• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2022

Objectives: Snake venom is a complex mixture of various pharmacologically active substances, such as small proteins, peptides, and organic and mineral components. This paper aims to identify and analyse the proteins in common venomous snakes, such as Gloydius blomhoffii (G. blomhoffii) and Agkistrodon acutus (A. acutus), in Korea. Methods: We used mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, N-terminal sequencing and in-gel digestion to analyse the proteins in these two snake venoms. Results: We identified eight proteins in G. blomhoffii venom and four proteins in A. acutus venom. The proteins detected in G. blomhoffii and A. acutus venoms were phospholipase A₂, snake venom metalloproteinase and cysteine-rich secretory protein. Snake C-type lectin (snaclec) was unique to A. acutus venom. Conclusion: These data will contribute to the current knowledge of proteins present in the venoms of viper snakes and provide useful information for investigating their therapeutic potential.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.10
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• pp.380-385
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• 2015

Purpose: Croup is a common pediatric respiratory illness with symptoms of varying severity. Moreover, epiglottitis is a rare disease that can rapidly progress to life-threatening airway obstruction. Although the clinical course and treatments differ between croup and epiglottitis, they are difficult to differentiate on presentation. We aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of croup and epiglottitis in Emergency Department patients. Methods: The 2012 National Emergency Department Information System database of 146 Korean Emergency Departments was used to investigate patients aged ${\leq}18years$ presenting with croup or epiglottitis. Results: We analyzed 19,374 croup patients and 236 epiglottitis patients. The male:female sex ratios were 1.9:1 and 2.3:1 and mean ages were $2.2{\pm}2.0$ and $5.6{\pm}5.8years$, respectively. The peak incidence of croup was observed in July and that of epiglottitis was observed in May. The hospitalization rate was lower in croup than in epiglottitis patients, and the proportion of patients treated in the intensive care unit was lower among croup patients. The 3 most common chief complaints in both croup and epiglottitis patients were cough, fever, and dyspnea. Epiglottitis patients experienced dyspnea, sore throat, and vomiting more often than croup patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: Both groups had similar sex ratios, arrival times, 3 most common chief complaints, and 5 most common comorbidities. Epiglottitis patients had a lower incidence rate, higher mean age of onset, and higher hospitalization rate and experienced dyspnea, sore throat, and vomiting more often than croup patients. Our results may help in the differential diagnosis of croup and epiglottitis.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.703-706
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• 2015

The interaction of plasma with liquid generates nitrogen species including nitrite (NO⁻₂). Therefore, the color developing capacity of plasma-treated water (PTW) as a nitrite source for meat curing was investigated in this study. PTW, which is generated by surface dielectric barrier discharge in air, and the increase of plasma treatment time resulted in increase of nitrite concentration in PTW. The PTW used in this study contains 46 ppm nitrite after plasma treatment for 30 min. To evaluate the effect of PTW on the cured meat color, meat batters were prepared under three different conditions (control, non-cured meat batter; PTW, meat batter cured with PTW; Sodium nitrite, meat batter cured with sodium nitrite). The meat batters were vacuum-packaged and cooked in a water-bath at 80℃ for 30 min. The typical color of cured meat developed in cooked meat batter treated with sodium nitrite or PTW. The lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values were similar in all conditions, whereas, the redness (a*) values of cooked meat batter with PTW and sodium nitrite (p<0.05) were significantly higher than the control. These data indicate that PTW can be used as a nitrite source in the curing process of meat without addition of other nitrite sources.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.479-484
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• 2017

In this study, antioxidative activities and cellular protective effects of 70% ethanol extracts and fractions from lavender were evaluated. The scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of free radical (1,1-phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) was 46.6, 45.5 and $477.5{\mu}g/mL$ in the 70% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction, respectively. The reactive oxygen species scavenging activities (${OSC_{50}$) of 70% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction were 8.1, 3.3 and $17.6{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, and they showed lower antioxidative activity than that of using L-ascorbic acid ($1.5{\mu}g/mL$). However, the aglycone fraction showed higher photohemolysis protective effect than that of using the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction. At $50{\mu}M$ concentration, the cellular protective effect (${\tau}_{50}$) of 70% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction from lavender was 70.6, 87.2 and 165.2 min, respectively. In particular, the lavender aglycone fraction showed 3.8 times higher cellular protective effect than that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol. The lavender fractional components including luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, vitextin, rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and apigenin were identified using TLC and LC-MS. However, the lavender aglycone fraction did not show any significant increase in flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin) compared to that of the ethyl acetate fraction. In conclusion, it is suggested that lavender may be applied as an antioxidant material in cosmetic industries.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.172-184
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• 2024

Purpose: The original eCura system was designed to stratify the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) after endoscopic resection (ER) in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). We assessed the effectiveness of a modified eCura system for reflecting the characteristics of undifferentiated-type (UD)-EGC. Materials and Methods: Six hundred thirty-four patients who underwent non-curative ER for UD-EGC and received either additional surgery (radical surgery group; n=270) or no further treatment (no additional treatment group; n=364) from 18 institutions between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively included in this study. The eCuraU system assigned 1 point each for tumors >20 mm in size, ulceration, positive vertical margin, and submucosal invasion <500 ㎛; 2 points for submucosal invasion ≥500 ㎛; and 3 points for lymphovascular invasion. Results: LNM rates in the radical surgery group were 1.1%, 5.4%, and 13.3% for the low-(0-1 point), intermediate- (2-3 points), and high-risk (4-8 points), respectively (P-fortrend<0.001). The eCuraU system showed a significantly higher probability of identifying patients with LNM as high-risk than the eCura system (66.7% vs. 22.2%; McNemar P<0.001). In the no additional treatment group, overall survival (93.4%, 87.2%, and 67.6% at 5 years) and cancer-specific survival (99.6%, 98.9%, and 92.9% at 5 years) differed significantly among the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories, respectively (both P<0.001). In the high-risk category, surgery outperformed no treatment in terms of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 3.26; P=0.015). Conclusions: The eCuraU system stratified the risk of LNM in patients with UD-EGC after ER. It is strongly recommended that high-risk patients undergo additional surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.344-349
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• 2018

Background: We report our surgical technique for nonintubated uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pulmonary resection and early postoperative outcomes at a single center. Methods: Between January and July 2017, 40 consecutive patients underwent nonintubated uniportal VATS pulmonary resection. Multilevel intercostal nerve block was performed using local anesthesia in all patients, and an intrathoracic vagal blockade was performed in 35 patients (87.5%). Results: Twenty-nine procedures (72.5%) were performed in patients with lung cancer (21 lobectomies, 6 segmentectomies, and 2 wedge resections), and 11 (27.5%) in patients with pulmonary metastases, benign lung disease, or pleural disease. The mean anesthesia time was 166.8 minutes, and the mean operative duration was 125.9 minutes. The mean postoperative chest tube duration was 3.2 days, and the mean hospital stay was 5.8 days. There were 3 conversions (7.5%) to intubation due to intraoperative hypoxemia and 1 conversion (2.5%) to multiportal VATS due to injury of the segmental artery. There were 7 complications (17.5%), including 3 cases of prolonged air leak, 2 cases of chylothorax, 1 case of pleural effusion, and 1 case of pneumonia. There was no in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Nonintubated uniportal VATS appears to be a feasible and valid surgical option, depending on the surgeon's experience, for appropriately selected patients.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.322-334
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify factors related to compliance with respiratory infection preventive behaviors including hand washing, cough etiquette, and oral hygiene of older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 100 older adults (mean age: $76.11{\pm}6.35$ years, female: 86.0%). Data were collected from a community senior center through face to face interviews by using instruments including measuring knowledge, perceived threat, self-efficacy, compliance with respiratory infection preventive behaviors. Results: The mean score of knowledge was 7.52 out of 13 in total. The compliance with hand washing with soap was 6.0% for 8 or more times per day. Among the participants, 12.0% adhered to the cough etiquette. Sixty-two older adults (62.0%) didn't use interdental brushes or floss at all. The stepwise linear regression indicated that age and self-efficacy for respiratory infection preventive behaviors were significant factors and explained 24.0% of the compliance with hand washing and the cough etiquette. Education level, cancer diagnosis, and self-efficacy for respiratory infection preventive behaviors were significant predictors of oral hygiene. The factor with the greatest effect was self-efficacy in the two models. Conclusion: The findings suggest that it is necessary to improve compliance with respiratory infection preventive behaviors among older adults using senior centers. In order to enhance the compliance, it is necessary to develop nursing programs based on the self-efficacy for respiratory infection preventive behaviors in the senior centers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2007

Objectives : The objectives of this study were to estimate the continuity of care for all Koreans with diabetes and to identify factors affecting the continuity of care. Methods : We obtained National Health Insurance claims data for patients with diabetes who visited health-care providers during the year 2004. A total of 1,498,327 patients were included as study subjects. Most Frequent Provider Continuity (MFPC) and Modified, Modified Continuity Index (MMCI) were used as indexes of continuity of care. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting continuity of care. Results : The average continuity of care in the entire population of 1,498,327 patients was $0.89{\pm}0.17$ as calculated by MFPC and $0.92{\pm}0.16$ by MMCI. In a multiple linear regression analysis, both MFPC and MMCI were lower for females than males, disabled than non-disabled, Medicaid beneficiaries than health insurance beneficiaries, patients with low monthly insurance contributions, patients in rural residential areas, and patients whose most frequently visited provider is the hospital. Conclusions : The continuity of care for patients with diabetes is high in Korea. However, women, the disabled and people of low socio-economic status have relatively low continuity of care. Therefore, our first priority is to promote a diabetes management program for these patients.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2013

The present study was conducted to investigate science and engineering graduate students' proficiency in technical English writing and their perceptions of research ethics. Given that graduate students in science and engineering colleges usually write journal articles as well as dissertations in English, this study examined their experience of and preparation for technical English writing, writing practices, and research ethics including plagiarism. The results of the study show that it is very necessary to intensify education on research ethics and to provide educational training in proper citation practices. These findings can be used as a basis for the development of future academic curricula and other support resources to improve science and engineering graduate students' technical English writing.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.140-150
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• 2007

A simple, label-free microfluidic cell purification method is presented for separation of cancer cells by exploiting difference in cell adhesion. To maximize the adhesion difference, three types of polymeric nanostructures (50nm pillars, 50nm perpendicular and 50nm parallel lines with respect to the direction of flow) were fabricated using UV-assisted capillary moulding and included inside a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel bonded onto glass substrate. The adhesion force of human breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) and human breast carcinoma (MCF7) was measured independently by injecting each cell line into the microfluidic device followed by culture for a period of time (e.g., one, two, and three hours). Then, the cells bound to the floor of a microfluidic channel were detached by increasing the flow rate of medium in a stepwise fashion. It was found that the adhesion force of MCF10A was always higher than that of MCF cells regardless of culture time and surface nanotopography at all flow rates, resulting in a label-free detection and separation of cancer cells. For the cell types used in our study, the optimum separation was found for 2 hours culture on 50nm parallel line pattern followed by flow-induced detachment at a flow rate of $300{\mu}l/min$.