• 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.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4517-4525
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• 2016

Background: Sperm DNA damage is underlying aetiology of poor implantation and pregnancy rates but also affects health of offspring and may also result in denovo mutations in germ line and post fertilization. This may result in complex diseases, polygenic disorders and childhood cancers. Childhood cancer like retinoblastoma (RB) is more prevalent in developing countries and the incidence of RB has increased more than three fold in India in the last decade. Recent studies have documented increased incidence of cancers in children born to fathers who consume alcohol in excess and tobacco or who were conceived by assisted conception. The aetiology of childhood cancer and increased disease burden in these children is lin ked to oxidative stress (OS) and oxidative DNA damage( ODD) in sperm of their fathers. Though several antioxidants are in use to combat oxidative stress, the effect of majority of these formulations on DNA is not known. Yoga and meditation cause significant decline in OS and ODD and aid in regulating OS levels such that reactive oxygen speues meditated signal transduction, gene expression and several other physiological functions are not disrupted. Thus, this study aimed to analyze sperm ODD as a possible etiological factor in childhood cancer and role of simple life style interventions like yoga and meditation in significantly decreasing seminal oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage and thereby decreasing incidence of childhood cancers. Materials and Methods: A total of 131 fathers of children with RB (non-familial sporadic heritable) and 50 controls (fathers of healthy children) were recruited at a tertiary center in India. Sperm parameters as per WHO 2010 guidelines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation index (DFI), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and telomere length were estimated at day 0, and after 3 and 6 months of intervention. We also examined the compliance with yoga and meditation practice and smoking status at each follow-up. Results: The seminal mean ROS levels (p<0.05), sperm DFI (p<0.001), 8-OHdG (p<0.01) levels were significantly higher in fathers of children with RB, as compared to controls and the relative mean telomere length in the sperm was shorter. Levels of ROS were significantly reduced in tobacco users (p<0.05) as well as in alcoholics (p<0.05) after intervention. DFI reduced significantly (p<0.05) after 6 months of yoga and meditation practice in all groups. The levels of oxidative DNA damage marker 8-OHdG were reduced significantly after 3 months (p<0.05) and 6 months (p<0.05) of practice. Conclusions: Our results suggest that OS and ODD DNA may contribute to the development of childhood cancer. This may be due to accumulation of oxidized mutagenic base 8OHdG, and elevated MDA levels which results in MDA dimers which are also mutagenic, aberrant methylation pattern, altered gene expression which affect cell proliferation and survival through activation of transcription factors. Increased mt DNA mutations and aberrant repair of mt and nuclear DNA due to highly truncatred DNA repair mechanisms all contribute to sperm genome hypermutability and persistant oxidative DNA damage. Oxidative stress is also associated with genome wide hypomethylation, telomere shortening and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to genome hypermutability and instability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report decline in OS and ODD and improvement in sperm DNA integrity following adoption of meditation and yoga based life style modification.This may reduce disease burden in next generation and reduce incidence of childhood cancers.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.534-538
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• 2001

Background: Knowledge of size and morphology of the normal trachea is important for airway management and tracheal reconstruction. Conventional radiography is a simple method used to measure the tracheal diameter, but it is not accurate because of the artifacts related to image magnification and overlapping by the shoulder. The purpose of this study was to provide the normal values of the tracheal size and anatomy in Korean adults using Computerized Topography. Material and Method: There were 43 men and 34 women included in this study. They were divided into three age groups(group 1, 20-39 years ; group 2, 40-59 yeas , groups 3, $\geq$60 years). The anteroposterior and transverse diameters and cross - sectional areas of the trachea were measured at the level of the thoracic inlet(Level 1) and the aortic arch(Level 2). These values obtained at each level were compared between age groups and sexes. Result: In 43 men, the anteroposterior / transverse diameters(mean SD in millimeters) of the trachea at levels 1 and 2 were 19.95$\pm$2.99 / 17.72$\pm$2.13 and 19.77$\pm$2.57 / 18.02$\pm$2.19, respectively. In 34 women, those values at levels 1 and 2 were 15.56$\pm$2.12 / 14.18$\pm$2.07 and 15.35$\pm$1.82 / 15.00$\pm$1.60, respectively. At both levels, the anteroposterior and transverse diameters were significantly greater in men than in women (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area of the trachea at levels 1 and 2 were 279.14$\pm$61.37 / 281.93$\pm$63.97 $\textrm{mm}^2$ in men and 173.29$\pm$35.81 / 181.88$\pm$34.74 in women, respectively. They also showed significantly greater values in men than in women(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in diameters and cross-sectional areas of the trachea between age groups. Conclusion: There are significant differences in the internal diameter and cross- sectional area of the trachea between men and women in normal Korean adults, while the age difference was insignificant. We believed CT is a relatively accurate and safe way to measure the internal diameter and cross-sectional areas of the trachea.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.109-138
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• 2010

This study examined how practical reasoning process is reflected in the 2007 revised home economics textbook of the 7th grade that is being used in schools since 2010. For a textbook analysis of the components of practical reasoning process, 12 published textbooks were all analyzed, and analysis areas were decided by reconstructing the textbook system into introduction, body contents, learning activities, evaluation. Analysis criteria were extracted from the previous literatures. Practical reasoning process was classified into Valued Ends, Context and Background, Alternatives and Means, on sequence, and Action and Reflection. As a result of analyzing categories and problems that practical reasoning process is reflected in the textbook, firstly, here was a category, which Valued Ends was absent in the practical reasoning process. In the relevant category, general problem solving progress and practical reasoning process could not be differentiated, and activity was developed with 'strategies for solution' as objective. Second, there was a category that the practical reasoning process was reflected in body contents. In this category, knowledge, concept, principle, and theory were insufficiently dealt with. Third, there was a category that reflected components of practical reasoning process but was covered with general problem solving process. Fourth, there was a category that described theme of sub-unit and body contents from the different curriculum perspectives. A curriculum perspective works as the foundation of preparing class contents or consistency of methods when developing lessons. Therefore, confusion might occur when a teacher plans a class with this kind of textbook. Fifth, a category that suggested partial components of practical reasoning process was shown the most and this category is difficult to maximize effects of practical reasoning process.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.570-585
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• 2012

The Korean national curriculum for secondary school emphasizes scientific problem solving. In line with the national curriculum, many educational studies have been conducted in relation to science education. The objects of these studies were well-defined and well-structured problems. The studies were criticized for overlooking ill-defined and ill-structured problems. Some research has dealt with problem finding in ill-structured problems, which is related to creativity. There is a need for a study of scientific problem finding process in an ill-structured problem situation, because this study will help teachers wanting to teach scientific problem-finding in an ill-structured problem situation. The objective of this study was to conduct an empirical study on the scientific problem finding process in an ill-structured problem situation. One task of scientific problem finding in an ill-structured problem situation was assigned to 92 university students; thereafter, 32 of them participated in the research through interviews. Results indicated that the scientific problem finding process depended on initial clues and tentative solutions. Initial clues were affected by students' experiences, such as major classes, films, and novels. Tentative solutions were influenced by background knowledge of the tasks. Students screened information browsed on the Internet. They applied some standards for selection, particularly emphasized reliability standards, which are supposed to be studied in other contexts. All the students used assumptions to make their problems appear probable, which could be a useful tool to articulate.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.95-120
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• 1996

College level educational training system for the allied health manpower in the country is one of the oldest junior college education programs, and has been developed at very steady phase. Since the school years of the programs limited for 2 to 3 years by the education related law, qualification of the manpower is insufficient to meet the rapidly changing needs in the field of allied health and medicine. The system is comparable with that of developed countries where 4-year baccalaureate degree programs are basically required to be an allied health personnel. Thus, education and training background of allied health program graduates of the country confronts the barriers in competition and cooperation with the graduates of foreign countries at equal basis. Beside, junior college graduates can hardly find the way through advanced courses at 4-year colleges in their specialties except a few programs such as environmental sicience or courses in hygiene. It has long been sought to develop the education and training programs for junior college graduates. Some of them are already materilized and some show remarkable progress while some need to tackle. Wide opening of the opportunity to enroll extensive education program for the junior college graduates of allied health science majors in 4-year colleges with eventual grant of bachelor's degree for those who successfully completed the programs should soon be substantiated. The study was focused to emphasize the necessity of the extensive education and training for the junior college graduate allied health manpower, and to show possibility of the education program development in connection with the 4-year degree granting education programs. The outcome of the study can be summarized as followings. 1. A total number of graduates from eight allied health sciences related programs of junior colleges by the year of 1995 are 109,320. 2. According to the survey report analysed through questionnaires, 99.7% of respondents including administrative deans and professors of junior colleges agreed with the establishment of extensive education and training programs in junior colleges. 53.9% of administrative deans, 52.9% of professors and 47.6% of the graduates expected that it is possible to learn more about their majors, and to earn bachelor's degree through the extensive education programs. Other opinions include that the programs can provide supplementary opportunities to fortify in the area of basic life science, and development of research and technology. 3. It was also found through the survey that 91.2% of the deans, 87.8% of the professors and 68.2% of the graduates responded that the most appropriate organizations to open the extensive education and training programs for allied health manpower are junior colleges where allied health personnel are taught and trained. The majority of the respondents agreed that the acceptable number of credits offered for the previous 2-year junior college graduates are $50\sim60$, and those for the current 3-year graduates are $20\sim30$ units. 4. It was strongly suggested through the survey that baccalaureate degree should be granted for those who successfully completed the extensive courses. The suggestion was claimed by 94.1% of the deans, 89.4% of the professors and 83.4% of the graduates. 5. The model curricula for the extensive education and training programs for the allied health manpower are designed for the purpose of broad capability in practice, enrichment of knowledge and promotion of proficiency for the self access in the major areas. 6. To meet the universal standards of allied health education and training program, it is recommended that opening of the curricula for the extensive, and as well as intensive, courses within junior colleges(continuation education institute) should be materialized. The special baccalaureate degree programs within junior colleges are also recommended to accommodate the junior college graduates and to grant the degree fellowing successful completion of the courses. As a part of the education revolution in progress, the school years at junior college level should be flexible depending upon the nature of course and trend of the universe. For instance, the school years for the allied health manpower should be extended to two to four years from current two to three years.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.229-241
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• 2003

Background:Autogenous vein is the preferred vascular graft for patients who require coronary artery bypass surgery or peripheral arterial bypass surgery. When an autogenous vein is not available, an allograft saphenous vein can be used as an alternative conduit. Although arterial homograft has been under investigation since the beginning of this century, the viability of endothelial cells and the optimum mode of storage for the venous and arterial allografts is controversial. In addition, with the recently gained knowledge of vascular endothelial functions, such as the production of nitric oxide or thrombomodulin, the viability and antigenicity of endothelial cells are being studied again. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of endothelial cells in the preserved human saphenous veins. Material and Method: The veins were stored in a $4^{\circ}C$ RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) 1640 solution including 10% fetal calf serum, for one, three, five, seven or fourteen days. After the completion of the storage period, the veins were divided into two groups: Group I: studied immediately at $4^{\circ}C$ (cold) storage (I-1, I-3, I-5, I-7, I-14), and Group II: studied after storage at $-196^{\circ}C$ liquid nitrogen tank (cryopreservation) in an RPMI 1640 solution containing 10% DMSO for two weeks (II-1, II-3, II-5, II-7, II-14). Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), frypan blue exclusion testing, and thrombomodulin immunohistochemistry were performed. Result: In a morphometric study using SEM, there was statistically significant increase in Gundry Score in Groups I-7, I-14, II-5, II-7, and II-14 and showed cellular destruction (p<0.05). In the thrombomodulin immunohistochemistry study, there was reactivity in Groups I-1, I-3, and I-5, but the cryopreserved group revealed decreased reactivity (p<0.05). The trypan blue exclusion testing also showed superior viability in cold storage Group I. Conclusion: Venous allografts preserved in a $4^{\circ}C$ RPMI 1640 solution showed well preserved endothelial cellular integrity and thrombomodulin expression at up to seven days of preservation. Although cryopreservation of venous allografts stored in 10% DMSO -RPMI 1640 solution maintained the endothelial cellular structure on SEM, immunohistochemistry from the thrombomodulin and trypan blue exclusion testing showed decreased viability, It remains to be seen whether the decreased thrombomodulin reactivity could be restored, and what the nature to the relationship is between thrombomodulin and long-term patency of allografts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: Many edible mushrooms are known to accumulate high levels of heavy metals. This research was focused on health risk assessment to investigate the mushrooms in Korea, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) contaminations in edible mushrooms in cultivated areas were investigated, and health risk was assessed through dietary intake of mushrooms. METHODS AND RESULTS: The heavy metals in mushrooms were analyzed by ICP/MS after acid digestion. Probabilistic health risk were estimated by Monte-Carlo simulation techniques. The average contents of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg were $0.035{\pm}0.042$ mg/kg, $0.017{\pm}0.020$ mg/kg, $0.043{\pm}0.013$ mg/kg, and $0.004{\pm}0.004$ mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that contents of Cd and Pb did not exceed maximum residual levels established by European Uion regulation (Cd 0.20 mg/kg and Pb 0.30 mg/kg). For health risk assessment, estimated intakes in all age populations did not exceed the provisional tolerable daily intake of As and Hg, provisional tolerable monthly intake of Cd, provisional tolerable weekly intake of Pb. The Hazard Index (HI) were ranged from $0.03{\times}10^{-4}{\sim}0.01{\times}10^{-3}$ for As, $0.02{\times}10^{-3}{\sim}0.81{\times}10^{-3}$ for Cd, $0.06{\times}10^{-3}{\sim}0.38{\times}10^{-3}$ for Pb, and $0.08{\times}10^{-4}{\sim}0.14{\times}10^{-3}$ for Hg at general population. CONCLUSION: The HI from the ratio analysis between daily exposure and safety level values was less than 1.0. This results demonstrated that human exposure to heavy metals through dietary intake of mushrooms might not cause adverse effect.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.491-496
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• 2007

Background: The best way of delivering drugs for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is via the inhaled route of administration. However, many patients use inhaler devices incorrectly. To augment the proper use of inhalation medicine and to improve knowledge of the disease and compliance, we have developed a "Computerized Respiratory Service Program" and applied the use of this program to educate patients. Methods: Prospectively, this study was performed in 164 patients with asthma or COPD prescribed with inhaled medication. When inhalation medication was first prescribed, education using a drug model was conducted two times and thereafter every month. In addition, education using a drug model was conducted and the ability of the patient to use inhalation medicine properly was evaluated. Results: A total of 164 patients participated in the sessions more than two times and received education. Fifty-seven patients participated in three sesions. After the patients received education one time, the ability of these patients to use an inhaler had an average score of 20.6. After the patients received education two times, the average score was 21.9. After the patients received education three times, the average score was 22.3, a further increase. The compliance of using the inhaler was 70.1% at the second session and increased to 81.8% at the third session. Conclusion: Feedback education using the "Computerized Respiratory Service Program" will increase the ability of the patient to use an inhaler and consistent education can maintain patient compliance with inhaler use.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.273-314
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• 2004

There is a belief in the construction industry that the traditional court system may not be an ideal forum to effectively and efficiently resolve construction disputes due to the protracted proceedings and the three tier appeal system resulting in a long delay in the final and conclusive settlement of the dispute, relatively high costs involved, the lack of requisite knowledge and experience in the relevant industry, etc. Hence, they assert that certain alternative dispute resolution ('ADR') methods, such as mediation, conciliation, arbitration or a new system for dispute settlement in the form of any combination thereof should be developed and employed for construction disputes so as to resolve them more promptly and efficiently to the satisfaction of all the disputants concerned. This paper discusses certain merits of such assertions and the need for additional considerations for effective resolution of the construction disputes in light of the complexity of the case, importance of expert witnesses, parties' relationship and non-level playing field of the construction industry and so on. At the same time, however, given the inherent nature of disputes rendering the parties involved in an adversarial position, it would rather be difficult, if not practically impossible, to satisfy all the parties concerned in the dispute. Accordingly, in this study, it is also purported to address the demerits of such assertions by studying the situation from a more balanced perspective, in particular, in relation to the operation of such ADRs. In fact, most of such ADRs as stipulated by special acts, such as the Construction Industry Basic Act of Korea, in the form of mediation or conciliation, have failed to get support from the industry, and as a result, such ADRs are seldom used in practice. Tn contrast, the court system has been greatly improved by implementing a new concentrated review system and establishing several tribunals designed to specialize in the review and resolution of specific types of disputes, including the construction disputes. These improvements of the court system have been warmly received by the industry. Arbitration is another forum for settlement of construction disputes, which has grown and is expected to grow as the most effective ADR with the support from the construction industry. In this regard, the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board ('KCAB') has established a set of internal rules end procedures in operation to efficiently handle construction disputes. Considering the foregoing, this paper addresses the most important elements of the arbitration, i.e., arbitration agreement and arbitral award, primarily focusing on the domestic arbitrations before the KCAB. However, since this parer is prepared for presentation at the construction disputes seminar for the public audience, it is not intended for academic purposes, nor does it delve into any specific acadcmic issues. Likewise, although this paper addresses certain controversial issues by way of introduction, it mainly purports to facilitate the understanding of the general public, including the prospective arbitrators on the KCAB roster without the relevant legal education and background, concerning the importance of the integrity of the arbitration agreement and the arbitral award. In sum, what is purported in this study is simply to note that there are still many outstanding issues with mediation, conciliation and arbitration, as a matter of system, institutional operation or otherwise, for further study and consideration so as to enhance them as effective means for settlement of construction disputes, in replacement of or in conjunction with the court proceeding. For this purpose, it is essential for all the relevant parties, including lawyers, engineers, owners, contractors and social activists aiming to protect consumers' and subcontractors' interests, to conduct joint efforts to study the complicated nature of construction works and to develop effective means for examination and handling of the disputes of a technical nature, including the accumulation of the relevant industrial data. Based on the foregoing, the parties may be in a better position to select the appropriate dispute resolution mechanism, a court proceeding or in its stead, an effective ADR, considering the relevant factors of the subject construction works or the contract structure, such as the bargaining position of the parties, their financial status, confidentiality requirements, technical or commercial complexity of the case at hand, urgency for settlements, etc.