• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 2016

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are oocyte-specific growth factors that regulate many critical processes involved in early folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation. In this study, effects of GDF9 and BMP15 treatment during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes upon development after parthenogenetic activation were investigated. Neither GDF, BMP15 alone nor in combination affects the number and viability of cumulus cells or the rates of oocyte maturation and blastocyst development. However, the treatment of GDF9 on porcine oocytes increased the number of trophectodermal (TE) cells of blastocysts derived from activated oocytes (P<0.05). The treatment of BMP15 increased the cell numbers of both inner cell mass (ICM) and TE cells (P<0.05). The treatment with the combination of GDF9 and BMP15 further increased the numbers of ICM and TE cells, compared with GDF9 or BMP15 treatment alone (P<0.05). In conclusion, the treatment of GDF9 or BMP15 (or both) enhanced the quality of blastocysts via the increased number of ICM and/or TE cells.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.1439-1441
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• 2003

The World Health Organisation has identified ‘Fluorosis’as a serious bone disease caused by groundwater. Though the fluoride content in groundwater is a natural phenomenon, when the permissible limit of fluoride is exceeded the consequences may be fatal. This study is identified areas of high fluoride content in the Dharmapuri district of India, which is one of the major districts severely affected by fluorosis (WHO). The approach to this problem is by using GIS as a tool to locate areas of high risk. Ground Water samples collected from 35 randomly located wells (open / bore wells) in the district were analysed for fluoride content. The results were compared with the standards of WHO (World Health Organisation ), ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research ), BIS (Bureau of Indian Standard) and PHE (Public Health Engineering) and interpolated using IDW and spline methods using Arcview GIS 3.2 a. A computer based automated information system was developed in Arcview Avenue 3.2a, so as to enable the user to visit the risk areas at his desktop and to remediate measures as and when required.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2020

Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is a rare renal tubular disorder characterized by normal anion gap metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, and high urine pH. It can be inherited or acquired. In untreated pediatric patients with dRTA, rickets and growth retardation are common. We report the case of a 12-year-old Lao girl who presented with typical clinical features of dRTA with severe bone deformities that developed after a bed-ridden state due to a bicycle accident at the age of 8 years. Initial laboratory tests revealed metabolic acidosis with a normal anion gap, hypokalemia, and alkali urine. Renal ultrasonography revealed bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis. Whole exome sequencing revealed no pathogenic mutations. After treatment with oral alkali, potassium, and vitamin D, she could walk and run. Later, she underwent corrective orthopedic surgeries for bony deformities. Thus, in pediatric dRTA patients, despite severe symptoms remaining untreated, accurate diagnosis and proper management can improve quality of life.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.209-212
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• 2019

Purpose: Fossa navicularis is a bone defect in the clivus. Familiarity with this anatomical variant is important because it is close to vital anatomical structures in the base of the skull. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and morphometric properties of fossa navicularis within the clivus in a Turkish subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A total of 168 CBCT scans (female: 96, male: 71) were evaluated. High-quality CBCT images of patients without a syndromic condition or a history of neurological disease or surgery were included in the study. The prevalence, depth, length, and width of the fossa navicularis were performed. Results: The prevalence of fossa navicularis was 27.5% (n=46 patients). Sex was not associated with the depth, length, or width of the fossa navicularis (P>0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between age and length of the fossa navicularis(P>0.05). Conclusion: Fossa navicularis was found to be rare (27.5%). Anatomical variants of the skull base can also be clearly identified on CBCT images. The results of this study may be useful to radiologists, anatomists, and surgeons interested in the skull base.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.338-346
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• 2019

In this report, we describe the successful use of alternate rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions with a hybrid hyrax-mandibular miniplate combination and simultaneous orthodontic treatment for the management of severe Class III malocclusion due to maxillary hypoplasia in an 11-year-old girl. The devices were removed after 20 months of treatment, and the family was instructed about a careful control and retention program that should be followed in accordance with the patient's growth. The final result included the correction of Class III malocclusion with adequate function and excellent facial esthetics, which restored the patient's self-esteem and provided personal motivation. The outcomes showed good stability after 24 months of retention. The decrease in the duration of active treatment is the most important finding from the present case. Considering that facial esthetics in adolescence is a determining factor for the development of a personality and interpersonal relationships, we recommend the use of this protocol for growing patients, who will exhibit not only an improved physical appearance but also a better quality of life.

• Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.491-499
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• 2018

Background: Advances in surgical techniques, implant technology, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have increased the recovery chances of patients with bone sarcomas. Accordingly, patients' expectations on life quality have also increased, highlighting the importance of objective evaluation of the functional results of reconstruction. Methods: Thirteen patients with distal femoral endoprosthesis, who had been followed for an average of 2.9 years were evaluated. Postural stability, daily energy expenditure, muscle power, and range of motion were the four parameters analyzed in this study. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) were used to assess postoperative function and examine correlations with other parameters. Results: Patients had sedentary activities in 84% of their daily lives. They exhibited a slower speed in the walk across test and a higher sway velocity in the sit-to-stand test (p = 0.005). MSTS scores were significantly correlated with the daily energy expenditure and walking speed. Conclusions: Objective functional results acquired from various clinics will provide significant data to compare reconstruction techniques, rehabilitation protocols, and surgical techniques. In this way, it will be possible to satisfy the expectations of patients that increase in relation to enhanced recovery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.610-617
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• 2019

Objective : This study aimed to assess the surgical results of the intradural transpetrosectomy for petrous apex meningiomas (PAMs). In addition, we describe the methods and techniques used to expose and manage superior petrous vein and greater superficial petrosal nerve. Methods : The authors conducted a retrospective study of 16 patients with PAMs operated by the senior author via the intradural transpetrosectomy between February 2012 to May 2017. We reviewed patient data regarding the general characteristics, surgical technique and surgery-related outcomes and adopted a combined follow-up strategy of clinic and telephone contacts to evaluate postoperative complications. Results : Simpson grade I and II resection was performed in 10 out of 16 cases (62.5%), and grade III resection were reported in the remaining six cases (37.5%) with no resultant mortality. The mean Karnofsky Performance Status score was 85.6 preoperatively and improved to 91.9 postoperatively, with a mean follow-up period of 34.4 months (range, 6-66 months). Tumor recurrence was found in two patients and they underwent the second surgical operation. Conclusion : PAMs could be completely resected by the intradural transpetrosectomy with an improved survival rate and postoperative life quality. Superior petrous vein and greater superficial petrosal nerve should be managed properly in avoidance of postoperative complications. Finally, most meningioma inside cavernous sinus or adhered to brainstem could be totally removed without postoperative complications.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.82-83
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• 2021

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with a characteristic chromosomal translocation (bcr-abl) called Philadelphia chromosome which plays a key role in the pathogenesis. Approximately 85% of patients with CML are in the chronic phase at the time of diagnosis. During this phase, patients are well tolerated and have few symptoms. But untreated, over the course of several years progresses to an accelerated phase and ultimately to a blast crisis, the terminal phase. CML is largely treated with targeted drug therapy called tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) which have led to dramatically improved long-term survival rates since 2001. These drugs became standard treatment of this disease and allow most patients to have much better quality of life when compared to the former chemotherapy drugs and the bone marrow transplantation. Imatinib (Gleevec or Glivec, Norvatis) was the first of these TKIs and found to inhibit the progression of CML in the majority of patients (65%-75%) sufficiently to achieve remission. Since the advent of imatinib, CML has become the first neoplasm in which a medical treatment can give to the patient a normal life expectancy.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2854-2863
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• 2023

Objective: To present a hybrid approach that incorporates a constrained beam-hardening estimator (CBHE) and deep learning (DL)-based post-refinement for metal artifact reduction in dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: Constrained beam-hardening estimator (CBHE) is derived from a polychromatic X-ray attenuation model with respect to X-ray transmission length, which calculates associated parameters numerically. Deep-learning-based post-refinement with an artifact disentanglement network (ADN) is performed to mitigate the remaining dark shading regions around a metal. Artifact disentanglement network (ADN) supports an unsupervised learning approach, in which no paired CBCT images are required. The network consists of an encoder that separates artifacts and content and a decoder for the content. Additionally, ADN with data normalization replaces metal regions with values from bone or soft tissue regions. Finally, the metal regions obtained from the CBHE are blended into reconstructed images. The proposed approach is systematically assessed using a dental phantom with two types of metal objects for qualitative and quantitative comparisons. Results: The proposed hybrid scheme provides improved image quality in areas surrounding the metal while preserving native structures. Conclusion: This study may significantly improve the detection of areas of interest in many dentomaxillofacial applications.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.11-14
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• 2023

The primary treatment of oral cavity cancer is still surgery. By discussing the surgical treatment of oral cavity cancer, the basic concept of head and neck surgery could be thoroughly reviewed. The oral cavity is defined as the hard palate and the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. With appropriate reconstruction, most defects can be repaired without a significant change in quality of life, unlike in the oropharynx or hypopharynx, where aspiration problems frequently occur. The selection of a surgical approach that can provide an appropriate field of view to obtain a resection margin of 5 mm or more has become the core of head and neck surgery. The role of prophylactic neck dissection is also well established in oral cavity cancer patients. Mandibulotomy for access to the oral cavity or mandibulectomy due to cancer invasion requires bony surgical techniques, and reconstruction also requires bone tissue reconstruction techniques as well as soft tissue. Therefore, oral cancer surgery is the most important primary area where all techniques of head and neck surgery are mobilized.