• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1327-1334
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• 2012

This study shows the conformance-based design results of a fourth-order dynamic actuator showing a performance variation caused by variation in the components as well as aero-induced disturbances. The actuator comprises a BLDC motor, spur gear and worm gear assembly, and canard. The actuator performance was evaluated by using time-variant angle information of the canard. Based on the response surface models, critical system variables were screened using F-tests, and then, the performance was approximated as a function of the variables because it is difficult to determine the performance of a high-order dynamic system as a function of system variables through analytical approaches. In this study, the conformance of uncertain performance to the specification was defined as a probability measure. The design variables obtained by optimizing the measure can provide actuator performance conforming to the specifications considered, even though there is a variation in both the components and the aero-induced disturbances.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2004

Liquid-Based Uterine Cervicovaginal Cytology is known to be a sensitive and effective screening method for cervical neoplasm $MonoPrep^{TM},\;ThinPrep^{TM},\;and\;SurePath^{TM}$ methods have been recently used as Liquid-Based Uterine Cervicovaginal Cytology techniques, and the $SurePath^{TM}$ method has been used in Sung-Yoon Reference Laboratory since 2003. The goal of Liquid-Based Uterine Cervicovaginal Cytology is to separate cervical epithelial cells from non-target cells, red blood cells and neutrophils. This report describes a study which evaluated cellularity, stainablilty, and cellular changes of epithelial cels in samples processed using a manual technique as compared to samples processed using $SurePath^{TM}$ automated method. The samples processed by means of a manual technique contained a cellularity of epithelial cells similar to that of the samples processed using the $SurePath^{TM}$ automated method. In addition, we compared variable density gradient reagents, including dextran, dextrose, and sucrose, to $SurePath^{TM}$ gradient media in order to evaluate cell fractionation and cellularity of epithelial cells. 10% dextran of gradient media shows good fractionation. The samples processed with 10% dextran demonstrated sufficient cellularity of epithelial cells and shows the fewest cellular changes. In conclusion, using a manual technique on these samples is easier to read than those results obtained using the $SurePath^{TM}$ automated method.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1495-1500
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• 2008

In an attempt to develop a probiotic formulation for poultry feed, a number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from chicken intestinal specimens and a series of in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate their efficacy as a potential probiotic candidate. A total of 650 LAB strains were isolated and screened for their antagonistic potential against each other. Among all the isolates only three isolates (TMU121, 094 and 457) demonstrated a wide spectrum of inhibition and were thus selected for detailed investigations. All three selected isolates were able to inhibit the growth of E. coli and Salmonella species, although to variable extent. The nature of the inhibitory substance produced by the isolates TMU121 and 094 appeared to be associated with bacteriocin, as their activity was completely lost after treatment with proteolytic enzymes, while pH neutralization and catalase enzyme had no effect on the residual activity. In contrast, isolate TMU457 was able to resist the effect of proteolytic enzymes while pH neutralization completely destroyed its activity. Attempts were made to study the acid, bile tolerance and cell surface hydrophobicity of these isolates. TMU121 showed high bile salt tolerance (0.3%) and high cell surface hydrophobicity compared to the other two strains studied, while TMU094 appeared the most pH resistant strain. Based on these results, the three selected LAB isolates were considered as potential ingredients for a chicken probiotic feed formulation and were identified to species level based on their carbohydrate fermentation pattern by using API 50CH test kits. The three strains were identified as Lactobacillus fermentum TMU121, Lactobacillus rhamnosus TMU094, and Pediococcus pentosaceous TMU457.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.347-352
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• 2020

Background: Low self-esteem can be an issue among health-care workers due to the hierarchical medical system. Health-care workers are also in a high pressure environment that can lead to stress and burnout. This study was conducted to estimate the proportion of health-care workers with low self-esteem, high stress, and burnout and the factors associated with these in a private hospital in Bangalore city. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a random sample of health-care workers of various cadres - doctors, nurses, nursing aides, technicians, and workers in ancillary departments such as laundry, dietary, central sterile supply department, and pharmacy, with probability proportional to size. Rosenberg Scale for Self-esteem, Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, and Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure were used as study tools. Results: Among the 306 health-care workers, there were high levels of low self-esteem (48.4%), stress (38.6%), and burnout (48.7%), with the lowest levels being among doctors. Those aged younger than 30 years had significantly lower self-esteem and greater stress. Conclusions: Health-care workers with low self-esteem were nearly thrice more likely to suffer high stress, Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.84 (1.36-5.92), and those who were stressed had more than three times higher chance of experiencing burnout, OR = 3.6 (2.02-6.55). Path analysis showed that low self-esteem among health-care workers had a direct effect on burnout, as well as an indirect effect through stress (mediator variable). This study indicates the need for screening and counseling for low self-esteem, stress, and burnout as part of a periodic medical examination of all cadres of health workers.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.301-304
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• 2008

Microsatellites, short tandem repeats, are useful markers for genetic analysis because of their high frequency of occurrence over the genome, high information content due to variable repeat lengths, and ease of typing. To establish a panel of microsatellite markers useful for genetic studies of the Korean population, the allele frequencies and heterozygosities of 207 microsatellite markers in 119 unrelated Korean, Indian and Pakistani individuals were compared. The average heterozygosity of the Korean population was 0.71, similar to that of the Indian and Pakistani populations. More than 80% of the markers showed heterozygosity of over 0.6 and were valuable as genetic markers for genome-wide screening for disease susceptibility loci in these populations. To identify the allelic distributions of the multilocus genetic data from these microsatellite markers, the population structures were assessed by clustering. These markers supported, with the most probability, three clustering groups corresponding to the three geographical populations. When we assumed only two hypothetical clusters (K), the Korean population was separate from the others, suggesting a relatively deep divergence of the Korean population. The present 207 microsatellite markers appear to reflect the historical and geographical origins of the different populations as well as displaying a similar degree of variation to that seen in previously published genetic data. Thus, these markers will be useful as a reference for human genetic studies on Asians.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6347-6352
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• 2015

Background: Breast malignancies are one of the leading causes of deaths in females worldwide. There are a number of risk factors associated with breast cancer but in Karachi Pakistan there are insufficient data available. Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted on females in age group between 30-80 years. This study was accomplished by retrospective data collection in Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 108 females with primary malignancy of breast were included along with 108 matched controls. Relationship of various factors with disease was studied using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. Results: A total of 14 variables were analyzed and based on and 7 were found to be risk factors: old age, family history of breast cancer, family history of other carcinomas, personal history of breast carcinoma, early age of menarche, older age of mother at first delivery and lower number of children. Five factors, parity, breast feeding, history of oral contraceptive pills intake, past history of oophorectomy and hysterectomy showed protective associations. One variable, use of hormonal replacement therapy, showed a controversial link and one other, marital status, was not significant in this study. Conclusions: It is concluded that most of the well-known risk factors for breast cancer are also associated with the disease in the female population of Karachi, Pakistan. High risk patients should be the focus with the help of this study so that screening can be more effective for early diagnosis before clinically evident breast malignancy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.42-44
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• 2012

Plasma cell myelomas generally manifest as bone or soft-tissue tumors with variable mass effects, pain, and infiltrative behavior. Extramedullary involvement occurs most commonly in the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and kidneys, but intracranial involvement in plasma cell myeloma is a rare extramedullary manifestation. These authors recently encountered a case of intracranial involvement of plasma cell myeloma. A 69-year-old man was hospitalized for headache and mental changes. Brain CT showed subdural hemorrhage caused by plasma cell myeloma. Plasma cell myeloma with intracranial involvement has poor prognosis, and the patient in this case died from acute complications, such as subdural hemorrhage. Based on this case report, it is suggested that more effective treatment regimens of plasma cell myeloma with intracranial involvement be developed. Moreover, a screening method and decision on the appropriate time for intracranial involvement are needed for plasma cell myeloma patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8905-8910
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• 2014

Background: Coverage of cervical pap smear test in Nepal is below general global values. One of the reasons may be that cervical cancer prevention policy of Nepal has 'Visual Inspection of Cervix with Acetic Acid' as the only screening tool. The focus of present study was to find out association of demographic factors, knowledge and attitude regarding cervical Pap smear test with its practice by women in Nepal. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional analytical observational study was conducted between February 1, 2013 and April 30, 2013. Participants were interviewed with the help of a structured questionnaire. Chi square and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to detect associations of variables with pap smear practice. Results: Chi square test showed that practice was significantly associated with knowledge about pap smear test and cervical cancer, having favourable attitude towards the test, urban residency and 36-50 years age-group. Pap smear utilization was not associated with age-at-marriage, parity and age-at-first-child-birth. Multivariate logistic regression showed favorable attitude towards pap smear test as the only variable which significantly influenced pap smear practice (p= 0.006, OR: 2.4). Conclusions: Pap smear coverage has been found to be 15.7% which is lower than global average and that for developing countries. Health education programs which are effective not only in increasing knowledge about cervical cancer and pap smear test but also effective in positively changing attitude towards the test should be organized to increase pap smear coverage.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.507-512
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• 2000

This study set out to improve the physical and pharmaceutical characteristics of the present formulation using an appropriate experimental design. The work described here concerns the formulation of the dispersible tablet applying direct compression method containing roxithromycin in the form of coated granules. In this study $2^3$ factorial design was used as screening test model and Central Composite Design (CCC) associated with response surface methodology was used as optimization study model to develop and to optimize the proper formulation of roxithromycin dispersible tablet. The three independent variables investigated were functional excipients like binder (X1), disintegrant (X2) and lubricant (X3). The effects of these variables were investigated on the following responses: hardness (Y1), friability (Y2) and disintegration time (Y3) of tablet. Three replicates at the center levels of the each design were used to independently calculate the experimental error and to detect any curvature in the response surface. This enabled the best formulations to be selected objectively. The effect order of each term to all response variable was X3> X2> Xl> X1＊X2> X2＊X2> X2＊X3> X3＊X3> Xl＊X3> Xl＊Xl and model equations on each response variables were generated. Optimized compositions of formula were accordingly computed using those model equations and confirmed by following demonstration study. As a result, this study has demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of using a systematic formulation optimization process to develop the tablet formulation of roxithromycin dispersible tablet with limited experiment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.153-164
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• 2020

Objectives This study is designed to evaluate the safety of Soshihotang soft extract in healthy male volunteers. Methods 12 healthy male volunteers were recruited and this study was carried out by a single center. Laboratory test results, vital signs of the volunteers were collected to evaluate safety. According to registration order, the 12 subjects were allocated by serial number. To evaluate safety, blood samples were taken and vital signs were checked 4 times-screening, pre administration, post administration and follow up-during the whole trial. The incidence of all adverse effects are shown in percentage. The mean and standard deviation were used to to describe and summarize continuous data. To evalate the effectiveness of the intervention, data of blood tests was analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test or paired T-test (p<0.05). Results In the case of red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophils, protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase values, the normality test result of the variable for the difference value before and after the dosing has a significance level <0.05. But most of values did not deviate from the normal range, and the deviation from the normal range could not be regarded as the significance associated with this clinical trial. And adverse event wasn't observed associated with the clinical trial drug. Conclusions Soshihotang soft extract were considered to be safe for healthy male volunteers.