Genetic Analysis of Locally Advanced Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Clinical Prognostic Implications

정아라,강순성,전승연,이윤세 대한이비인후과학회 2023 대한이비인후과학회지 두경부외과학 Vol.66 No.12

Background and Objectives Despite the usually favorable prognosis of well-differentiatedthyroid cancer (WDTC) following appropriate treatment, advanced T-staged WDTCs are as-sociated with poor prognosis. This study focused on identifying genes associated with theprognosis of locally advanced WDTC by analyzing a The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. Subjects and Method We analyzed the data of 501 patients with WDTC and classifiedthem into two subgroups: pathological T4 stage (Cluster 1) or T1-3 stage (Cluster 2). We com-pared the mRNA expressions of thyroid cancer-related genes, and the somatic mutation fre-quencies of various cancer genes between the two subgroups. Results Cluster 1 included 23 patients (papillary=21/follicular-variant papillary thyroid can-cer [FVPTC]=2) and Cluster 2 478 patients (papillary=371/ FV PTC=10 0/ot her s=7). Cluster 1showed worse overall and disease-free survival than Cluster 2 ( p<0.05 and p=0.12 , respe c-tively). Patients with pT4 stage had about a 1.8-fold increased risk of overall recurrence ordeath. MET, SERPINA1, TIMP1, PROS1, FN1, CDKN2A, and CDKN2B were significantly ele-vated while TG, DNAH9, TFF3, CR A BP1, TPO, JAK2, KIT, KDR, and NFE2L2 were signifi-cantly lower in Cluster 1 (all, p<0.05 and adjusted p<0.05). A TERT, EIF1A X, and ATMshowed significantly frequent somatic mutations in Cluster 1 when compared to Cluster 2. Wealso identified seven pathways related to 16 genetic markers. Conclusion Locally advanced WDTC presented 16 genetic alterations. We identified so-matic mutations associated with local invasion transformation. Relevant pathways related tothe 16 genetic markers could be therapeutic targets. Genetic analysis of locally advancedWDTC may be used to predict clinical applications in patient survival.

The effect of plasma surface treatment on osseointegration of dental implant

정아라,김서영,전현정,임도형,임유봉,권보미 대한기계학회 2021 대한기계학회 춘추학술대회 Vol.2021 No.4

According to recent reports, surface wettability is known to impact on osseointegration of implants. It was shown that adhesion of osteoblast can be improved by modifying the surface to be hydrophilic. To increase the hydrophilicity, we utilized a cylindrical type capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) designed to fit the dental implant shape. Our CCP source was operated under a moderate vacuum condition of 3 torr for stable and uniform plasma discharge. To investigate the efficiency of osseointegration following plasma treatment, we evaluated protein adsorption, cell adhesion, and differentiation on plasma treated dental implants. Two types of dental implants were used to compare the osseointegration efficiency, namely, sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) type and calcium-coated type were used. Protein adsorption assay showed that protein adhere more by plasma treatment in both implant types. Also, cell adhesion assay showed that plasma treatment enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation. In conclusion, plasma treatment seems to be advantageous for osseointegration on dental implant surfaces.

A Case of Inflammatory Pseudotumor Cerebri and Nasal Septum

정아라,하영민,강정욱,이건희 대한이비인후과학회 2017 대한이비인후과학회지 두경부외과학 Vol.60 No.2

Inflammatory pseudotumors, which clinically mimic neoplasms, are space-occupying collections of inflammatory cells, histiocytes, and fibroblasts. They are most often found in the orbits and lungs, but rarely in the head and neck region, and hardly ever in the nasal septum. Here we report on a 71-year-old woman with pseudotumor cerebri and an inflammatory pseudotumor of the nasal septum. This case demonstrates that inflammatory pseudotumor can cooccur in the brain and nasal septum. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2017;60(2):83-6

북아메리카 사막 지형에 미친 인류의 영향: 피닉스, 애리조나 지역을 사례로

정아라 한국지형학회 2019 한국지형학회지 Vol.26 No.3

Humans have been important driver to reconfigure the terrestrial surface of the Earth by altering its morphology and processes. The effect of human activities on the physical landscape, however, shows substantially uneven geographical patterns. Most of anthrogemorphoogical studies regarding human-induced denudation have focused on areas with a long history of human modifications such as humid landscapes, so the hypothesis is naturally a great human impact on landscapes. The effect of human activities on dryland Earth surfaces are far less commonly studied, although erosion is one of major concerns in arid and semiarid region regarding land and water quality degradation. The urban metropolis of Phoenix, Arizona, USA provides an opportunity to explore the impact of the Anthropocene. The Phoenix metropolitan area rests on classic desert landforms, such as extensive pediments, alluvial fans and sand sheets. Human activities including cattle crazing, wildfire resulting from introduced grass species by human, and recent urbanization processes have impacted these classic desert landforms and altered geomorphic processes. The purpose of this paper, therefore, rests in examining Anthropocene in the geomorphology of the north-central Sonoran Desert. The objectives of this paper are: i) to understand the impact of the Anthropocene on the geomorphological processes and forms through field observations; ii) to quantify the magnitude of human impacts on landscape using a published two-decade long record of erosion dataset and natural background erosion dataset in submitted manuscript at the sprawling edge of the Phoenix metropolitan region; iii) to examine how geomorphic outcome can affect the sustainability of cities through the estimation of sediment yield under the condition of urban sprawl.

The Linear and Branched Alkyl Side Chains on Planar Semiconducting Molecules

정아라,옥주원,김봉수 한국고분자학회 2015 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.2015 No.10

Understanding the Transport Mechanism of Paleo-deposits in the Sonoran Desert with Grain Size Distribution and Shape Analysis

정아라 한국지리학회 2020 한국지리학회지 Vol.9 No.2

About tens of meters thick fine sand and silt deposits are observed at the top of the sedimentary logs of hundreds of drilling wells throughout Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona, USA, situated in north-central Sonoran Desert, and likely deposited after ~ 836ka. A hypothesis to explain the paleo-deposits is that the deposits are a wind-blown deposits derived from the floodplains of nearby rivers developed in response to the aeolian-fluvial interactions. The purpose of this study is to reconstruct paleoenvironment and to understand the processes of transport and deposition of the paleo-deposits using modern analogues. This is accomplished via the identification of the paleo-deposits by comparison with modern source-bordering dune sediments and fluvial sediments using the analyses of grain size distribution and grain shape parameters. Overall, the results of sediment drift potential, grain size distribution and shape analyses provide evidence to support the hypothesis, and the deposition of the paleo-deposits may be related with the change of regional climates. Grain shape parameters may better reflect the mechanism of transport when grains traveled over short distance. Given the advantage, the grain shape analysis may provide a new insight to solve the issue associated with the provenance of Korean loess-like sediments whether it was originated from far-distant the Chinese Loess Plateau and peripheral areas or from nearby floodplains of local river or from exposed fine materials in the Yellow Sea.

‘신냉전’의 현장, 나토 정상회의에 가다

정아란 관훈클럽 2022 관훈저널 Vol.- No.164

Recent Survey of Effective Doses of F-18 FDG Torso PET/CT in Korea and the Current Recommendations for CT Protocols of PET/CT

정아리,박정미,박경준,김용일,권현우,이은성,남기표,이호영,이홍재,유익동,어재선,김지영,윤준기,김경민,김성민,김태성 대한핵의학회 2020 핵의학 분자영상 Vol.54 No.5

Purpose This study aimed to construct a database of the effective doses (ED) from F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) torso positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in Korea to provide data that supports the reduction of the CT dose of PET/CT and optimization of PET/CT protocols in Korea. Methods We investigated data of ED and CT parameters of FDG PET/CT. The data were analyzed by body weight groups. Results A total of 31 hospitals participated in the survey (99 adults). The mean total EDs (± SD) were 8.77 ± 2.76, 10.93 ± 3.14, and 12.57 ± 3.79 mSv for the 55-, 70-, and 85-kg groups, respectively. The FDG EDs were 4.80 ± 0.98, 6.05 ± 1.15, and 6.89 ± 1.52 mSv, and the CT EDs were 4.00 ± 2.12, 4.88 ± 2.51, and 5.68 ± 2.89 mSv, respectively. Of the enrolled hospitals, 54.5% used ultra-low-dose CT protocols, and their CT ED was significantly lower than low-dose CT group in all groups (2.9 ± 1.0, 3.2 ± 1.1, and 3.3 ± 1.0 mSv vs. 6.6 ± 1.6, 7.2 ± 2.1, and 7.9 ± 2.2 mSv, all p < 0.001, respectively). In the ultra-low-dose CT group, the CT ED with the iterative reconstruction was significantly lower than that of CT without iterative reconstruction in the 55-kg group (2.4 ± 0.9 vs. 3.3 ± 0.9, p = 0.04). Conclusions These results and current recommendations can be helpful for optimizing PET/CT diagnostic reference level (DRL) and reducing unnecessary PET/CT radiation exposure.

자가면역 질환과 HERV의 병인학적 관계

정아람,김희수 한국생명과학회 2003 생명과학회지 Vol.13 No.2

인간의 면역계는 외부의 병원균 등의 침입에 대하여 매우 강력한 방어작용을 수행하고 있다. 하지만, 때로 면역계의 손상으로 인해 비정상적인 면역작용이 유발됨으로써 면역성 질환이 야기되기도 한다. 특히, 자가면역 질환은 그 종류가 매우 다양하며 심각한 위험을 초래하기도 한다 이들 질환에 대한 활발한 병인학적 연구가 진행되고 있으나, 아직 정확한 메커니즘을 밝히지는 못하고 있다. 자가면역성 당뇨병의 원인 유전자로 인간의 게놈에 내생하고 있는 HERV가 거론된 후, 사이토카인의 변화나 외생 레트로바기러스의 감염에 의해 HERV의 발현이 활성화되어 superantigen으로 작용함으로써 비정상적인 면역반응이 유도된다는 새로운 사실이 밝혀져 많은 주목을 끌고 있다. 이는 내생 레트로바이러스 유래의 superantigen과 인간의 질병과의 관련성을 비교적명확하게 제시함으로써, 자가면역 질환의 극복을 위한 향후 연구에 주요한 실마리를 제공하고 있다. Human immune system acts to protect the host from infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) and from other noxious insults. However, immune diseases are sometimes caused by the impairment of immune system leading to abnormal immune response. Especially, autoimmune diseases are very diverse and often bring serious damage Although many active investigations to reveal the etiological mechanisms concerning the autoimmune diseases, it still remains unclear. After proposing a HERV (human endogenous retrovirus) as a candidate autoimmune gene in type I diabetes, it is newly attracting our attention for demonstrating that an endogenous human retroviral superantigen can be transactivated by interferon-$\alpha$ (IFN- $\alpha$) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. These might provide us with powerful clues to carry out further studies to overcome autoimmune diseases as the presentation of a relatively clear connection between endogenous superantigens and human diseases.

한의학과 아유르베다에서의 설진(舌診)에 대한 비교 연구

정아람,이혜윤,황만석 대한한의학회 2019 대한한의학회지 Vol.40 No.2

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze Tongue Diagnosis of Korean medicine with that of Ayurveda. Methods: In this article, first we introduced concept of Tongue Diagnosis based on physiological view. Further, we also reviewed published works including books and articles. Then, we reviewed Ayurveda to find similar concepts to Vicera Assignment on Tongue, and analyzed the comparison between the relevant contents of Korean medicine and Ayurveda. Results: In Ayurveda, they divided vicera into two part (right and left) and some elements of vicera were assigned to either side of divided tongue. In Korean medicine, a tongue is divide into three parts of Sangcho(上焦, Shang Jiao), Jungcho(中焦, Zhong Jiao) and Hacho(下焦, Xia Jaio) ; similarly, in Ayurveda, they divide a tongue into three regions of VATA, PITTA, KAPHA. Conclusion: It can be inferred from the relationship between portions of a tongue and vicera of a body that Korean medicine and Ayurveda have a close relationship.