• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.73-81
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• 2013

Coda in the word-medial position plays an important role in acquisition of our speech. Accuracy of the coda in the word-medial position is important as a diagnostic indicator since it has a close relationship with degrees of disorder. Coda in the word-medial position only appears in condition of connecting two vowels and the sequence causes diverse phonological processes to happen. The coda in the word-medial position differs in production difficulty by the initial sound in the sequence. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the tendency of producing a coda in the word-medial position with consideration of an optional phonological process in spontaneous speech of three and four year old children. Data was collected from 24 children (four groups by age) without speech and language delay. The results of the study are as follows: 1) Sonorant coda in the word-medial position showed a high production frequency in manner of articulation, and alveolar in place of articulation. When the coda in the word-medial position is connected to an initial sound in the same place of articulation, it revealed a high frequency of production. 2) The coda in word-medial position followed by an initial alveolar stop revealed a high error rate. Error patterns showed regressive assimilation predominantly. 3) The order of difficulty that Children had producing codas in the word-medial position was $/k^{\neg}/$, $/p^{\neg}/$, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/ and /l/. Those results suggest that in targeting coda in the word-medial position for evaluation, we should consider optional phonological process as well as the following initial sound. Further studies would be necessary which codas in the word-medial position will be used for therapeutic purpose.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.12-18
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• 2014

Objectives: This was a retrospective case series about the clinical effect of integrated approach with behavior therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Medical records of twelve patients with OSA who were treated with behavior modification including nasal breathing with oral appliances and sleep in lateral position, oral administration of herbal medicines and acupuncture treatment between January and September of 2013 were reviewed. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), day time sleepiness, apneas and hypopneas counts during sleep, risk indicator (RI), oxygen desaturation index, average saturation during sleep, lowest desaturation, lowest saturation, snoring events ratio and number of desaturations (%) were assessed before and after treatments with the ApneaLink device, which is a portable diagnostic apparatus for monitoring airflows of the patient's breath at home. Results: After an average 62.67 (SD 37.16) days of treatment, AHI (from 17.67, 12.79 to 8.75, 8.25, p=0.007), RI (from 22.00, 13.26 to 12.09, 8.03, p=0.004), oxygen desaturation index (from 17.33, 12.17 to 8.17, 7.86, p=0.005), and number of desaturations (from 7.00 times, 9.79 to 0.92 times, 1.39, p=0.044) showed significant improvement. Daytime sleepiness improved from 6.5 (3.2) to 3.8 (1.8) but there was no significant difference after treatment (p=0.17). No adverse events related to treatment were observed during participation in the treatment. Conclusion: From this case series, we found that behavior modification with herbal medication and acupuncture may be effective for improving sleep apnea without serious adverse events. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample size will be necessary for concrete evidence on the benefit of this integrated treatment for OSA.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.55-60
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• 2014

In this study, we propose a cryptographic module quality evaluation system referenced by ISO/IEC 9000 quality system with Quality, Quality Factor, Quality Subfactor, Metric. Practical application process encryption algorithm based on the encryption algorithm to encrypt the pros and cons valuation of diagnosis, point selection algorithm, analysis, and quality items(quality factor), eliciting constraints derived, such as the cryptographic module design quality evaluation system is set to step 5. The five steps are examples of field-based diagnostic tool for cryptographic operations, the most essential work to be done in order to derive one will work. 2-Factor encryption module for connection between indicator items(quality factor) to identify and ensure the quality of the item the constraints of the environment are two kinds of cryptographic operations. This study is an encryption module and a practical field application system, it presents the standardized model. We have to meet the rapid changes in information technology. The environment, development and the encryption algorithm applied to model a wide variety of on-site development encryption will be able to expect the efficiency.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.302-308
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• 2013

Objective : MR perfusion and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) are well known imaging studies to evaluate hemodynamic change between prior to and following superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis in moyamoya disease. But their side effects and invasiveness make discomfort to patients. We evaluated the ivy sign on MR fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images in adult patients with moyamoya disease and compared it with result of SPECT and MR perfusion images. Methods : We enrolled twelve patients (thirteen cases) who were diagnosed with moyamoya disease and underwent STA-MCA anastomosis at our medical institution during a period ranging from September of 2010 to December of 2012. The presence of the ivy sign on MR FLAIR images was classified as Negative (0), Minimal (1), and Positive (2). Regions were classified into four territories: the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), the anterior MCA, the posterior MCA and the posterior cerebral artery. Results : Ivy signs on preoperative and postoperative MR FLAIR were improved (8 and 4 in the ACA regions, 13 and 4 in the anterior MCA regions and 19 and 9 in the posterior MCA regions). Like this result, the cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) on SPECT was significantly increased in the sum of CVR in same regions after STA-MCA anastomosis. Conclusion : After STA-MCA anastomosis, ivy signs were decreased in the cerebral hemisphere. As compared with conventional diagnostic modalities such as SPECT and MR perfusion images, the ivy sign on MR FLAIR is considered as a useful indicator in detecting brain hemodynamic changes between preoperatively and postoperatively in adult moyamoya patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5793-5798
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• 2014

Background: Golgi phosphoprotein-3 (GOLPH3) is implicated in cancer development and progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of GOLPH3 protein and its association with tumor angiogenesis in patients with early-stage NSCLC. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine GOLPH3 protein expression and allow assessment of intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) by counting CD-34 positive immunostained endothelial cells. Correlations of expression with MVD, clinicopathologic features and clinical prognosis were analyzed. Results: A notably higher level of GOLPH3 expression was found in early-stage NSCC tissues at the protein level. However, we do not find any correlation between GOLPH3 expression and clinicopathologic features (p>0.05), although higher MVD was positively associated with GOLPH3 overexpression (p<0.001). Expression of GOLPH3 was found to be an independent prognostic factor in early-stage NSCLC patients, those expressing high levels of GOLPH3 exhibiting a substantially lower 5-year overall survival than GOLPH3-negative patients (adjusted HR =1.899, 95% CI: 1.021-3.532, p=0.043). Conclusions: High expression of the GOLPH3 protein is common in early-stage NSCC, and is closely associated with tumor progression, increased tumor angiogenesis, and poor survival. We conclude a possibility of its use as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in early-stage NSCC patients.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

Hemoglobinopathy and malaria are commonly found worldwide particularly in malaria endemic areas. Thalassemia, the alteration of globin chain synthesis, has been reported to confer resistance against malaria. The prevalence of thalassemia was investigated in 101 malaria patients with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax along the Thai-Myanmar border to examine protective effect of thalassemia against severe malaria. Hemoglobin typing was performed using low pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC) and ${\alpha}$-thalassemia was confirmed by multiplex PCR. Five types of thalassemia were observed in malaria patients. The 2 major types of thalassemia were Hb E (18.8%) and ${\alpha}$-thalassemia-2 (11.9%). There was no association between thalassemia hemoglobinopathy and malaria parasitemia, an indicator of malaria disease severity. Thalassemia had no significant association with P. vivax infection, but the parasitemia in patients with coexistence of P. vivax and thalassemia was about 2-3 times lower than those with coexistence of P. falciparum and thalassemia and malaria without thalassemia. Furthermore, the parasitemia of P. vivax in patients with coexistence of Hb E showed lower value than coexistence with other types of thalassemia and malaria without coexistence. Parasitemia, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values in patients with coexistence of thalassemia other than Hb E were significantly lower than those without coexistence of thalassemia. Furthermore, parasitemia with coexistence of Hb E were 2 times lower than those with coexistence of thalassemia other than Hb E. In conclusion, the results may, at least in part, support the protective effect of thalassemia on the development of hyperparasitemia and severe anemia in malaria patients.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.81-85
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• 2000

Coxiella burnetii (C burnetii) is the causative agent of Q fever in animal and human. The distribution of the disease has been documented around world. In this study we developed the competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(cELISA) and compared it with indirect immunofluorescent assay(IFA). A monoclonal antibody(Mab) against C burnetii and a peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse IgM were used as an indicator system competing against antibody in animal serum or as an indicater of the absence of antibody. Sera were considered antibody positive when the percentage inhibition index(PI index) is upper than 30. PI index is calculated as 100-[sample OD/Mab OD)${\times}100$]. Among 162 bovine serum samples, 23 samples were antibody positive both in cELISA and IFA. And 156 samples showed same results. From goat with experimentally induced infection with C burnetii the antibody was detected 20 days early in cELISA compared to IFA. On the basis of present findings, it was demonstrated that cELISA is a reliable diagnostic method for The detection of specific antibodies against C burnetii infection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 1991

Residual significant tricuspid regurgitation after mitral valve operation may significantly increase postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, routine techniques to detect tricuspid regurgitation preoperatively and postoperatively are not accurate. Doppler echocardiography was performed preoperatively and postoperatively to assess its ability to evaluate and quantify the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. In 34 patients with tricuspid regurgitation secondary to mitral valvular disease the tricuspid regurgitations were semiquantified on a scale of 1 to 3+. The 34 patients were divided into two groups on the basis of severity of tricuspid regurgitation as assessed by preoperative Doppler echocardiography. Group I [8 patients] had mild[1+] regurgitation, and group II [26 patients] had moderate to severe[2 ~ 3%] tricuspid regurgitation. In all studied patients, preoperative Doppler echocardiographic studies for the degree of tricuspid regurgitation were correlated with clinical symptoms[including NYHA class] and hemodynamics[JVP and right ventricular systolic pressure], and used as the indicator to determine whether tricuspid annuloplasty should be performed or not. Patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation[group II ] had greater preoperative right ventricular systolic pressures and NYHA classes, although there was no correlation between them. The 8 patients with mild[1+] tricuspid regurgitation[group I ] didn`t undergo any procedure for the tricuspid regurgitation and their postoperative Doppler echocardiographic studies showed the less than mild[0 ~ 1+] tricuspid regurgitation, and the 26 patients with significant[>2+] tricuspid regurgitation, and the 26 patients with significant[>2+] tricuspid regurgitation[group II ] underwent tricuspid annuloplasty for the tricuspid regurgitation and the postoperative Doppler echocardiographic studies showed the findings similar to group I except 1 patient who underwent Carpentier`s ring annuloplasty and had severe right ventricular failure. Therefore, preoperative Doppler echocardiography can accurately assess the relative severity of tricuspid regurgitation. Importantly, postoperative Doppler echocardiography could conveniently determine the effect of tricuspid annuloplasty for the patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation. Doppler echocardiography may be an important diagnostic method both for evaluating the degree of residual tricuspid regurgitation after left heart operation as well as for determining which patients should undergo tricuspid valve repair.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.171-176
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• 1998

The objective of this study was to re-evaluate ultrasound attenuation as an indicator of bone properties. Ultrasound attenuation(BUA), were measured in the three orthogonal directions of trabecular bone cubes, Measurements of bone mineral density(BMD) were made using quantitative computed tomography and apparent density by weighing bone specimens and measuring their volume. Ultrasonic modulus was calculated from the standard equation with apparent density and ultrasound velocity. Ultrasound attenuation at a frequency of 0.5 MHz and BUA were correlated with BMD and ultrasonic modulus in the anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, and superior/inferior directions. Analysis of correlations demonstrated that attenuation at 0.5 MHz was superior to BUA in describing both BMD and elastic modulus of trabecular bone. This result may be used to improve current ultrasound diagnostic techniques for assessing bone status.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2004

Marginal Zn deficiency is prevalent through the world and yet human zinc status has not been properly assessed due to the lack of a reliable diagnostic indicator. One potential possibility for zinc status assessment using Zn-binding protein, metallothionein (MT)-mRNA, has been proposed. The purpose of the present study was aimed to show whether measurement of mononuclear cell (MNC) MT mRNA, using a competitive-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (competitive-RT-PCR) assay, could indicate zinc status in human subjects. In this study, MNC MT-mRNA expression was measured using a competitive-RT-PCR to compare before and after 14 days of zinc supplementation (50 mg Zn/das zinc gluconate). RT-PCR oligonucleotide primers which were designed to amplify both a 278 bp segment of the human MT-2A cDNA and a 198 bp mutant competitor cDNA template from MNCs, were prepared. MT-2A mRNA was normalized by reference to the housekeeping gene, $\beta$-actin, mRNA for which was also measured by competitive-RT-PCR. There was considerable inter-individual variation in MT-mRNA concentration and yet, the mean MT-2A mRNA level increased 4.7-fold after Zn supplementation, as compared to before Zn supplementation. This MT-2A mRNA level was shown as the same pattern and, even more sensitive assay, compared to the conventional plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) Zn assessment in which plasma and RBCs zinc levels increased 2.3- and 1.2-fold, respectively (p<0.05). We suggest that MT competitive-RT-PCR can be a useful assessment tool for evaluating human zinc status.