• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.351-359
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• 2019

Neurocognitive testing commonly uses the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) to evaluate the overall cognitive function of patients at outpatient clinics, but the MMSE has recently been extensively used in the SNSB II (Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery II) for making diagnoses. We retrospectively investigated the results of routine neurocognitive tests and the results of the blood tests of 120 elderly patients who had been referred to a South Central Medical Center from 2017 to 2018 and who had been examined at a public health center. These subjects' space-time capability was high on the sub-region of the global deterioration scale (GDS). GDS showed a significant increase as the Na decreased on the electrolyte analysis. The subjects' concentration, their language-based orientation for space and time, their memory, and their scores for the frontal lobe function on GDS showed statistically significant reductions (P<0.001) For the normal and abnormal groups according to the ALT and creatinine levels, the frontal/execute function areas showed statistically significant differences (P<0.001) as well as negative correlation between GDS and ALT (P<0.01). In conclusion, this study provides basic information to develop test items that are important for patient screening and diagnosis, and several routine blood chemistry factors provide basic information for diagnosing and assessing the status and progress of cognitively impaired patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.10
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• pp.504-510
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• 2021

Population screening of newborns is an extremely important and informative diagnostic approach that allows early identification of babies who are predisposed to the development of a number of serious diseases. Some of these diseases are known and have effective treatment methods. Neonatal screening enables the early diagnosis and subsequent timely initiation of therapy. This helps to prevent serious complications and reduce the percentage of disability and deaths among newborns and young children. Primary immunodeficiency diseases and primary immunodeficiency syndrome (PIDS) are a heterogeneous group of diseases and conditions based on impaired immune system function associated with developmental defects and characterized by various combinations of recurrent infections, development of autoimmune and lymphoproliferative syndromes (genetic defects in apoptosis, gene mutation Fas receptor or ligand), granulomatous process, and malignant neoplasms. Most of these diseases manifest in infancy and lead to serious illness, disability, and high mortality rates. Until recently, it was impossible to identify children with PIDS before the onset of the first clinical symptoms, which are usually accompanied by complications in the form of severe coinfections of a viral-bacterial-fungal etiology. Modern advances in medical laboratory technology have allowed the identification of children with severe PIDS, manifested by T- and/or B-cell lymphopenia and other disorders of the immune system. This review discusses the main existing strategies and directions used in PIDS screening programs for newborns, including approaches to screening based on excision of T-cell receptors and kappa-recombination excision circles, as well as the potential role and place of next-generation sequencing technology to increase the diagnostic accuracy of these diseases.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.19-45
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• 1997

This study was performed to evaluate the appropriateness of resource allocation based on the ranking of health center function. Through the Delphi processes, health center functions were ranked in order of importance as follows; planning and research, followed by health education, health promotion, management of chronic diseases, health screening tests, welfare activities, mental health services, medical personnel management, medical services, prevention of communicable diseases, maternal and infant health services, housekeeping, management of oral hygiene, nutrition services, surveillance for community health services, family planning, and administration of the health center. In relation to the above priorities, the allocation of manpower was not appropriate. Even though the expert groups emphasized on functions such as planning and research, health education, and health promotion, they inputted more personnel for administration of a health center, maternal and infant health services, and medical services which were evaluated with lower importance. The budget allocation showed the same trends as the above. Although the functions such as planning and research, health education, and health promotion, and management of chronic diseases were evaluated highly, the budget was allocated accordingo to the the results of the former fiscal year rather than on the importance of function. However the budget for nutrition services, surveillance for the community health services, family planning, and administration of a health center was allocated according to priority. Based upon the above findings, community health center should be given the opportunity to make their own ranking of health center function and to allocate their resources including personnel and budget in order to improve the responsibilities and roles of the community health center.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2018

Background: Eosinophilia is well recognized in specific conditions. The objective of the present study was to determine clinico-radiologic characteristics of eosinophilia and changes in prevalence over 10 years in recipients of private health screening program at a tertiary hospital in Korea. Methods: Data of private health screening program recipients at the health promotion center of Chung-Ang University Hospital from 2004 to 2013 were collected. Health-related questionnaires and laboratory findings of private health screening program with possible relation with eosinophilia were reviewed. Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for parasite, chest computed tomography, and pulmonary function test were also reviewed. Results: The cumulative prevalence of eosinophilia was 4.0% (1,963 of 48,928). Prevalence of eosinophilia showed a decreased trend from 2004 to 2013. Most cases (96.6%) had mild degree of eosinophilia. Eosinophilic subjects were older and male-predominant. They showed lower levels of forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1%$), forced vital capacity (FVC%), and $FEV_1/FVC$ than those without eosinophilia. Eosinophilic subjects showed higher positive rate for common parasite in ELISA than those without eosinophilia. On radiologic findings, consolidation and ground glass opacities were positively associated with the degree of eosinophilia. When eosinophil was classified based on severity, statistically significant correlation between the severity of eosinophil and radiologic abnormalities was found. Conclusion: Eosinophilia is uncommon in healthy population. It usually occurs at a mild degree. Eosinophilic patients have more radiologic abnormalities compared to those without eosinophilia. Such radiologic abnormalities are associated with the severity of eosinophilia.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.79-88
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• 2023

Objective : This study was to apply a cognitive rehabilitation group program based on sensory activity in patients with dementia living in a facility and to check its effectiveness on cognitive function, depression, and quality of life (QOL). Methods : Sensory-based cognitive rehabilitation group programs (20 sessions) were conducted for eight elderly with dementia over the age of 65 living in a nursing facility located in H-gun, Gangwon-do. The participants' cognitive function, depression level, and QOL were evaluated before and after the program. Results : The mean of Mini-Mental State Examination-Dementia Screening increased; however, there was no statistically significant difference. In contrast, the mean post-test score of the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire decreased, and there was a statistically significant difference (p < .05). The mean post-evaluation score of Short Geriatric Depression Scale measured to confirm the decrease in depression compared to the pre-evaluation score, but there was no statistically significant difference. Finally, the mean post-evaluation score of the World Health Organization QOL assessment instrument-Brief confirmed the change in the QOL, and there was a statistically significant difference (p < .001). Conclusion : This study will provide the basis for suggesting the usefulness of developing a sensory activity-based cognitive rehabilitation group program for dementia patients living in facilities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.10003-10008
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• 2014

Background: Cervical cancer has been a leading female cancer in Thailand for decades, and has been second to breast cancer after 2007. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has provided opportunistic screening with Pap smears for more than 30 years. In 2002, the MoPH and the National Health Security Office provided countrywide systematic screening of cervical cancer to all Thai women aged 35-60 years under universal health care coverage insurance scheme at 5-year intervals. Objectives: This study characterized the cervical cancer incidence trends in Songkhla in southern Thailand using joinpoint and age period cohort (APC) analysis to observe the effect of cervical cancer screening activities in the past decades, and to project cervical cancer rates in the province, to 2030. Materials and Methods: Invasive and in situ cervical cancer cases were extracted from the Songkhla Cancer Registry from 1990 through 2010. Age standardized incidence rates were estimated. Trends in incidences were evaluated by joinpoint and APC regression models. The Norpred package was modified for R and was used to project the future trends to 2030 using the power of 5 function and cut trend method. Results: Cervical cancer incidence in Songkhla peaked around 1998-2000 and then dropped by -4.7% per year. APC analysis demonstrated that in situ tumors caused an increase in incidence in early ages, younger cohorts, and in later years of diagnosis. Conclusions: Both joinpoint and APC analysis give the same conclusion in continuation of a declining trend of cervical cancer to 2030 but with different rates and the predicted goal of ASR below 10 or even 5 per 100,000 women by 2030 would be achieved. Thus, maintenance and improvement of the screening program should be continued. Other population based cancer registries in Thailand should analyze their data to confirm the success of cervical cancer screening policy of Thailand.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of herbal medicine and other associated factors for abnormal liver function tests(especially total bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ${\gamma}$GT) levels in outpatients at an oriental medical clinic. Methods : A cross-sectional study based on clinical records was conducted on 504 patients at one Oriental medical clinic in Seoul, Korea. They were tested a liver function tests for screening and 497 patients ranging from the age of 4 to 74 were chosen for the study. Patients with basal liver disease or DM were excluded during the screening process. Patients were classified into case(abnormal) and control(normal) groups by normal liver function test references. Results and Conclusions : In this study, Significant correlations for abnormal total bilirubin levels was age, for abnormal AST was gender, for abnormal ALT were gender, smoking, marriage status, and job, for abnormal ${\gamma}$GT were age, gender, obesity, alcohol, smoking, marriage status, and job using the Chi-square test(p<0.05). There was no significant correlations for abnormal LFTs by using herbal medication history, and intake duration. After controlling other covariates, logistic regression analysis showed that the significant associated factors for abnormal total bilirubin levels were age(odds ratio[OR]=0.87, 95% confidence intervals [CI]=0.87-0.99). For abnormal AST levels was obesity(OR=2.45, CI=1.2-4.9), for abnormal ALT levels were age(OR=1.01, CI=0.99-1.03), male gender(OR=3.31, CI=1.62-6.76), and obesity(OR=3.71 CI=2.28-6.08). For abnormal ${\gamma}$GT levels were male gender(OR=4.83 CI=1.34-17.43), obesity(OR=3.29, CI=1.74-6.22), alcohol (OR=2.51, CI=1.19-5.28), and smoking(OR=2.29, CI=1.16-4.50). Herbal medication history was not as a risk factor for all abnormal liver function tests. Therefore, people who are male, obese, alcohol drinker and smoker will have higher liver function test levels. But intake of herbal medication or the duration of intake may not be the risk factor for abnormal liver function test results.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2023

Organoids derived from stem cells or organ-specific progenitors are self-organizable, self-renewable, and multicellular three-dimensional (3D) structures that can mimic the function and structure of the derived tissue. Due to such characteristics, organoids are attracting attention as an excellent ex vivo model for drug screening at the stage of drug development. In addition, since the applicability of organoids as therapeutics for tissue regeneration has been embossed, the development of various organoids-based regenerative medicine has been rapidly progressing, reaching the clinical trial stage. In this review, we give a general overview of organoids and describe current status and prospects of organoid-based regenerative medicine, focusing on organoid-based regenerative therapeutics currently under development including clinical trials.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2013

MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulations are associated with various types of human cancers, and miRNAs can function as tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Emerging evidence has shown that miRNA pathway is also altered during colorectal tumorigenesis. The detection of cancer-related miRNAs in stool samples may become useful diagnostic marker for colorectal cancer, because miRNAs in stool samples has high stability, and maintains a high portion of its original level. Recent studies reported that stool-based miRNAs can offer more sensitivity and specificity than currently used stool-based screening methods for CRC. In addition, unlike fecal occult blood test, sampling on consecutive dates and special dietary restrictions are not required. In this review, the authors discuss stool-based miRNA for the early diagnosis of CRC and perspectives on future application.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.434-437
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• 2005

During the screening for the inhibitors of cellulose biosynthesis as herbicides, we discovered a Streptomyces sp. A6497 with a selective antifungal activity against cellulose containing Phytophthora parasitica, but not against cellulose lacking Candida albicans. The inhibitor was isolated and identified, using a series of chromatographies. Based on structure analyses with UV spectrophotometry, mass and various NMR, the inhibitor was identified as sangivamycin. The compound exhibited strong antifungal activities against P. parasitica (MIC; 3.125 $\mu$g/ml). In particular, it showed strong herbicidal activities against various weeds in the greenhouse experiment. Taken together, these results suggest that sangivamycin is a useful lead compound for the development of new herbicides.