• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.119-123
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• 2023

Although various imaging evaluation methods have been developed and utilized, thoracic radiography remains essential and is the top priority for diagnosing and managing cardiac diseases. Thoracic radiographic measurements associated with the vertebral heart scale (VHS) and caudal vena cava (CVC) can objectively diagnose cardiac disease in many animals. In particular, VHS measurement is primarily used to evaluate the dimensions of the heart size on thoracic radiographs and can measure cardiomegaly more objectively. Additionally, the value of the CVC compared with the aorta (Ao) and the length of vertebrae (VL) can be used as valuable parameters in right congestive heart failure. To describe the CVC/Ao and CVC/VL ratios in 10 long-tailed gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus) without subjective radiographic evidence of cardiac diseases. The VHS, CVC, Ao, and VL of gorals were measured in the right lateral (RL) view of the thoracic radiographs. In the RL view of 10 gorals, the VHS was 9.31 ± 0.55 vertebrae (v), the CVC/Ao ratio was 0.84 ± 0.13, and the CVC/VL ratio was 0.67 ± 0.09. Additionally, the thoracic morphology of gorals was determined to be intermediate (thoracic depth-to-width ratio, 1.04 ± 0.09, 0.75-1.25). This study confirmed that VHS was significantly correlated with CVC and Ao, and measuring and comparing each value would help diagnose cardiac diseases in gorals. The radiographic measurements in this study will allow veterinarians to diagnose several cardiac diseases in gorals.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2022

The current observational epidemiological study analyzed blood lead levels (BLLs) in occupationally exposed workers from Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia and correlated them with the alterations in the differential cell populations of the WBC panel (lymphocytes [Lym %], mixed [Mid %] cells, and neutrophils [Neu %]). In addition, we examined the effect of confounding factors and their relation to BLLs. BLLs were estimated using the LeadCare II analyzer and hematological parameters using the ADVIA 120 analyser. An inferential analysis was conducted to detect association between the observations and the subjects' clinical characateristics. A total of 132 male subjects were included in the final analyses. Based on CDC guidelines, the subjects were categorized as Group I (BLL <10 ㎍/dL; n=118) or Group II (BLL >10 ㎍/dL; n=14) with average BLLs of 4.4 ㎍/dL and 18.1 ㎍/dL, respectively (p <0.0001). The percentages of Mid cells (p <0.0001) and neutrophils (p=0.048), were significantly altered in subjects with High BLL. A regression analysis indicated that subjects > 50 years of age had significantly higher BLLs (53.2 ㎍/dL) than younger age sub-groups (p <0.0001). Age, education, and profession were significant predictors for lead toxicity. Pb exposure is a major public health issue in Saudi Arabia and calls for further investigations on the cellular and molecular effects on hematological system.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to analyze risk factors for positional vertigo (PV) and the influence thereof on daily life and subjective quality-of-life (QoL). Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data of the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study population consisted of 1,274 individuals aged >40 years for whom complete dizziness-related data were available. Blood and urine tests were performed, and nutritional intake, QoL, and subjective health status were measured using a questionnaire. The associations between PV and blood/urine test data and nutritional intake were evaluated via multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: A history of PV within the previous year was reported by 98 individuals (7.7%). Advanced age and female gender were both significantly associated with such a history. Serum hemoglobin, creatinine, and triglyceride levels correlated significantly with a history of PV. Carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin B2 intakes were significantly lower in individuals with PV. Multivariate analysis revealed that only age was significantly associated with a history of PV (p=0.003). Although subjective health status score was not significantly lower in subjects with PV, subjective impairments in mobility, self-care, the performance of usual activities, and anxiety/depression were more prominent in individuals with PV. A fall history and limitations of activity were also significantly higher in individuals with PV (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusions: Age was a risk factor for PV, which affected most QoL parameters, fall frequency, and the performance of normal activities.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to analyze risk factors for positional vertigo (PV) and the influence thereof on daily life and subjective quality-of-life (QoL). Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data of the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study population consisted of 1,274 individuals aged >40 years for whom complete dizziness-related data were available. Blood and urine tests were performed, and nutritional intake, QoL, and subjective health status were measured using a questionnaire. The associations between PV and blood/urine test data and nutritional intake were evaluated via multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: A history of PV within the previous year was reported by 98 individuals (7.7%). Advanced age and female gender were both significantly associated with such a history. Serum hemoglobin, creatinine, and triglyceride levels correlated significantly with a history of PV. Carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin B2 intakes were significantly lower in individuals with PV. Multivariate analysis revealed that only age was significantly associated with a history of PV (p=0.003). Although subjective health status score was not significantly lower in subjects with PV, subjective impairments in mobility, self-care, the performance of usual activities, and anxiety/depression were more prominent in individuals with PV. A fall history and limitations of activity were also significantly higher in individuals with PV (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusions: Age was a risk factor for PV, which affected most QoL parameters, fall frequency, and the performance of normal activities.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2017

Background: To evaluate whether DM affects the SUVmax of metastatic lesions on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and whether the SUVmax can influence the prognosis of metastatic PDAC patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 86 patients with metastatic PDAC who underwent PET/CT before treatment. The SUVmax of primary and metastatic lesions and the ratios of the SUVmax were measured. Long-term survival was evaluated using clinical parameters. Results: The mean SUVmax of primary lesion was lower in the DM group than in the non-DM group (4.74 vs. 5.96, p=0.009). The SUVmax for all metastatic lesions, except those in the lung, were lower in the DM group than in the non-DM group, and these differences were statistically significant in the lymph nodes and peritoneum. In the 35 patients with hepatic metastasis, higher ratios of the liver SUVmax significantly correlated with shorter OS (HR, 2.625; p=0.013). Conclusion: DM can influence the lower SUVmax of metastatic lesions as well as primary lesions. The SUVmax ratio of hepatic metastasis could influence on prognosis in metastatic PDAC patients.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.346-354
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• 2023

Purpose: Approximately 30% of children with chronic liver disease (CLD) are malnourished. However, proper assessment of their nutritional status is difficult. The subjective global nutritional assessment (SGNA) is a comprehensive approach that uses nutrition-focused history and examination, followed by grading of malnourishment. We aimed to study the prevalence of malnutrition in children with CLD using the SGNA tool. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included patients aged <18 years with CLD. Nutritional assessments were recorded using SGNA tool. Conventional anthropometric measurements were performed and corroborated with nutritional status using SGNA tool. Results: A total of 85 children with CLD and mean age of 62 months were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of malnourished children according to SGNA was 34%; 22% were moderately malnourished and 12% were severely malnourished. We found statistically significant differences in anthropometric parameters among the three groups. A moderate degree of agreement was found between SGNA and weight-for-age (W/A) (p=0.020), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) (p<0.001), and triceps skin-fold thickness (TSF)-for-age (p=0.029). Furthermore, a fair degree of agreement was found between height-for-age (H/A) (p=0.001) and weight-for-height (W/H) (p<0.001). The sensitivity of W/A for detecting malnutrition was 93%, H/A was 90%, MUAC was 86%, and TSF was 88%. The sensitivity was much lower for W/H and body mass index for age (55% for both). Conclusion: In our study, more than one-third of children with CLD were malnourished. Nutritional assessment using SGNA is a reliable method for evaluating nutritional status and is significantly correlated with common anthropometric measurements.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.369-376
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• 2023

This study focuses on investigating the influence of epoxy polymer crosslinking density, a crucial aspect in composite material matrices, on the yield surface using molecular dynamics simulations. Our approach involved generating epoxy models with diverse crosslinking densities and subjecting them to both uniaxial and multiaxial deformation simulations, accounting for the elasto-plastic deformation behaviors. Through this, we obtained key mechanical parameters including elastic modulus, yield point, and strain hardening coefficient, all correlated with crosslinking conversion ratios. A particularly noteworthy finding is the rapid expansion of the yield surface in the biaxial compression region with increasing crosslinking ratios, compared to the uniaxial tensile region. This unique behavior led to observable yield surface variations, indicating a significant pressure-dependent relationship of the yield surface considering plastic strain and crosslinking conversion ratio. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between crosslinking density and plastic mechanical response, especially in the aspect of multiaxial deformation behaviors.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.401-416
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• 2024

Long-span structures, such as bridges, can experience different seismic excitations at the supports due to spatially variability of ground motion. Regarding current bridge designing codes, it is just EC 2008 that suggested some regulations to consider it and in the other codes almost ignored while based on some previous studies it is found that the effect of mentioned issue could not be neglected. The current study aimed to perform a comprehensive study about the effect of spatially varying ground motions on the dynamic response of a reinforced concrete bridge under asynchronous input motions considering soil-structure interactions. The correlated ground motions were generated by an introduced method that contains all spatially varying components, and imposed on the supports of the finite element model under different load scenarios. Then the obtained results from uniform and non-uniform excitations were compared to each other. In addition, the effect of soil-structure interactions involved and the corresponding results compared to the previous results. Also, to better understand the seismic response of the bridge, the responses caused by pseudo-static components decompose from the total response. Finally, an incremental dynamic analysis was performed to survey the non-linear behavior of the bridge under assumed load scenarios. The outcomes revealed that the local site condition plays an important role and strongly amplifies the responses. Furthermore, it was found that a combination of wave-passage and strong incoherency severely affected the responses of the structure. Moreover, it has been found that the pseudo-static component's contribution increase with increasing incoherent parameters. In addition, regarding the soil condition was considered for the studied bridge, it was found that a combination of spatially varying ground motions and soil-structure interactions effects could make a very destructive scenarios like, pounding and unseating.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.408-429
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• 2024

The color, lipid oxidation, heme iron (HI) and non-heme iron (NHI) contents, metmyoglobin content and Soret band of myoglobin of ground pork subjected to supercritical CO₂ treatment under different conditions, or to heat treatment (40℃, 2 h) and subsequent storage at 4℃ were evaluated during 9-day period. Supercritical CO₂ treatment significantly increased CIE L^* and CIE b^* values of ground pork during subsequent storage, while the HI content was slightly affected. In general, CIE a^* value and metmyoglobin content were decreased. Supercritical CO₂ treatment for 2 h could increase the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) value, while treatment for 1 h or less had no effect. The NHI content could be increased only after treatment at above 40℃ or 17.2 MPa for 2 h. The Soret band of myoglobin was shifted to longer wavelength. Increasing treatment temperature from 35℃ to 45℃ could increase CIE L^*, CIE a^*, CIE b^* and TBARS values, HI and NHI contents of the ground pork, while decreasing metmyoglobin content. As the treatment pressure increased from 13.8 MPa to 20.7 MPa, CIE b^* and TBARS values were decreased, while the NHI and metmyoglobin contents were increased. However, the other parameters were unchanged. Extending exposure time from 0.5 h to 2 h could increase CIE L^*, CIE b^* and TBARS values, HI contents, while decreasing CIE a^* value and metmyoglobin content. Correlation analysis showed that the TBARS value was significantly and negatively correlated with the HI content or metmyoglobin content in samples treated at 40℃ or above for 2 h.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.33.1-33.19
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• 2020

We tested how adjuvants effect in a cancer vaccine model using an epitope derived from an autoactivation loop of membrane-type protease serine protease 14 (PRSS14; loop metavaccine) in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-polyoma middle tumor-antigen (PyMT) system and in 2 other orthotopic mouse systems. Earlier, we reported that loop metavaccine effectively prevented progression and metastasis regardless of adjuvant types and TH types of hosts in tail-vein injection systems. However, the loop metavaccine with Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) reduced cancer progression and metastasis while that with alum, to our surprise, were adversely affected in 3 tumor bearing mouse models. The amounts of loop peptide specific antibodies inversely correlated with tumor burden and metastasis, meanwhile both T_H1 and T_H2 isotypes were present regardless of host type and adjuvant. Tumor infiltrating myeloid cells such as eosinophil, monocyte, and neutrophil were asymmetrically distributed among 2 adjuvant groups with loop metavaccine. Systemic expression profiling using the lymph nodes of the differentially immunized MMTV-PyMT mouse revealed that adjuvant types, as well as loop metavaccine can change the immune signatures. Specifically, loop metavaccine itself induces T_H2 and T_H17 responses but reduces T_H1 and T_reg responses regardless of adjuvant type, whereas CFA but not alum increased follicular T_H response. Among the myeloid signatures, eosinophil was most distinct between CFA and alum. Survival analysis of breast cancer patients showed that eosinophil chemokines can be useful prognostic factors in PRSS14 positive patients. Based on these observations, we concluded that multiple immune parameters are to be considered when applying a vaccine strategy to cancer patients.