• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.585-590
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• 2024

In this study, rail surface defects are increasing due to the aging of urban railway rails, but in the detailed guidelines for track performance evaluation established by the country, rail surface damage is inspected with the naked eye of engineers and simple measuring tools. With the recent enactment of the Track Diagnosis Act, a large budget has been invested and the volume of rail diagnosis is rapidly increasing, but it is difficult to secure the reliability of diagnosis results using labor-intensive visual inspection techniques. It is very important to discover defects in the rail surface through periodic track tours and visual inspection. However, evaluating the severity of defects on the rail surface based on the subjective judgment of the inspector has significant limitations in predicting damage inside the rail. In this study, the rail internal crack characteristics due to rail surface damage were studied. In field measurements, rail surface damage locations were selected, samples of various damage types were collected, and the rail surface damage status was evaluated. In indoor testing, we intend to analyze the correlation between rail surface defects and internal defects using a electron scanning microscope (SEM). To determine the crack growth rate of urban railway rails currently in use, the Gaussian probability density function was applied and analyzed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2023

Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1) is a metabolic disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) gene, which impairs the function of the FAH enzyme, resulting in the accumulation of tyrosine's toxic metabolites in hepatocytes and renal tubular cells. As a consequence, individuals with HT-1 exhibit symptomatic manifestations. Rapid diagnosis and treatment of HT-1 can prevent short-term death and long-term complications. A 15-day-old boy presented to the outpatient department with elevated levels of tyrosine on his newborn screening tests conducted at the age of 3 and 10 days, respectively. Further blood tests revealed increased levels of alpha-fetoprotein and amino acids including tyrosine and threonine. Urine organic acid tests indicated a significant elevation in tyrosine metabolites, as well as the presence of succinylacetone (SA), which led to the diagnosis of HT-1. Two pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants of FAH compatible with HT-1 were also detected. He began a tyrosine-restricted diet at one month old and received nitisinone (NTBC) at two months old. With continued treatment, the patient's initially elevated AFP level, detection of SA in the urine, and mild hepatomegaly showed improvement. During four years and seven months of treatment, there were no exceptional complications apart from an increase in tyrosine levels and a delay in speech. We report a case of tyrosinemia type 1 detected through newborn screening, treated with dietary restriction and NTBC, with a good prognosis.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.134-143
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is classified as the advanced stage (BCLC stage C) with extremely poor prognosis, and in current guidelines is recommended for systemic therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes and long-term prognosis after hepatic resection (HR) for patients who have HCC combined with PVTT. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 332 patients who underwent HR for HCC with PVTT at ten tertiary referral hospitals in South Korea. Results: The median overall and recurrence-free survival after HR were 32.4 and 8.6 months, while the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 75%, 48%, and 39%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor number, tumor size, AFP, PIVKA-II, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade were significant prognostic factors. The risk scoring was developed using these seven factors-tumor, inflammation and hepatic function (TIF), to predict patient prognosis. The prognosis of the patients was well stratified according to the scores (log-rank test, p < 0.001). Conclusions: HR for patients who have HCC combined with PVTT provided favorable survival outcomes. The risk scoring was useful in predicting prognosis, and determining the appropriate treatment strategy for those patients who have HCC with PVTT.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.920-929
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• 2024

As a pivotal defensive line against multitudinous malignant tumors, natural killer (NK) cells exist in the tumor microenvironment (TME). RAD18 E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase (RAD18) has been reported to foster the malignant progression of multiple cancers, but its effect on NK function has not been mined. Here, the study was designed to mine the mechanism by which RAD18 regulates the killing effect of NK cells on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Expression of E2F Transcription Factor 7 (E2F7) and RAD18 in CRC tissues, their correlation, binding sites, and RAD18 enrichment pathway were analyzed by bioinformatics. Expression of E2F7 and RAD18 in cells was assayed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Dual-luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay verified the regulatory relationship between E2F7 and RAD18. CCK-8 assay was utilized to assay cell viability, colony formation assay to detect cell proliferation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test to assay NK cell cytotoxicity, ELISA to assay levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and immunofluorescence to detect expression of toxic molecules perforin and granzyme B. High expression of RAD18 and E2F7 was found in CRC tissues and cells. Silencing RAD18 could hamper the proliferation of CRC cells, foster viability and cytotoxicity of NK cells, and increase the secretion of GM-CSF, TNF-α, IFN-γ as well as the expression of perforin and granzyme B. Additionally, ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assay ascertained the binding relationship between RAD18 promoter region and E2F7. E2F7 could activate the transcription of RAD18, and silencing RAD18 reversed the inhibitory effect of E2F7 overexpression on NK cell killing. This work clarified the inhibitory effect of the E2F7/RAD18 axis on NK cell killing in CRC, and proffered a new direction for immunotherapy of CRC in targeted immune microenvironment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.146-153
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• 1997

Background : Chronic cough is commomly defined as a persistent or recurrent cough exceeding 3 week's duration. The prevalence of chroinc cough is reported to range from 14% to 23 % for nonsmoking adults. The post nasal drip syndrome has been determined to be the most common cause of chronic cough, followed by asthma, chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux and bronchiectasis. Cough can be the only manifestation of asthma. Bronchial provocation tests are useful in diagnosing cough variant asthma. We investigated the clinical or laboratory findings and the incidence of airway hyperresponsiveness and evaluated the etiology in patients with chronic cough. Method : We evaluated 46 patients with chronic cough. Methacholine challenge test were done. Results : The results were as follows : 1) Thirty - five percent(16/46) of the chronic cough patients and 44% of the post nasal drip syndrom(7/16) showed the positive responses to methacholine challenge test 2) The underlying causes of chronic cough were post nasal drip syndrome in 35%, bronchitis in 21.7%, cough-variant asthma in 17.4%, and unknown condition in 25.9%. 3) Airway hyperresponsiveness in chronic cough was not related to respiratory symptom, nasal symptom, post nasal drip, smoking, derangement of ventilatory function, atopy, or sinusitis. Conclusion : Airway hyperresponsivenss in patients with chronic cough increased in frequency when compaired with normal control, allergic rhinitis. Cough-variant asthma account for 17.4% of patients with chronic cough.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.600-610
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• 2004

Background : The plasma B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) concentration increases with the degree of pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic respiratory disease. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic role of BNP in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Method : We selected 67 patients who were admitted our hospital because of an acute exacerbation of COPD. Their BNP levels were checked on admission at the Emergency Department. Their medical records were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to their in-hospital mortality. The patients' medical history, comobidity, exacerbation type, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function, APACHE II severity score and plasma BNP level were compared. Results : Multiple logistic regression analysis identified three independent predictors of mortality: $FEV_1$, APACHE II score and plasma BNP level. The decedents group showed a lower $FEV_1$($28{\pm}7$ vs. $37{\pm}15%$, p=0.005), a higher APACHE II score($22.4{\pm}6.1$ vs. $15.8{\pm}4.7$, p=0.000) and a higher BNP level ($201{\pm}116$ vs. $77{\pm}80pg/mL$, p=0.000) than the sSurvivors group. When the BNP cut-off level was set to 88pg/mL using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 75% in differentiating between the survivors and decedents. On Fisher's exact test, the odds ratio for mortality was 21.2 (95% CI 2.49 to 180.4) in the patients with a BNP level > 88pg/mL. Conclusion : The plasma BNP level might be a predictor of mortality in an acute exacerbation of COPD as well as the $FEV_1$ and APACHE II score.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to provide improvements and standards of trial lens, in a situation that there is a lack of standards of trial lens set that have been used for self-conscious refraction test after helm refraction test at about 5,000 opticians, ophthalmologic clinics and hospitals, and contact-lens shops, that there is a lot of discrepancies between refraction specified and the actual power, and that there is no regulation of optical tolerance error. For the study, opticians who have used Trial lens set were asked to participate in a questionnaire survey through continuing education, and divided into those who have used domestic lens and those who have used imported lens, 5 opticians each for less than 5 years, 5 to 10 years, more than 10 years. The measurement of both refraction specified and the actual diopter was compared to Japan Industrial Standards(JIS T4402). As a result of comparative analysis, more than 80% of respondents have had reliability on the refraction of trial lens they had used, indicating that they have never measured the refraction specified and the actual diopter after buying them. Besides, Korean Industrial Standards(KS P4402) has been imperfect in diopter range since it was legislated in 1979. More than 95% of respondents have been unsatisfied with optometry. Also, it has indicated that refraction error is more frequent in long-term-used trial lens. The conclusion is that it is necessary to standardize trial lens set and that it is required to add lens to lens set provided under KS P4402. Moreover, it is necessary to have supervisory agency for a standardization of trial lens. I hope that both domestic lens and imported lens, as in German and Japan, will be tested to find whether they meet optical tolerance error and standard trial lens will be distributed. Good optic inspection is required for the improvement and management of eye health and optical function, and the same standard trial lens set should be used. whoever is tested. Also, I hope that trial lens set will be specified within standards and tolerance error.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.372-389
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• 1995

The frequency with which administration of chemotherapy for gynecological cancer treatment is used has increased along with the use of surgery and radiotherapy Among the various side effects of chemotherapy, stomatitis causes a problem of function and sensation in the oral cavity. This oral discomfort can be categorized into two components ; perceived oral symptoms and observed oral symptoms. If the oral problem continues, it may cause infection, bleeding and nutritional deficiencies. As a result of this condition, compliance with the treatment process can be affected as well as the prognosis for the cancer patients. But as the oral discorrfort usually appears after chemotherapy, it is often not reported to the health care personnel as a patient problem. Without problem identification of the oral discomfort and ability to assess the problem, effective intervention cannot be planned. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the pattern and the degree of oral discomfort due to cancer chemotherapy and thus to provide data for identification of the patient problem and for nursing assessment. The design of this study was a longitudinal de-scriptive study The subjects were in - patients who received chemotherapy under the diagnosis of gynecological cancer between Mar. 15, 1994 and May 15, 1994 at a general hospital in Seoul, Korea. The number of subjects was 64 and they were divided into two groups, one of 41 (A : 5FU & Neoplatin), the other of 23(B : Neoplatin, Cytoxan, Adriamycin), according to the treatment regimen. The data were collected for 24 days using self-re-port instruments. The instruments were the 「Perceived Oral Symptom Assessment Tool」 and 「Observed Oral Symptom Assessment Tool」 developed by this researcher. Data were analyzed using the SPSS-PC program, ANOVA, t-test, paired t-test and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient were applied. The results of this study are as follows : 1. In A regimen the peak time for perceived oral symptom scores was the fifth day after chemotherapy, and the tenth day for observed oral symptom scores. Both of the problems started on first day of chemotherapy and were not resolved completely until the 24th day after treatment. 2. In B regimen, the peak time for perceived oral symptom scores was on the seventh day after chemotherapy, and the eighth day for observed oral symptom scores. It was noted that perceived oral symptom scores were higher than observed oral symptom scores consistently for 24 days. Both also started on first day of chemotherapy, and were not resolved completely until the 24th day after chemotherapy. 3. There were no differences statistically in perceived oral symptom scores between A and B regimen. The loss of appetite and xerostomia caused the most severe discomfort in both of these two groups. 4. The were no differences statistically in observed oral symptom scores between the A and B regi moil. In the A regimen, the highest observed symptom scores were the lips, gingiva, tongue and buccal membrane in that order. But in the B regimen, the highest observed symptom scores were tongue, lips, buccal membrane and gingiva in that order. 5. In A regimen, the patients who had gingival edema and dentures had significantly higher perceived oral symptom scores. And those who had gingival edema and bleeding, foul odor and aphthous stomatitis had significantly higher observed oral symptom scores. 6. In B regimen, the patients who had the experience of stomatitis in the last course of chemotherapy had significantly higher perceived oral symptom scores. Those who had gingival edema had significantly higher observed oral symptom scores. 7. In the A regimen there was no correlation between lab values for lymphocytes and albumin with perceived oral symptom scores and observed oral symptom scores. In the B regimen, there was a significant negative correlation between lymphocytes and albumin with the observed oral symptom scores, but not between perceived oral symptom scores and lymphocytes and albumin values. In conclusion, the nurse should expect that the patient undergoing chemotherapy will complain severely about subjective discomfort and before objective physical change is observed. Also the patients who have chronic oral problems such as dentures, gingival edema and bleeding, foul odor, aphthous stomatitis will complain of severe oral discomfort due to chemotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.227-248
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• 1990

The study was conceived in relation to a concern over the growing gap between the needs of chronic patients and the availability of care from the current health care system in Korea. Patients with agonizing chronic pain, discomfort, despair and disability are left with helplessly unprepared families with little help from the acute care oriented health care system after discharge from hospital. There is a great need for the development of an alternative means of quality care that is economically feasible and culturally adaptible to our society. Thus, the study was designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of home heath care as an alternative to bridge the existing gap between the patients' needs and the current practice of health care. The study specifically purports to test the effects of home care on health expenditure, readmission, job retention, compliance to health care regime, general conditions, complications, and self-care knowledge and practices. The study was guided by the operations research method advocated by the Primary Health Care Operations Research Institute(PRICOR) which constitutes 3 stages of research : namely, problem analysis solution development, and solution validation. The first step in the operations research was field preparation to develop the necessary consensus and cooperation. This was done through the formation of a consulting body at the hospital and a steering committee among the researchers. For the stage of problem analysis, the Annual Report of Seoul National University Hospital and the patients records for last 5 years were reviewed and selective patient interviews were conducted to find out the magnitude of chronic health problems and areas of unmect health care needs to finally decide on the kinds of health problems to study. On the basis of problem analysis, the solution development stage was devoted to home care program development asa solution alternative. Assessment tools, teaching guidelines and care protocols were developed and tested for their validity. The final stage was the stage of experimentation and evaluation. Patients with liver diseases, hemiplegic and diabetic conditions were selected as study samples. Discharge evaluation, follow up home care, measurement and evaluation were carried out according to the protocols of care and measurement plan for each patient for the period of 6 months after discharge. The study was carried out for the period from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 1989. The following are the results of the study presented according to the hypotheses set forth for the study ; 1. Total expenditures for the period of study were not reduced for the experimental group, however, since the cost per hospital visit is about 4 times as great as the cost per home visit, the effect of cost saving by home care will become a reality as home care replaces part of the hospital visits. 2. The effect on the rate of readmission and job retention was found to be statistically nonsignificant though the number of readmission was less among the experimental group receiving home care. 3. The effect on compliance to the health care regime was found to be statistically significant at the 5% level for hepatopathic and diabetic patients. 4. Education on diet, rest and excise, and medication through home care had an effect on improved liver function test scores, prevention of complications and self - care knowledge in hepatopathic patients at a statistically significant level. 5. In hemiplegic patient, home care had an effect on increased grasping power at a significant level. However. there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the level of compliane, prevention of complications or in self-care practices. 6. In diabetic patients, there was no difference between the experimental and control groups in scores of laboratory tests, appearance of complications, and self-care knowledge or self -care practices. The above findings indicate that a home care program instituted for such short term as 6 months period could not totally demonstrate its effectiveness at a statistically significant level by quantitative analysis however, what was shown in part in this analysis, and in the continuous consultation sought by those who had been in the experimental group, is that home health care has a great potential in retarding or preventing pathological progress, facilitating rehabilitative and productive life, and improving quality of life by adding comfort, confidence and strength to patients and their families. For the further studies of this kind with chronic patients it is recommended that a sample of newly diagnosed patients be followed up for a longer period of time with more frequent observations to demonstrate a more dear- cut picture of the effectiveness of home care.

• Archives of design research
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• v.19 no.1 s.63
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• pp.293-302
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• 2006

clay cups with handles made in studios in Korea and the United States were selected and analyzed. The shape of cup were fixed to ensure proper comparison between handle size of the cup and position. The variable factors were the thickness of the handle, the number of fingers required to hold the cup, the relationship between the handle's shape and the position of its attachment to the cup, the effect of the handle's setter, the change in shape of the handle's thickness, and the relationship between the cup's weight center and handle. Preference test were designed and tested to the users, and the results were analyzed. The results showed that to make a comfortable handle, it is important to incorporate the shape of the resting hand in the design of the handle. Specifically, the design should be such that the cup can be held comfortably. This is possible if the weight of the cup is spread evenly when several fingers are inside the handle's curve and if such factors as the hand size, the curve of the fingers, and the position that best controls the cup's weight center are carefully considered. At this time, if there is a setter for the thumb, a cup of the same weight can be lifted more lightly. In the design of such a cup, the oval line is drawn by extending the cup's handle toward the direction of the cup's body. If the cup's weight center is located on the oval line, the cup's handle may be said to be effective. In such a case, the nearer the handle is to the cup's body weight center, the less power is needed to lift the cup efficiently. Our test results can be applied as a powerful tools in design and manufacturing cups with handle in terms of artistry and functionality.