• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

The prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in healthy persons was estimated as about $10{\sim}25%$ and was up to 40% in patients with stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was considered to be the most sensitive method to detect PFO and was used as the gold standard. Transcranial doppler sonography (TCD) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) during a contrast (saline bubble) injection has recently been proposed as an alternative detecting method for PFO. In this study, we would like to know the difference between TCD value and TEE value in subjects with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. We performed TCD and TEE tests to detect PFO on 64 patients (30 women and 34 men, mean age was 59.4 years) with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. PFO prevalence through TCD was 45.3% (29 of 64 patients) and the prevalence through TEE was 34.4% (22 of 64 patients). There was no statistical significance between PFO test and TCD test (P=0.206). But TCD had a sensitivity of 90.9% (20 of 22 patients), specificity of 78.6% (33 of 42 patients), positive predictive value of 69.0% (20 of 29 patients), and negative predictive value of 94.3% (33 of 35 patients). We concluded that TCD was a highly sensitive method for detecting a right-left shunt. Therefore, the non-invasive TCD test is a method more effective than the anti-invasive TEE test in the cost and evaluation of the existence or nonexistence of right to left shunt in addition to the screening method of the cerebrovascular disorder. Considering these points, TCD test could be recommended for patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke as a useful and convenient method for screening of the existence or nonexistence of a right to left shunt caused by PFO.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2018

Purpose: To perform a comparative analysis of the palatal bone thickness in Thai patients exhibiting class I malocclusion according to whether they exhibited a normal or open vertical skeletal configuration using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Thirty CBCT images of Thai orthodontic patients (15-30 years of age) exhibiting class I malocclusion with a normal or open vertical skeletal configuration were selected. Palatal bone thickness was measured in a 3.0-mm grid pattern on both the right and left sides. The palatal bone thickness of the normal-bite and open-bite groups was compared using the independent t-test. The level of significance was established at P<.05. Results: The palatal bone thickness in the normal-bite group ranged from $2.2{\pm}1.0mm$ to $12.6{\pm}4.1mm$. The palatal bone thickness in the open-bite group ranged from $1.9{\pm}1.1mm$ to $13.2{\pm}2.3mm$. The palatal bone thickness was lower at almost all sites in patients with open bite than in those with normal bite. Significant differences were found at almost all anteroposterior sites along the 3 most medial sections (3.0, 6.0, and 9.0 mm lateral to the midsagittal plane)(P<.05). Conclusion: Class I malocclusion with open vertical skeletal configuration may affect palatal bone thickness, so the placement of temporary anchorage devices or miniscrew implants in the palatal area in such patients should be performed with caution.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 2018

Background: Lower-limb varicose veins (VVs) are common and known to have a higher prevalence among people who work in occupations requiring prolonged standing. In the Republic of Korea, however, VV-related occupational factors have seldom been examined. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of VVs among nurses, an occupational group considered to be at high risk of VVs, and determine the occupational risk factors of prolonged standing. Methods: Between March and August 2014, a questionnaire survey coupled with Doppler ultrasonography was conducted on the nurses working at a university hospital. Results: A total of 414 nurses participated in the survey and diagnostic testing. From the survey analysis and test results, the prevalence of VVs in nurses was estimated to be 16.18%. Significant factors for venous reflux were age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.10], pregnancy (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.17-3.94), and delivery (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.08-3.78). The statistical significance of these factors was verified after risk adjustment for sociodemographic factors (OR = 3.40, 95% CI = 1.27-9.09). Conclusion: Factors significantly associated with venous reflux were increasing age and prolonged working hours (${\geq}4hours$) in a standing position (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.08-7.25), even after risk adjustment for sociodemographic factors. This study is significant in that an objective diagnosis of VVs preceded the analysis of the risk factors for VV incidence, thus verifying objectively that VVs are associated with occupations requiring prolonged hours of working in a standing position.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.262-268
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• 2014

Background: The development of diagnostic techniques and an awareness of health examinations can bring about an early diagnosis of lung cancer. However, appropriate postoperative management and adjuvant chemotherapy remain under debate in postoperative therapeutic strategy. The present study was conducted to assess the clinicopathologic factors that influence recurrence and prognosis after complete resection of lung cancer. Methods: The present study analyzed 62 patients with lung cancer who underwent complete resection of diagnosed adenocarcinoma between 1994 and 2007. In addition to conventional factors, which include staging factor and histological evaluation, the present study also performed univariate and multivariate analyses to consider claudin, a cell adhesion molecule, as a prognostic factor by immunohistochemical staining. Results: There was no correlation between conventional factors, including lymphatic and vascular invasion, and recurrence. However, there was a significant correlation between high expression of claudin 4 and cancer recurrence. In particular, there was a correlation between high expressions of claudin 1, 4, and 5 and a reduction of disease-free survival. Conclusion: Increased expressions of claudin 4 were negative prognostic factors in adenocarcinoma of the lung and thus could be used to identify high-risk patients for adjuvant chemotherapy, even if they had early-stage lung cancer. The present findings collectively suggest that consideration of claudin as a prognostic factor in the active postoperative treatment in patients at high risk will lead to better therapeutic outcomes with fewer side effects.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.410-413
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• 2007

A four-year old, female Miniature Pinscher was presented with intermittent coughing. Thoracic radiography and ultrasonography revealed the consolidation of left cranial lung lobe surrounded by pleural effusion and the extraction of left lung lobe was performed through thoracotomy. This case has the clinical significance because lung lobe torsion was diagnosed by non-cardiac ultrasonographic examination, therefore surgical correction was performed without delay and led good outcome. Moreover, the authors believe the present case was the first report on lung lobe torsion in Miniature Pinscher dog.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.362-413
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine the recent clinical research trends on the efficiency of traditional herb medicine (THM) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to provide clinical evidence of herbal medicine, Banhasasin-tang or Banxiexin decoction by using a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials (RCTs). Methods: In this study, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included that verified effects of traditional herbal medicine (THM), including a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction, as a treatment for GERD. A study of the literature in Chinese and Korean databases was performed for papers published from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2020. The selected literature was assessed by Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB). Results: A total of 90 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Except for four RCT studies, all studies identified the effect of a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction in the treatment of GERD. The effectiveness of treatment was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group, as shown through various evaluation indicators, including the reflux disease diagnostic questionnaire (RDQ). Adverse effects were reported in 22 articles (24.44%). Conclusions: Treatment with Banhasasin-tang, or a Banxia-xiexin-tang decoction, was found to be effective in treating GERD. However, due to the low quality of available studies, the significance of this conclusion is somewhat limited. This study could serve as a foundation for further clinical studies on the development of diagnosis and treatment methods for GERD based on Korean medicine.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2010

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) enables the genome-wide detection of submicroscopic chromosomal imbalances with greater precision and accuracy. In most other countries, CMA is now a commonly used clinical diagnostic test, replacing conventional cytogenetics or targeted detection such as FISH or PCR-based methods. Recently, some consensus statements have proposed utilization of CMA as a first-line test in patients with multiple congenital anomalies not specific to a well-delineated genetic syndrome, developmental delay/intellectual disability, or autism spectrum disorders. CMA can be used as an adjunct to conventional cytogenetics to identify chromosomal abnormalities observed in G-banding analysis in constitutional or acquired cases, leading to a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of chromosomal aberrations. Although CMA has distinct advantages, there are several limitations, including its inability to detect balanced chromosomal rearrangements and low-level mosaicism, its interpretation of copy number variants of uncertain clinical significance, and significantly higher costs. For these reasons, CMA is not currently a replacement for conventional cytogenetics in prenatal diagnosis. In clinical applications of CMA, knowledge and experience based on genetics and cytogenetics are required for data analysis and interpretation, and appropriate follow-up with genetic counseling is recommended.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 1982

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the clinical and diagnostic significance of incidental findings of renal and urinary tract abnormalities, and extraosseous uptake of bone scans. The authors analyzed bone scans using $^{99m}Tc-MDP$(methylene diphosphonate) in 1238 cases of bone disease from April, 1979 to March, 1981. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Total extraosseous abnormalities were 112 cases (9%), which include 64 cases (5%) of renal and urinary tract abnormalities and 48 case(4%) of other extraosseous uptakes. 2. Renal and urinary tract abnormalities were 32 cases(50%) of obstruction, 14 cases(22%) of nonvisualization, 6 cases of space occupying lesion in kidney, 8 cases of kidney displacement and 4 cases of urinary bladder deformities. 3. Other extraosseous uptakes were 16 cases (33%) of body fluid collection, 15 cases of tumor uptake, 9 cases of free pertechnetate uptake and 8 others.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 1977

To evaluate the diagnostic significance of the blood disappearance rate of $^{198}Au$-colloid and to evaluate the change of hepatic blood flow during position change from supine to erect, we measured the half time of blood disappearance rate of $^{198}Au$-colloid using external counting method in 94 normal persons and in 77 patients with various hepatic diseases. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In normal control, the mean blood disappearance half time of $^{198}Au$-colloid in supine position was $2.7{\pm}0.4$ minutes. There was no significant difference of hepatic blood flow in age and sex. 2. In acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis, the mean blood disappearance half times in supine position were $3.0{\pm}0.45,\;3.5{\pm}0.74,\;7.2{\pm}3.6$ minutes respectively. The hepatic blood flow of the patients with chronic hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis were significantly decreased than that of normal control. 3. In the normal control and acute hepatitis, the decreaces of the hepatic blood flow during the position change from supine to erect were 27.7% and 22.6% respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 1972

The author observed the thyroid $^{131}I$ uptake rate using an intradermal injection method. The amount of activity remaining at the site of intradermal injection of 0.1 ml. of $5{\mu}Ci.\;of\;^{131}I$ in physiologic saline was measured in 79 cases of hyperthyroidism and in 24 cases of hypothyroidism. The cases had been confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings, at the department of medicine, (radioisotope clinic) Pusan National University Hospital. Twenty-nine normal control cases were examined currently by the same technique during the period from Jan. 1967 to June 1970. The following results were obtained: 1. In the normal group, the ranges and mean values of the thyroid uptake 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 60 minutes after intradermal $^{131}I$ injection, were $0{\sim}10%(6.33{\pm}1.63),\;0{\sim}15%(7.83{\pm}2.12),\;0{\sim}15%(8.46{\pm}2.82),\;5.1{\sim}20%(9.66{\pm}2.27),\;5.1{\sim}25%(10.47{\pm}2.52),\;5.1{\sim}30%(13.03{\pm}4.42)$. 2. In the hyperthyroid group, the ranges and mean values of the thyroid uptake 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 60 minutes after intradermal $^{131}I$ injection were $5.1{\sim}45%(22.25{\pm}7.04),\;10.1{\sim}50%(28.32{\pm}6.67),\;15.1{\sim}55%(34.78{\pm}11.63),\;15.1{\sim}65%(37.95{\pm}7.72),\;20.1{\sim}65%(41.49{\pm}0.05)\;and\;20.18096(48.71{\pm}12.51)$. 3. In the hypothyroid group, he ranges of thyroid $^{131}I$ uptake by intradermal $^{131}I$ injection at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 60 minutes lay between 0 and 10%, and the the mean values were $4.23{\pm}1.76,\;5.08{\pm}1.68,\;5.56{\pm}1.70,\;6.02{\pm}1.75,\;6.37{\pm}1.91\;and\;6.95{\pm}2.07$. 4. In conclusion, thyroid function test using an intradermal injection method in cases of hyperthyroidism, showed characteristic values which seemed to be of diagnostic significance.