• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.294-299
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• 2022

Background: Medical therapy is the standard treatment for uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD), but there is little evidence of the need for intensive care unit (ICU) management. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of ICU treatment on uncomplicated ATBAD. Methods: We retrospectively studied patients with uncomplicated ATBAD who were medically treated between January 2010 and July 2020. Patients were divided into short-term ICU stay (SIS) and long-term ICU stay (LIS) groups, according to a 48-hour cutoff of ICU stay duration. The incidence of pneumonia and delirium, rate of aortic events, hospital mortality, and survival rate were compared. Results: Fifty-five patients were treated for uncomplicated ATBAD (n=29 for SIS and n=26 for LIS). The incidence of pneumonia (3.6% vs. 7.7%) and delirium (14.3% vs. 34.6%) was higher in the LIS group than in the SIS group, but the differences were not statistically significant. The survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were not different between the two groups (SIS: 96.4%, 92.2%, and 75.5% vs. LIS: 96.2%, 88.0%, and 54.2%, respectively; p=0.102). Multivariate Cox regression analysis for aortic events showed that using a calcium channel blocker lowered the risk of aortic events. Conclusion: Long-term ICU treatment is unlikely to be necessary for the treatment of uncomplicated ATBAD. Active use of antihypertensive agents, such as calcium channel blockers, may be needed during the follow-up period.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.117-122
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• 2023

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) that binds to the coreceptor CCR5 (R5 viruses) can evolve into viruses that bind to the coreceptor CXCR4 (X4 viruses), with high viral replication rates governing this coreceptor switch. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) treatment of HIV-1 infected patients has been found to slow the depletion of CD4+ T cells. This study assessed whether the KRG-associated slow depletion of CD4+ T cells was associated with coreceptor switching. Methods: This study included 146 HIV-1-infected patients naïve to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and seven patients receiving ART. A total of 540 blood samples were obtained from these patients over 122 ± 129 months. Their env genes were amplified by nested PCR or RT-PCR and subjected to direct sequencing. Tropism was determined with a 10% false positive rate (FPR) cutoff. Results: Of the 146 patients naïve to ART, 102 were KRG-naïve, and 44 had been treated with KRG. Evaluation of initial samples showed that coreceptor switch had occurred in 19 patients, later occurring in 38 additional patients. There was a significant correlation between the amount of KRG and FPR. Based on initial samples, the R5 maintenance period was extended 2.35-fold, with the coreceptor switch being delayed 2.42-fold in KRG-treated compared with KRG-naïve patients. The coreceptor switch occurred in 85% of a homogeneous cohort. The proportion of patients who maintained R5 for ≥10 years was significantly higher in long-term slow progressors than in typical progressors. Conclusion: KRG therapy extends R5 maintenance period by increasing FPR, thereby slowing the coreceptor switch.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권9호
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• pp.1579-1586
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• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the modified Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS), and compare it with the 2016 version of K-TIRADS using the Thyroid Imaging Network of Korea. Materials and Methods: Between June and September 2015, 5708 thyroid nodules (≥ 1.0 cm) from 5081 consecutive patients who had undergone thyroid ultrasonography at 26 institutions were retrospectively evaluated. We used a biopsy size threshold of 2 cm for K-TIRADS 3 and 1 cm for K-TIRADS 4 (modified K-TIRADS 1) or 1.5 cm for K-TIRADS 4 (modified K-TIRADS 3). The modified K-TIRADS 2 subcategorized the K-TIRADS 4 into 4A and 4B, and the cutoff sizes for the biopsies were defined as 1 cm for K-TIRADS 4B and 1.5 cm for K-TIRADS 4A. The diagnostic performance and the rate of unnecessary biopsies of the modified K-TIRADS for detecting malignancy were compared with those of the 2016 K-TIRAD, which were stratified by nodule size (with a threshold of 2 cm). Results: A total of 1111 malignant nodules and 4597 benign nodules were included. The sensitivity, specificity, and unnecessary biopsy rate of the benign nodules were 94.9%, 24.4%, and 60.9% for the 2016 K-TIRADS; 91.0%, 39.7%, and 48.6% for the modified K-TIRADS 1; 84.9%, 45.9%, and 43.5% for the modified K-TIRADS 2; and 76.1%, 50.2%, and 40.1% for the modified K-TIRADS 3. For small nodules (1-2 cm), the diagnostic sensitivity of the modified K-TIRADS decreased by 5.2-25.6% and the rate of unnecessary biopsies reduced by 19.2-32.8% compared with those of the 2016 K-TIRADS (p < 0.001). For large nodules (> 2 cm), the modified K-TIRADSs maintained a very high sensitivity for detecting malignancy (98%). Conclusion: The modified K-TIRADSs significantly reduced the rate of unnecessary biopsies for small (1-2 cm) nodules while maintaining a very high sensitivity for malignancy for large (> 2 cm) nodules.

• 한국조명전기설비학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국조명전기설비학회 2005년도 춘계학술대회논문집
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• pp.61-65
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• 2005

This paper describes the cut off time and the current characteristics of virgin RCDs and deteriorated ones in the seashore. The RCDs(Residual Current Protective Devices) are used for protecting the human body from electrical shock and for preventing facility accidents. According to the Korean standards, the RCDs are installed in panel boards. When RCDs are installed outside, they must be enclosed inside waterproof cases. In the case that RCDs are employed at temporary power sites and electrical facilities on the road they are exposed to the external environment. As a result, the RCDs deteriorated in the seashore for 3 months showed high failure rate, while the virgin RCDs all complied with Korean Standard. Considering that the RCDs are used under exposed condition outside, the reliance of RCDs must be ensured by modifying the related regulations and codes and by developing improved advanced in their performance.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.12-16
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• 2018

Purpose: To differentiate adenoviral pharyngoconjunctival fever (PCF) from acute Kawasaki disease (KD) using laboratory tests before results of virus-real time polymerase chain reaction and ophthalmologic examination are obtained. Methods: Baseline patient characteristics and laboratory measurements were compared between 40 patients with adenovirus infection and 123 patients with KD. Results: The patients with adenovirus infection were generally older than those with KD (median: 3.9 years vs. 2 years, P=0.000). White blood cell and, platelet count, and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels showed significant differences between the 2 groups, but the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels did not ($6.8{\pm}3.0mg/dL$ vs. $8.3{\pm}5.8mg/dL$, P=0.126). In the adenovirus infection group, the CRP levels were <1, <3, <10, and ${\geq}10mg/dL$ in 2 (5%), 3 (7.5%), 30 (75%), and 5 patients (12.5%), respectively. The cutoff NT-proBNP level was 265 pg/mL. Discrepancy was defined as CRP and NT-proBNP levels of ${\geq}3$ or <3 mg/dL, and <265 or ${\geq}265pg/mL$, respectively. Among the 35 patients with adenovirus infection whose CRP levels were ${\geq}3mg/dL$, 29 (82.9%) showed a discrepancy. Conversely, of the 103 patients with KD whose CRP levels were ${\geq}3mg/dL$, 83 (80.6%) showed no discrepancy. Between the groups, a significant difference in discrepancy rate was observed (P=0.000). None of the patients with adenovirus infection had CRP and NT-proBNP levels of <3 mg/dL and ${\geq}265pg/mL$, respectively. Conclusion: With a sensitivity of 82.9% and a specificity of 80.6%, CRP and NT-proBNP levels may differentiate between adenoviral PCF and acute KD.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.129-140
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• 2017

In this paper, a $4{\times}32$-channel neural recording system capable of acquiring neural signals is introduced. Four 32-channel neural recording ICs, complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), a micro controller unit (MCU) with USB interface, and a PC are used. Each neural recording IC, implemented in $0.18{\mu}m$ CMOS technology, includes 32 channels of analog front-ends (AFEs), a 32-to-1 analog multiplexer, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The mid-band gain of the AFE is adjustable in four steps, and have a tunable bandwidth. The AFE has a mid-band gain of 54.5 dB to 65.7 dB and a bandwidth of 35.3 Hz to 5.8 kHz. The high-pass cutoff frequency of the AFE varies from 18.6 Hz to 154.7 Hz. The input-referred noise (IRN) of the AFE is $10.2{\mu}V_{rms}$. A high-resolution, low-power ADC with a high conversion speed achieves a signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) of 50.63 dB and a spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 63.88 dB, at a sampling-rate of 2.5 MS/s. The effectiveness of our neural recording system is validated in in-vivo recording of the primary somatosensory cortex of a rat.

• 한국전자통신학회논문지
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• 제5권6호
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• pp.581-587
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• 2010

본 연구에서는 머리전달함수(Head-Related Transfer Function : HRTF) 저역 주파수 영역에서의 간략화가 음상정위에 미치는 영향에 관하여 검토하였다. 이를 위해 HRTF를 측정하였으며 측정한 HRTF에 대하여 분석한 결과, HRTF 주파수 특성의 표준편차를 보면, 저역의 주파수 특성은 고역에 비하여 방향 의존성이 작음이 나타났다. 이것은 저역의 주파수 영역에서 간략화의 가능성을 나타낸다. 간략화는 경계 주파수를 차단 주파수로 하는 고역통과 필터를 삽입하여 저역의 주파수 진폭특성을 평탄하게 함으로서 간략화를 하였다. 간략화를 한 HRTF를 평가하기 위하여 청취실험을 하였다. 청취실험의 결과, 정위오차에 대해서는 HRTF의 주파수 특성을 간략화 하여도 방향 지각에 영향이 없다는 것이 나타났다. 전후 혼란율에 대해서는 HRTF의 1kHz 이하의 주파수 특성을 간략화 하여도 영향이 없음이 나타났다. 최종적으로는 HRTF의 1kHz 이하의 주파수 특성에 본 연구의 간략화를 적용하여도 음상정위에 영향을 미치지 않는다는 것을 명확히 하였다. 본 연구는 음성이 가진 방향성 속성을 훼손하지 않으면서 음성정보의 크기를 줄이는 방법으로도 활용될 것으로 기대된다.

• 응용통계연구
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.571-580
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• 2008

로지스틱회귀분석은 고객관계관리나 신용위험관리 등의 분야에서 많이 사용되는 기법인데, 이러한 분야에서의 로지스틱회귀모형에는 연관성이 높은 설명변수들이 다수 포함되어 다중공선성의 문제를 유발하는 경우가 있다. 다중공선성이 존재하는 상황에서 최우추정량은 심각한 결함을 갖는다는 사실은 잘 알려졌다. 이 문제를 해결하기 위하여 로지스틱주성분회귀를 연구하되, 분석상의 주요 과정인 주성분 선정을 위한 방법을 새롭게 제안하였다. 추정량의 분산을 최소가 되게 하는 상태지수 값을 측정하고, 이 값에 영향을 미치는 주요 요인들을 컨조인트분석에 의해 파악하여 주성분 선정기준을 결정하는 모형을 구축하였다. 제안된 방법은 다중공선성 문제를 적절히 해결하면서도 모형의 적합성을 향상시킨다는 사실이 모의실험을 통하여 확인되었다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.183-189
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• 2015

Purpose: Catheter urine (CATH-U) and suprapubic aspiration (SPA) are reliable urine collection methods for confirming urinary tract infections (UTI) in infants. However, noninvasive and easily accessible collecting bag urine (CBU) is widely used, despite its high contamination rate. This study investigated the validity of CBU cultures for diagnosing UTIs, using CATH-U culture results as the gold standard. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 210 infants, 2- to 24-month-old, who presented to a tertiary care hospital's pediatrics department between September 2008 and August 2013. We reviewed the results of CBU and CATH-U cultures from the same infants. Results: CBU results, relative to CATH-U culture results (${\geq}10^4$ colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) were widely variable, ranging from no growth to ${\geq}10^5CFU/mL$. A CBU cutoff value of ${\geq}10^5CFU/mL$ resulted in false-positive and false-negative rates of 18% and 24%, respectively. The probability of a UTI increased when the CBU bacterial count was ${\geq}10^5/mL$ for all infants, both uncircumcised male infants and female infants (likelihood ratios [LRs], 4.16, 4.11, and 4.11, respectively). UTIs could not be excluded for female infants with a CBU bacterial density of $10^4-10^5$ (LR, 1.40). The LRs for predicting UTIs based on a positive dipstick test and a positive urinalysis were 4.19 and 3.11, respectively. Conclusion: The validity of obtaining urine sample from a sterile bag remains questionable. Inconclusive culture results from CBU should be confirmed with a more reliable method.

• 한국진공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국진공학회 2014년도 제46회 동계 정기학술대회 초록집
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• pp.218.1-218.1
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• 2014

In order to measure the absolute plasma density, various probes are proposed and investigated and microwave probes are widely used for its advantages (Insensitivity to thin non-conducting material deposited by processing plasmas, High reliability, Simple process for determination of plasma density, no complicate assumptions and so forth). There are representative microwave probes such as the cutoff probe, the hairpin probe, the impedance probe, the absorption probe and the plasma transmission probe. These probes utilize the microwave interactions with the plasma-sheath and inserted structure (probe), but frequency range used by each probe and specific mechanisms for determining the plasma density for each probe are different. In the recent studies, behaviors of each microwave probe with respect to the plasma parameters of the plasma density, the pressure (the collision frequency), and the sheath width is abundant and reasonably investigated, whereas relative diagnostic characteristics of the probes by a comparative study is insufficient in spite of importance for comprehensive applications of the probes. However, experimental comparative study suffers from spatially different plasma characteristics in the same discharge chamber, a low-reproducibility of ignited plasma for an uncertainty in external discharge parameters (the power, the pressure, the flow rate and so forth), impossibility of independently control of the density, the pressure, and the sheath width as well as expensive and complicate experimental setup. In this paper, various microwave probes are simulated by finite-different time-domain simulation and the error between the input plasma density in FDTD simulations and the measured that by the unique microwave spectrums of each probe is obtained under possible conditions of plasma density, pressure, and sheath width for general low-temperature plasmas. This result shows that the each probe has an optimum applicable plasma condition and reliability of plasma density measurement using the microwave probes can be improved by the complementary use of each probe.