• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.23.1-23.7
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• 2014

Background: Scanning of the genome for selection signatures between breeds may play important role in understanding the underlie causes for observable phenotypic variations. The discovery of high density single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide a useful starting point to perform genome-wide scan in pig populations in order to identify loci/candidate genes underlie phenotypic variation in pig breeds and facilitate genetic improvement programs. However, prior to this study genomic region under selection in commercially selected Berkshire and Korean native pig breeds has never been detected using high density SNP markers. To this end, we have genotyped 45 animals using Porcine SNP60 chip to detect selection signatures in the genome of the two breeds by using the $F_{ST}$ approach. Results: In the comparison of Berkshire and KNP breeds using the FDIST approach, a total of 1108 outlier loci (3.48%) were significantly different from zero at 99% confidence level with 870 of the outlier SNPs displaying high level of genetic differentiation ($F_{ST}{\geq}0.490$). The identified candidate genes were involved in a wide array of biological processes and molecular functions. Results revealed that 19 candidate genes were enriched in phosphate metabolism (GO: 0006796; ADCK1, ACYP1, CAMK2D, CDK13, CDK13, ERN1, GALK2, INPP1; MAK, MAP2K5, MAP3K1, MAPK14, P14KB, PIK3C3, PRKC1, PTPRK, RNASEL, THBS1, BRAF, VRK1). We have identified a set of candidate genes under selection and have known to be involved in growth, size and pork quality (CART, AGL, CF7L2, MAP2K5, DLK1, GLI3, CA3 and MC3R), ear morphology and size (HMGA2 and SOX5) stress response (ATF2, MSRB3, TMTC3 and SCAF8) and immune response (HCST and RYR1). Conclusions: Some of the genes may be used to facilitate genetic improvement programs. Our results also provide insights for better understanding of the process and influence of breed development on the pattern of genetic variations.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2012

Background : The objective of this study was to examine the effect of management system for the appropriate prophylactic use of antibiotics in surgical patients at a tertiary hospital from 2007 to 2010. Methods : We collected clinical data of three different surgical procedures(colectomy, heart surgery, hysterectomy) for three months of 2007 and 2010, respectively. The number of total cases was 245(137, 54, 54) in 2007, 240(133, 42, 65) in 2010. We measured the rate of use of inappropriate prophylactic antibiotics, administration within 1 hour prior to the incision and the antibiotics prescription days after surgery. To evaluate the effectiveness of the management system, the results of the two groups(Group1=2007, Group2=2010) were compared by t-test, chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Result : The rate of Aminoglycoside uses decreased drastically from 11.4% to 0.8%(P<.001). The selection of 3rd/4th Cephalosporin dropped from 11.8% to 5.8%(P=.020). The combination of antibiotics decreased from 27.8% to 11.7%(P<.001). The antibiotic prescription rate on discharge declined from 11.8% to 2.5%(P<.001) and the number of antibiotics prescription days after surgery was shortened from 4.2 days to 2.3 days(P<.001). No significant difference in the rate of administration within 1 hour between two groups was found. Through 3-year management, 5 out of 6 measures were significantly improved(except the administration within 1 hour). The rate of surgical site infection decreased from 2.4% to 1.3%(P=.504). Conclusion : The findings demonstrate that the management system for the prophylactic use of antibiotics in surgical patients was effective in decreasing the rate of surgical site infection during 3 years.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.375-380
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• 2017

Background: The objective of this study were to determine the antibacterial activity and antibiotic activity-enhancing effect of 70% ethanol extract of the root of Rumex japonicus Houtt. and its fractions when used in combination with gentamicin against aerobic skin flora. Methods and Results: The antibacterial activity and antibiotic (gentamicin) activity enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora were determined using the disc diffusion assay. Chloroform fraction (CF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EF) showed higher activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than those shown by other fractions. Regarding the antibiotic (gentamicin) activity-enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora, the n-hexane fraction (HF) and CF showed strong activity. The combination of HF and CF with gentamicin was evaluated using the broth dilution assay to determine the inhibitory effect on the growth of aerobic skin flora. The combination of CF with gentamicin exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus and S. epdermidis. MTT assay performed to determine the viability of L929 cells revealed that EF treatment resulted in viability of 33.96 - 116.76% at the tested concentration. The combination of 70% ethanol extract and its other fractions with gentamicin showed low cell toxicity. Conclusions: Appropriate use of antimicrobial agents is important prior to the development of new antibiotics. The 70% ethanol extract of the root of R. japonicus Houtt. and its fractions showed significant synergism with gentamicin when used in combination against S. aureus and S. epdermidis. Thus, R. japonicus Houtt. could be used as a functional materials in antimicrobial-related fields.

• Korean Journal of Geomatics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2002

The information system fields of spatial applications have rapidly grown during the last decade in Korea. Spatial data has been produced for a variety of systems without common standards until national GIS Committee defined the data exchange formats among spatial databases in the middle of 1990's. It aimed at promoting data sharing between the different systems in similar application fields. However, a considerable number of databases built prior to the introduction of the standards are not yet standard compliant but still play the roles of the main producers/consumers in the data collection field such as early developed huge AM/FM systems maintained by governmental organizations. The strong autonomy of these databases keeps their own data models, formats and descriptions from being standardized, which leads the sharing to a more difficult stage. Sharing is another way of data acquisition with least efforts and time away from direct collection. A data clearinghouse is the core module which directs users to the relevant data resources. The contents of datasets should be described with predefined metadata standards for precise indexing. Moreover, a number of technical problems have to be resolved for the common use of data between heterogeneous spatial database systems. However, the technical issues can be covered by the present information technologies. The difficulties persist in the political/institutional issues. Institutional issues are derived from the diverse sources such as political background, governmental policies, related laws and/or regulations. The paper will firstly make an analysis of current situation in terms of Korean policies, laws and regulations, secondly abstract the institutional issues from the situation analysis, lastly present guidelines for promoting spatial data sharing in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2003

Background and Objectives: Oro-and pharyngocutaneous fistula after irradiation can lead to extensive wound necrosis and fetal complication such as carotid rutpure. So, there is a need to clean and cover the wound rapidly in these compromised patients. Pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap has been presented for reconstruction of complex defects in these irradiated patients. We applied the double paddle PMMC flap for the simultaneous reconstruction of above complex defects and evaluated the it's clinical efficacy. Material and Methods: Retrospective chart review of three cases of simultaneous head and neck reconstruction after irradiation with double paddle PMMC. All patients received prior radiotherpy before development of complications. The double paddle PMMC flap was used for mucosal lining of the oral cavity and epithelial lining of external skin in 2 cases, for mucosal lining of the pharynx and epithelial lining of external skin in 1 case. Results: Considerable complications such as major flap necrosis or fistula did not occur in any of the cases, and simultaneous reconstruction was achieved in all cases without reoperations. Conclusion: Many extended defects such as oro-and pharyngocutaneous fistula involving cover and lining about the head and neck after irradiation can be rehabilitated by the double paddle pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2781-2785
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• 2016

Background: Matric metalloproteinase (MMP) 13 gene expression is increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and associated with increasing tumor invasion, lymph node involvement and decreased survival rates. Levels of the circulating enzyme may be elevated and used as a marker of tumor progression. In this study, clinical application of MMP-13 serum levels was evaluated for early detection, prediction of prognosis and survival time of ESCC patients. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of MMP13 were determined by ELISA in 66 ESCC patients prior of any treatment and 54 healthy controls for comparison with clinicopathological data through statistical analysis with Man Whitney U and Log-Rank tests. In addition, clinical value of MMP13 levels for diagnosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test. Results: The serum level of MMP-13 in patients (>250 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in the control group (<100 pg/ml) (p value=0.004). Also the results showed a significant correlation between MMP-13 serum levels with tumor stage (p value = 0.003), depth of tumor invasion (p value=0.008), involvement of lymph nodes (p value = 0.011), tumor size (p value = 0.018) and survival time. While there were no significant correlation with grade and location of tumors. ROC analysis showed that MMP-13 level is an accurate diagnostic marker especially to differentiate pre-invasive/ invasive lesions from normal controls (sensitivity and specificity: 100%). Conclusions: These findings indicate a potential clinical significance of serum MMP13 measurement for early detection and prognostic assessment in ESCC patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2909-2916
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• 2016

Background: Canine malignant lymphoma is classified into B- or T-cell origin, as in the human case. Due to differences in prognosis, a suitable method needs to be developed for lineage identification. Aims: To determine the accuracy of immunophenotypic and molecular information between three methods: immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and heteroduplex polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangements (hPARR) in spontaneous canine lymphomas. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood, fine needle aspiration and tissue biopsies from enlarged peripheral lymph nodes prior to treatment of 28 multicentric lymphoma patients were collected. Cytopathology and histopathology were examined and classified using the updated Kiel and WHO classifications, respectively. Anti-Pax5 and anti-CD3 antibodies as B- and T-cell markers were applied for immunophenotyping by ICC and IHC. Neoplastic lymphocytes from lymph node and white blood cell pellets from peripheral blood were evaluated by hPARR. Results: In this study, low grade B-cell lymphoma accounted for 25% (7/28), high grade B-cell lymphoma for 64.3% (18/28) and high grade T-cell lymphoma for 10.7% (3/28). According to the WHO classification, 50% of all cases were classified as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In addition, ICC showed concordant results with IHC; all B-cell lymphomas showed Pax5+/CD3, and all T-cell lymphomas exhibited Pax5-/CD3+. In contrast to hPARR, 12 B-cell lymphomas featured the IgH gene; seven presented the $TCR{\gamma}$ gene; five cases showed both IgH and $TCR{\gamma}$ genes, and one case were indeterminate. Three T-cell lymphomas showed the $TCR{\gamma}$ gene. The percentage agreement between hPARR and ICC/IHC was 60%. Conclusions: Immunophenotyping should not rely on a single method. ICC or IHC with hPARR should be used concurrently for immunophenotypic diagnosis in canine lymphomas.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2013

Background: For reconstruction of the mild to moderate medial orbital wall fractures, various surgical approaches have been used. Prior existing W-shaped incision was a direct local approach through a 3 cm incision on the superior medial orbital area with a titanium mesh implant. In this study, the authors modified W-shaped incision and reconstructed the defect with silastic sheet to improve the result and the postoperative scar. Methods: This study included 20 patients who had mild to moderate size of medial wall defect and therefore relatively suitable for reconstruction with silastic sheets from July, 2009 to December, 2011. A modified W-shaped skin incision approximately 1.2 to 1.5 cm in length was made along the superior medial orbital rim from approximately 1 cm medial to the medial canthus to the lower border of the medial eyebrow. The angles of the limbs of the W ranged from 150 to 160 degrees. Results: By using soft flexible silastic sheet, the authors reduced the incision from 3 to 1.5 cm, and by widening the angle of the W limbs, scars were more effectively hided in the relaxed skin tension line. Scar assessment was done with modified patient and observer scar assessment scale and mean score from patients was 2.08 and mean score from observers was 2.12. Conclusion: Although this method will not be suitable for every case, it can be a consistent method to obtain the surgical goal in treatment of mild to moderate blowout fractures of the medial orbital wall.

• Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.455-461
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• 2018

Background: Surgical-site, multimodal drug injection has recently evolved to be a safe and useful method for multimodal pain management even in patients with musculoskeletal trauma. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients who underwent plating for mid-shaft and distal clavicular fractures were included in the study. To evaluate whether surgical-site injections (SIs) have pain management benefits, the patients were divided into two groups (SI and no-SI groups). The injection was administered between the deep and superficial tissues prior to wound closure. The mixture of anesthetics consisted of epinephrine hydrochloride (HCL), morphine sulfate, ropivacaine HCL, and normal saline. The visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were measured at 6-hour intervals until postoperative hour (POH) 72; stress biomarkers (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA-S], insulin, and fibrinogen) were measured preoperatively and at POH 24, 48, and 72. In patients who wanted further pain control or had a VAS pain score of 7 points until POH 72, 75 mg of intravenous tramadol was administered, and the intravenous tramadol requirements were also recorded. Other medications were not used for pain management. Results: The SI group showed significantly lower VAS pain scores until POH 24, except for POH 18. Tramadol requirement was significantly lower in the SI group until POH 24, except for POH 12 and 18. The mean DHEA-S level significantly decreased in the no-SI group ($74.2{\pm}47.0{\mu}g/dL$) at POH 72 compared to that in the SI group ($110.1{\pm}87.1{\mu}g/dL$; p = 0.046). There was no significant difference in the insulin and fibrinogen levels between the groups. The correlation values between all the biomarkers and VAS pain scores were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: After internal fixation of the clavicular fracture, the surgical-site, multimodal drug injection effectively relieved pain on the day of the surgery without any complications. Therefore, we believe that SI is a safe and effective method for pain management after internal fixation of a clavicular fracture.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.43
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• pp.239.1-239.12
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• 2018

Background: We described a novel multi-step retinal fundus image reading system for providing high-quality large data for machine learning algorithms, and assessed the grader variability in the large-scale dataset generated with this system. Methods: A 5-step retinal fundus image reading tool was developed that rates image quality, presence of abnormality, findings with location information, diagnoses, and clinical significance. Each image was evaluated by 3 different graders. Agreements among graders for each decision were evaluated. Results: The 234,242 readings of 79,458 images were collected from 55 licensed ophthalmologists during 6 months. The 34,364 images were graded as abnormal by at-least one rater. Of these, all three raters agreed in 46.6% in abnormality, while 69.9% of the images were rated as abnormal by two or more raters. Agreement rate of at-least two raters on a certain finding was 26.7%-65.2%, and complete agreement rate of all-three raters was 5.7%-43.3%. As for diagnoses, agreement of at-least two raters was 35.6%-65.6%, and complete agreement rate was 11.0%-40.0%. Agreement of findings and diagnoses were higher when restricted to images with prior complete agreement on abnormality. Retinal/glaucoma specialists showed higher agreements on findings and diagnoses of their corresponding subspecialties. Conclusion: This novel reading tool for retinal fundus images generated a large-scale dataset with high level of information, which can be utilized in future development of machine learning-based algorithms for automated identification of abnormal conditions and clinical decision supporting system. These results emphasize the importance of addressing grader variability in algorithm developments.