectively. Although the positivity of HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression was significantly lower than HPV DNA positivity, the HPV E6/E7 mRNA assay showed greater specificity than the HPV DNA assay (88.6% vs. 48.1%) in normal cytology samples. The prevalence of Alpha-9 (HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58) HPV infection among these women accounted for up to 80.3% and 76.1% of the high-grade lesions detected in the HPV mRNA and DNA tests, respectively. The HR-HPV genotype distribution, based on HPV DNA and E6/E7 mRNA expression by age group in patients with cytologically confirmed lesions, was highest in women aged 40 to 49 years (35.9% for cytologically confirmed cases, Pearson correlation r value=0.993, p<0.001) for high-grade lesions. Among the oncogenic HR-HPV genotypes for all age groups, there was little difference in the distribution of HPV genotypes between the HPV DNA (HPV -16, 53, 18, 58, and 33) and HPV E6/E7 mRNA (HPV -16, 53, 33, 58, and 18) assays. HPV 16 was the most common HPV genotype among women with high-grade lesions. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the HPV E6/E7 mRNA assay can be a sensitive and specific tool for the screening and investigation of cervical cancer. Furthermore, it may provide useful information regarding the necessity for early cervical cancer screenings and the development of additional effective HPV vaccines, such as one for HPV 53 and 58. Additionally, gaining knowledge of HPV distribution may also inform us about ecological changes in HPV after the vaccination.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of the postoperative radiation therapy for patients with Stage III thymoma and to define the optimal radiotherapeutic regimen Materials and Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the records of 24 patients with Stage III thymoma who were referred for postoperative radiation therapy in our institution from June, 1987 to May, 1999. Surgical therapy consisted of total resection in one patient, subtotal resection in seventeen, and biopsy alone in six patients. Age of the patients was ranged from 20 to 62 years with mean age of 47 years. Male to female ratio was 14 to 10. Radiation therapy was delivered with linear accelerator producing either 6 MeV or 10 MeV photons. The irradiated volume included anterior mediastinum and known residual disease. The supraclavicular fossae were not irradiated. The delivered total dose was ranged from 30 to 56 Gy. One patient received 30 Gy and eighteen patients received minimum of 50 Gy. Follow up period was ranged from 12 months to 8 years with median follow up of 40 months. Results : The overall local control rate for entire group of patients was $67\%$ at 5 years. The cumulative local failure rates at one, three and five year were $18\%,\;28\%\;and\;33\%$, respectively. In patients treated with subtotal resection and biopsy alone, local control rate was $76\%\;and\;33\%$, respectively. The actuarial observed survival rate at 5 years was $57\%$, and actuarial adjusted survival at 5 years was $72\%$. The difference between 5 year survival rates for patients treated with subtotal resection and biopsy alone was not statistically significant $(62\%\;vs\;30\%)$. Conclusion : We might conclude that postoperative radiation therapy was safe and effective treatment for patients with Stage III thymoma. Postoperative radiation therapy is recommended in cases where tumor margin is close or incomplete resection is accomplished.