Is CA-125 an additional help to radiologic findings for differentiation borderline ovarian tumor from stage I carcinoma?

Background: Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are difficult to differentiate from stage I carcinoma using radiological findings. Little is known about the correlation between CA-125 levels and radiological findings for predicting BOTs or carcinoma.

Purpose: To assess the role of CA-125, in addition to that of radiological findings, in differentiating BOTs from stage I carcinoma.

Ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for thyroid nodules: an emphasis on one-sampling and biopsy techniques.

The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy and efficacy of ultrasonography (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) with one-sampling technique (only one specimen through a single needle pass was obtained during the procedure on each thyroid nodule in each study patient) for the cytological diagnosis of thyroid nodules. In this study, US-FNAC techniques, including "free two-hand," "mixed sampling," "flipping-extraction," and "single-needle-pass" procedures were used to collect thyroid cells from July 2007 to June 2009. The cytopathology results and patients' complications were reviewed retrospectively.

Addition of garlic or onion before irradiation on lipid oxidation, volatiles and sensory characteristics of cooked ground beef.

Addition of 0.5% onion was effective in reducing lipid oxidation in irradiated cooked ground beef after 7 day storage. Addition of garlic or onion greatly increased the amounts of sulfur volatiles from cooked ground beef.

Comparison of short- versus long-term ketogenic diet for intractable infantile spasms.

Purpose: To compare the prognoses between short-term (8 months) and conventional long-term (> 2 years) trials involving patients with refractory infantile spasms who successfully completed the ketogenic diet (KD).

Methods: Of 40 patients who achieved seizure-free outcomes and showed improvement in hypsarrhythmic patterns within 6 months of the KD, with a 3:1 fat to nonfat ratio as an add-on treatment, 16 patients were randomized into the short-term trial group and the diet was tapered throughout two additional months. Twenty-four patients were randomized into a long-term trial group, and 19 patients could successfully discontinue the diet after 2 years.

Consumption of oxidized oil increases oxidative stress in broilers and affects the quality of breast meat.

A total of 120 4-week-old broiler chickens were allotted to 12 pens and fed one of three diets including control, oxidized diet (5% oxidized oil), or antioxidant-added diet (500 IU vitamin E) for 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of feeding trial, and breast muscles were sampled immediately after slaughter. Breast meats were also collected 24 h after slaughter and used for meat quality measurements.

Electron microscopic study of intercellular space: correlation analysis of bronchial asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background And Aims: Bronchial asthma (BA) is considered an extra-esophageal syndrome of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with poor pathophysiological background. We analyzed the correlation between GERD and BA, examining esophageal epithelium with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), along with clinical findings.

Methods: BA patients of controlled and partly-controlled levels were enrolled in the study.

Analysis of Published Papers by Keywords and Research Methods in the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing (2007~2009).

Purpose: This study s aim was to analyze literature using the identified key words of published literature within the Korean Journal of Womens Health Nursing from 2007~2009. The study explored the major subjects and research methodology used and evaluated the quality of this Journal articles.

Methods: Survey design using a structured analysis format was used for consistent evaluation of research subjects, type of research, research methodology, data analysis, along with comparing intervention research, theoretical framework, ethical consideration, and the implications.

Improving functional value of meat products.

In recent years, much attention has been paid to develop meat and meat products with physiological functions to promote health conditions and prevent the risk of diseases. This review focuses on strategies to improve the functional value of meat and meat products. Value improvement can be realized by adding functional compounds including conjugated linoneleic acid, vitamin E, n3 fatty acids and selenium in animal diets to improve animal production, carcass composition and fresh meat quality.

Paleoparasitological report on Ascaris aDNA from an ancient East Asian sample.

In this study, Ascaris DNA was extracted and sequenced from a medieval archaeological sample in Korea. While Ascaris eggs were confirmed to be of human origin by archaeological evidence, it was not possible to pinpoint the exact species due to close genetic relationships among them. Despite this shortcoming, this is the first Ascaris ancient DNA (aDNA) report from a medieval Asian country and thus will expand the scope of Ascaris aDNA research.

Rare variant of persistent primitive hypoglossal artery in magnetic resonance angiography.

We present an extremely rare case of a variant of persistent primitive hypoglossal artery, which was found incidentally in magnetic resonance angiography during an examination for dizziness. This anastomotic vessel arose from the external carotid artery (ECA), not internal carotid artery, and entered the hypoglossal canal to basilar artery. To our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of the persistent hypoglossal artery arising from the ECA.

Analysis of Path Model Based on Objectification Theory for College Women's Eating Disorder Symptomatology.

Purpose: This study was to examine the fitness of a path model based on the objectification theory and to expand it by including the new variables to explain eating disorder symptomatology (EDS).

Methods: The subjects consisted of 444 college women. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires that measured self-objectification (SO), social physique anxiety (SPA) and EDS as the original variables in the objectification theory, and influence of mass media (IMM) and sex-role attitude (SRA) as the new variables.

Comparison of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging versus four-phase multi-detector row computed tomography in assessing tumor regression after radiofrequency ablation in subjects with hepatocellular carcinomas.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic value of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in follow-up of patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) who were treated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation and to compare it with that of four-phase multi-detector row computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: From July 2007 to May 2008, 36 patients (43 HCCs) were enrolled who were treated with RF ablation (tumor size, 20-47 mm; mean, 24.5 mm) and underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging and four-phase (precontrast, arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium) multidetector CT for follow-up.

Serial interferon-gamma release assays after rifampicin prophylaxis in a tuberculosis outbreak.

Even though some studies have reported the results of serial interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) during isoniazid prophylactic treatment, serial results have not been reported after rifampicin prophylaxis. A contact investigation was conducted after a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in an accommodation facility. The tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test were performed in 214 contacts with normal chest radiographs.

Antisense inhibition of microRNA-21 or -221 arrests cell cycle, induces apoptosis, and sensitizes the effects of gemcitabine in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: The contribution of overexpressed microRNA-21 and -221 (miR-21 and miR-221) to the malignant phenotype was determined by inhibiting these miRNAs using antisense oligonucleotides.

Methods: The effects of antisense to miR-21 and miR-221 on cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, combinatorial effects with gemcitabine, and effects on target protein levels were studied.

Results: Low nanomolar concentrations of both antisense oligonucleotides reduced proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules smaller than 5 mm in the maximum diameter: assessment of efficacy and pathological findings.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the use of an ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) to diagnose thyroid nodules smaller than 5 mm in the maximum diameter and to evaluate pathological findings of small thyroid malignancies.

Materials And Methods: From May 2007 to April 2008, we evaluated the findings of US-FNABs of small thyroid nodules less than 5 mm in the maximum diameter. The cytopathological findings were retrospectively reviewed and the diagnostic performance of the use of an US-FNAB was examined in all patients.

Algorithm combining toxin immunoassay and stool culture for diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection.

Enzyme immunoassays (EIA) to detect glutamate dehydrogenase or toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB), a cytotoxicity assay, and bacteriologic culture have disadvantages when applied individually to diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infections. Stool specimens (n = 1,596) were subjected to toxin detection via an enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay (ELFA; Vidas CDAB assay) and bacteriologic culture for toxigenic C. difficile in a three-step algorithm with additional toxigenic culture.

Developing an electronic nursing record system for clinical care and nursing effectiveness research in a korean home healthcare setting.

Increased accountability requirements for the cost and quality of healthcare force nurses to clearly define and verify nursing's contributions to patient outcomes. This demand necessitates documentation of nursing care in a precise manner. An electronic nursing record system is considered a key element that enhances nurses' ability not only to record nursing care provided to patients but also to measure, report, and monitor quality and effectiveness.

Asthma-like symptoms are increased in the metabolic syndrome.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and asthma has been increasing during the last several decades. Obesity has been reported to be associated with asthma. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is the main component of the metabolic syndrome.

Acute traumatic death of a 17th century general based on examination of mummified remains found in Korea.

Recently, we examined one of the most perfectly preserved mummies of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) ever found in Korea. The individual was an elderly man and a high-ranking general who had lived sometime during the 16th or 17th century in Korea. When computerized tomography (CT) radiographs were taken, a fracture line was observed on the left side of the mandible.

In situ detection of mature microRNAs by labeled extension on ultramer templates.

We describe a new method for the in situ detection of a mature microRNA (miRNA) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. The method involves the labeled extension of miRNA hybridized to an approximately 100-nucleotide-long ultramer template containing the complementary sequence of the miRNA at its 3' terminus. Pretreatment of the tissue involves incubation with protease to expose the genomic DNA to DNase digestion, thereby eliminating the ultramer-independent DNA synthesis process inherent in paraffin-embedded tissue.

Pilomatricomas: the diagnostic value of ultrasound.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze statistically significant diagnostic factors for pilomatricoma on the basis of ultrasonographic features.

Methods: Sonographic images were retrospectively reviewed from 44 pilomatricomas, and from 43 control subjects with other subcutaneous tumors. Two radiologists determined the tumoral shape, margin, echotexture, echogenicity, posterior shadowing, posterior enhancement, hypoechoic rim, internal calcification, and vascularity.

Validity and reliability of the Frenchay Activities Index for community-dwelling elderly in South Korea.

The speed of population aging in South Korea is projected as the fastest in the world, and a long-term care insurance law has been just enacted. Therefore, it is important to estimate the number of the disabled community-dwelling elderly in South Korea. The Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) is a scale to measure higher level of physical function or activities that are necessary for independence in the community, i.