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Patient-friendly medical diagnostics and treatments have been receiving a great deal of interest due to their rapid and cost-effective health care applications with minimized risk of infection, which has the potential to replace conventional hospital-based medical procedures. In particular, the integration of recently developed materials into health care devices allows the rapid development of point-of-care (POC) sensing platforms and implantable devices with special functionalities. In this review, the recent advances in biosensors for patient-friendly diagnosis and implantable devices for patient-friendly treatment are discussed. Comprehensive analysis of portable and wearable biosensing platforms for patient-friendly health monitoring and disease diagnosis is provided, including topics such as materials selection, device structure and integration, and biomarker detection strategies. Moreover, specific challenges related to each biological fluid for wearable biosensor-based POC applications are presented. Also, advances in implantable devices, including recent materials development and wireless communication strategies, are discussed. Furthermore, various patient-friendly surgical and treatment approaches are reviewed, such as minimally invasive insertion and mounting, in vivo electrical and optical modulations, and post-operation health monitoring. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives toward the development of the patient-friendly diagnosis and treatment are provided.

For highly immersive telehaptic applications, skin-integrated, untethered, and highly pixelated transducer devices that can record and generate tactile stimuli are required. Here, we propose a skin-conformable tactile sensor and actuator array with high spatial resolution of 1.8 mm for realising untethered tactile communication on human skin. The tactile sensors are designed to exhibit ultra-flexibility and bimodal sensitivity to static and dynamic pressure. The actuators are miniaturised to sub-millimetre scale to provide sophisticated, high spatiotemporal resolution tactile feedback over a centimetre square area of the fingertip with the capacity to generate vibrotactile feedback under an external load of up to 529 kPa. Short time Fourier transform analysis showed that our telehaptic system can transmit various types of tactile stimuli, such as the shape of objects and letters, textures of fabrics, and vibration patterns with high fidelity.

현재 임상에서 적용되고 있는 대표적인 당뇨 진단 기준에는 표준검사법인 경구당부하검사, 공복혈당, 당화혈색소가 있다. 그러나, 검사별로 판정이 일치하지 않는 경우가 많다. 본 연구에서는 선별검사에서 행해지는 공복혈당과 당화혈색소를 이용하여 당뇨병 판정의 일치도를 구해보고, 유형별로 그 특성을 살펴보았다. 국민건강영양조사 데이터(2015) 중 측정치 누락자, 당뇨병 기진단자, 공복 8시간 미만인 자를 제외한 20세 이상 대상자 4,502명(남성 1,956명, 여성 2,546명)의 자료를 이용하였다. 공복혈당과 당화혈색소 농도를 당뇨병 진단기준의 세 범주(정상, 당뇨병 전단계, 당뇨병)로 나누어 살펴본 남성 대상자의 분포에서 공복혈당 100 mg/dL∼125 mg/dL이면서 HbA1c≥6.5%인 대상자는 664명 중 23명, 새롭게 진단된 당뇨군 86명중 39명은 공복혈당 ≥126 mg/dL 이면서 HbA1c ＜6.5%로 나타났다. 판정의 일치율은 비당뇨군 80.3% 당뇨군 54.7%, 당뇨병 전단계에서 44.9%로 가장 낮았다. 코헨의 kappa 값은 남성의 경우 0.322, 여성의 경우 0.362로 일치도가 낮게 나타났고, 두 범주(비당뇨병, 당뇨병)로 나누었을 때 남성의 경우 0.582, 여성의 경우 0.637로 나타나 더 높은 일치도를 보였다. 공복혈당 ＜126 mg/dL이며 HbA1c ＜6.5%인 군에서 연령도 낮고 대부분의 혈액 측정치도 낮게 나타났으며, 공복혈당 ≥126mg/dL 이면서 HbA1c ≥6.5%인 군에서 남성의 경우 허리둘레, 혈압, 총 콜레스테롤, 중성지방의 수치가 높고 여성의 경우 ALT, hsCRP가 높게 나타났다. 남녀 모두 공복혈당 ≥126 mg/dL인군에서 인슐린저항성 지표인 HOMA IR값이 유의하게 높았고, ＜126 mg/dL인 군에서 인슐린감수성 지표인 QUICKI 값이 유의하게 높았다. 당뇨병 판정의 낮은 일치도 및 진단검사의 특성을 고려하여 관련검사의 병행 해석이 필요하다.

Recent progress in electronic skin or e-skin research is broadly reviewed, focusing on technologies needed in three main applications: skin-attachable electronics, robotics, and prosthetics. First, since e-skin will be exposed to prolonged stresses of various kinds and needs to be conformally adhered to irregularly shaped surfaces, materials with intrinsic stretchability and self-healing properties are of great importance. Second, tactile sensing capability such as the detection of pressure, strain, slip, force vector, and temperature are important for health monitoring in skin attachable devices, and to enable object manipulation and detection of surrounding environment for robotics and prosthetics. For skin attachable devices, chemical and electrophysiological sensing and wireless signal communication are of high significance to fully gauge the state of health of users and to ensure user comfort. For robotics and prosthetics, large-area integration on 3D surfaces in a facile and scalable manner is critical. Furthermore, new signal processing strategies using neuromorphic devices are needed to efficiently process tactile information in a parallel and low power manner. For prosthetics, neural interfacing electrodes are of high importance. These topics are discussed, focusing on progress, current challenges, and future prospects.

증가하고 있는 심혈관질환을 예방하기 위한 연구와 함께 심혈관질환 위험도를 예측할 수 있는 평가도구에 대한 연구도 꾸준히 진행되고 있다. 가장 널리 알려져 있는 Framingham risk score (FRS)는 여러 선행 연구에서 그 타당성이 검증되었다. 본 연구에서는 연구 대상자들의 LDL 콜레스테롤과 총 콜레스테롤의 적용에 따른 FRS의 점수 차이를 살펴보고, 두 변수의 선택 적용에 따른 10년 내심혈관질환 발생 위험도의 판정에 대한 일치도를 평가해 보고자 하였다. 2011 국민건강영양조사 데이터 중 심혈관질환 진단을 받은 자를 제외한 1,530명(남성 755명, 여성 775명)의 자료를 이용하였다. LDL 콜레스테롤 또는 총 콜레스테롤 중에 어떤 항목을 적용하느냐에 따라 FRS와 심혈관질환의 10년 예측위험도는 차이가 있었다. 남녀 모두 FRS는 LDL 콜레스테롤 적용 점수 보다 총콜레스테롤적용 점수가 더 높았다. 위험도 10% 미만의 저위험군, 10∼19%의 중등도 위험군, 20% 이상의 고위험군 분류에서 남성 106명, 여성26명의 판정이 일치하지 않았다. 코헨의 카파 계수는 남성의 경우 0.718, 여성의 경우 0.884로 나타나 여성의 경우 더 높은 일치성을 보였다. 심혈관질환의 10년 예측위험도와의 관련성에서도 LDL 콜레스테롤을 포함한 회귀식 보다 총 콜레스테롤을 포함한 회귀식에서 남녀 모두 설명력이 더 높아 총 콜레스테롤을 반영한 FRS 산출과 10년 예측 위험도의 평가가 더 상관성이 더 높고, 더불어 남성 보다는 여성에서 더 일치하는 결과가 나타남을 알 수 있었다.

CD46 is a complement inhibitor membrane cofactor which also acts as a receptor for various microbes, including species B adenoviruses (Ads). While most Ad gene therapy vectors are derived from species C and infect cells through coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR), CAR expression is downregulated in many cancer cells, resulting inefficient Ad-based therapeutics. Despite a limited knowledge on the expression status of many cancer cells, an increasing number of cancer gene therapy studies include fiber-modified Ad vectors redirected to the more ubiquitously expressed CD46. Since our finding from tumor microarray indicate that CD46 was overexpressed in cancers of the prostate and colon, fiber chimeric Ad5/35 vectors that have infection tropism for CD46 were employed to demonstrate its efficacy in colorectal cancers (CRC). CD46-overexpressed cells showed a significantly higher response to Ad5/35-GFP and to Ad5/35-tk/GCV. While CRC cells express variable levels of CD46, CD46 expression was positively correlated with Ad5/35-mediated GFP fluorescence and accordingly its cell killing. Injection of Ad5/35-tk/GCV caused much greater tumor-suppression in mice bearing CD46-overexpressed cancer xenograft compared to mock group. Analysis of CRC samples revealed that patients with positive CD46 expression had a higher survival rate (p=0.031), carried tumors that were well-differentiated, but less invasive and metastatic, and with a low T stage (all p

혈중 gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)는 지금까지 간기능 장애와 대표적인 알코올 섭취 관련 지표로서 폭넓게 사용되어 왔다. 현재 다양한 질환과의 관련성이 밝혀지면서 그 관심이 커지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 고도의 음주군에 해당하는 대상자를 제외하고 GGT 수치가 정상 범위에 속하는 대상자들에서 GGT 수치에 따른 관상동맥 질환 위험 요인과의 관련성을 살펴보고, 연령과 성별에 따른 특성을 비교 검토 하였다. 분석 자료는 2011 국민건강영양조사 데이터를 이용하였다(N=3,619). GGT(IU/L) 수준에 따라 사분 위수(quartile) 네 군으로 나누었을 때 GGT기준은 남성의 경우 순 서대로 10∼20, 21∼27, 28∼38, 39∼71 IU/L 이었고, 여성의 경우 각각 6∼12, 13∼16, 17∼22, 23∼42 IU/L 였다. 대부분의 변수 에서 평균치는 GGT 4분위수로 갈수록 수치가 높게 나타났으나, 남 성에서 연령과 저밀도콜레스테롤은 GGT 2분위수에서 수치가 가 장 높았다. FRS와 10년 관상동맥 질환 위험도는 남성에서 GGT 2 분위수에서 유의하게 높았고, 여성의 경우 GGT 4분위수에서 유의 하게 높았다. 여성의 경우 GGT 수준이 높아질수록 연령이 증가하였으나, 남성의 경우 GGT 2분위수에서 가장 높았다. 연령 70대에서 남성의 경우 1,2분위수 분포가 가장 많고, 여성의 경우 3,4분위수 분포가 많아 그 차이가 뚜렷하게 나타났다. GGT 수치가 정상 범위에 속하더라도 GGT 수치가 증가함에 따라 여러 위험인자와 관련성이 있음을 증명하였다. 그러나 GGT 수치 증가와 함께 관상동맥질환 관련 수치와 10년 위험도 관련 예측치 증가에 대한 부분은 연령과 성별에 따라 서로 다른 양상을 보였다.

Electronic skin are devices that mimic the functionalities of human skin, which require high sensitivity, large dynamic range, high spatial uniformity, low-cost and large-area processability, and the capacity to differentiate various external inputs. We herein introduce a versatile droplet-based microfluidic-assisted emulsion self-assembly process to generate three-dimensional microstructure-based high-performance capacitive and piezoresistive pressure sensors for electronic skin applications. Our technique can generate uniformly sized micropores that are self-assembled in an orderly close-packed manner over a large area, which results in high spatial uniformity. The size of the micropores can easily be tuned from 100 to 500 μm, through which sensitivity and dynamic range were controlled as high as 0.86 kPa-1 and up to 100 kPa. Our device can be printed on curvilinear surfaces and be molded into various shapes. We furthermore demonstrate that by simultaneously utilizing capacitive and piezoresistive pressure sensors, we can distinguish between pressure and temperature, or between pressure and proximity. These demonstrations make our process and sensors highly useful for a wide variety of electronic skin applications.

CD46 is generally overexpressed in many human cancers, representing a prime target for CD46-binding adenoviruses (Ads). This could help to overcome low anti-tumoral activity by coxsackie-adenoviral receptor (CAR)-targeting cancer gene therapy viruses. However, because of scarce side-by-side information about CAR and CD46 expression levels in cancer cells, mixed observations of cancer therapeutic efficacy have been observed. This study evaluated Ad-mediated therapeutic efficacy using either CAR-targeting Ad5 or CD46-targeting Ad5/35 fiber chimera in bladder cancer cell lines. Compared with normal urothelia, bladder cancer tissue generally overexpressed both CAR and CD46. While CAR expression was not correlated with disease progression, CD46 expression was inversely correlated with tumor grade, stage, and risk grade. In bladder cancer cell lines, expression levels of CD46 and CAR were highly correlated with Ad5/35- and Ad5-mediated gene transduction and cytotoxicity, respectively. In a human EJ bladder cancer xenograft mouse model, with either overexpressed or suppressed CD46 expression levels, Ad5/35-tk followed by ganciclovir (GCV) treatment significantly affected tumor growth, whereas Ad5-tk/GCV had only minimal effects. Overall, our findings suggest that bladder cancer cells overexpress both CAR and CD46, and that adenoviral cancer gene therapy targeting CD46 represents a more suitable therapy option than a CAR-targeting therapy, especially in patients with low risk bladder cancers.

Creatinine is a general marker as a screening test for renal disease. This study was conducted to provide basic data about pediatric concentration for serum and urine creatinine. The data from the 2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used. Analysis was done on 488 Children and Adolescents (boys 278, girls 210) aged 10 to 19, the Jaffe reaction method was used to gather the data. The highest serum creatinine levels were found in boys aged 19 to 20 years, the mean being 0.97 mg/dL (min 0.81 mg/dL, max 1.14 mg/dL). The levels showed increase over those in the 10 year old group. The highest urine creatinine levels were found aged 19 to 20 years, and the mean was 222.68 mg/dL (min 133 mg/dL, max 324 mg/dL). In the case of girls, the highest serum creatinine levels were found with those aged between 18 and 19, the mean being 0.71 mg/dL (min 0.49 mg/dL, max 0.84 mg/dL). The levels showed increase over the 11 to 18 year old group. The highest urine creatinine levels were found aged 14 to 15 years, and the mean was 218.44 mg/dL (min 131 mg/dL, max 321 mg/dL). The mean difference in serum creatinine in all age groups was statistically significant except for those aged 10 to 14, that of urine creatinine in all age groups was not significant statistically except for those aged 12 to 13, 17 to 18. Therefore, it is suggested that reference values for children and adolescents should be divided into different groups according to gender, further studies are needed using complementing data of the pediatrics.

Children and adolescents normally have higher Alkaline phosphatase levels than adults. This study was conducted to provide basic data about pediatric reference intervals for ALP. The data from the 2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used. Analysis was done for 847 Children and Adolescents (443 boys and 404 girls) aged 10 to 19. The method of p -NPP & EAE buffer was used to get the data. The highest ALP levels were found in boys aged 12 to 13, the reference interval being 653∼1,518 IU/L; the levels decreased for those over 13 years old. In the case of girls, the highest ALP levels were found with those aged between 11 and 12, the reference interval being 463∼1,598 IU/L; the levels decreased after 12 years of age. The mean difference in all age groups was statistically significant, except for those aged 10 to 11 and 11 to 12. Therefore, it is suggested that pediatric reference intervals should be divided into three groups according to gender. Complementing data about children and adolescents below 10 years old were not included in this study and will be much needed in the next trial.

Inspired by the human somatosensory system, pressure applied to multiple pressure sensors is received in parallel and combined into a representative signal pattern, which is subsequently processed using machine learning. The pressure signals are combined using a wireless system, where each sensor is assigned a specific resonant frequency on the reflection coefficient (S11 ) spectrum, and the applied pressure changes the magnitude of the S11 pole with minimal frequency shift. This allows the differentiation and identification of the pressure applied to each sensor. The pressure sensor consists of polypyrrole-coated microstructured poly(dimethylsiloxane) placed on top of electrodes, operating as a capacitive sensor. The high dielectric constant of polypyrrole enables relatively high pressure-sensing performance. The coils are vertically stacked to enable the reader to receive the signals from all of the sensors simultaneously at a single location, analogous to the junction between neighboring primary neurons to a secondary neuron. Here, the stacking order is important to minimize the interference between the coils. Furthermore, convolutional neural network (CNN)-based machine learning is utilized to predict the applied pressure of each sensor from unforeseen S11 spectra. With increasing training, the prediction accuracy improves (with mean squared error of 0.12), analogous to humans' cognitive learning ability.

Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is an important nosocomial infectious diarrhea and is associated with antibiotic use. Recently, incidence of C. difficile has been increasing in hospitals. A total of 1,329 stool specimens were examined from January, 2005 to December, 2008. This study analyzed the incidence and clinical characteristics of C. difficile infections on them. Out of 1,329 stool specimens, 283 specimens showed toxin A/B positive, using EIA. The positive rate was 21.2%; with the highest incidence among and above the 70years old. On endoscopy, psedo membranous colitis was found in 57.7%, and 19.5% of patients were normal. Pathologic finding showed PMC in 26.8% of patients, AAC in 52.2%. C. difficile was associated with PMC, however, endoscopic and pathologic findings tests showed normal to PMC.

As the allergic diseases in patients are increasing, it is important to find out the allergens. A multiple antigen simultaneous test(MAST) is a simple method for in vitro measurement of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between allergen-specific IgE antibodies, serum total IgE and peripheral eosinophil count in the allergic patients. According to the results of the study, the total IgE positive rate(above class 2) from the inhalent is 96.97%, and that from food panel is 98.06%. The research showed that the positive rate of the allergen-specific IgE was House dust 51.52%, D. farinae 45.46%, Cat 31.99% in inhalent panel, and 55.34%, 42.72%, 34.96% in food panel. Serum total IgE was associated with allergy, however, allergy was not always associated with eosinophilia.

School of Computer Information, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea Department of Microbiology, Gyeongsang National University Medical School, Jinju, Korea Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daegu Health College, Daegu, Korea Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea Department of Food Science & Nutrition, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea Department of Food & Nutrition, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea