Earticle

부여 부소산사지는 부소산 서남쪽 기슭에 위치하는 백제시대 절터이다. 일제강점기인 1942년 요네다 미요지와 후지사와 가즈오가 발굴 조사하였다. 이 조사에서는 수막새, 인장와, 평기와 등 1,000여 점에 달하는 기와가 출토되었다. 수막새 문양은 8엽과 7엽 연화문, 파문 3종류가 확인된다. 7엽 연화문수막새는 ‘장식형’에 속하며, 이후 익산지역에서 ‘장식형’ 연화문수막새가 발달하는 데 선도적인 역할을 한 것으로 추정된다. 이 수막새는 금당지와 탑지는 물론 중문지, 회랑지 등에서 고루 출토되었으므로 이 절이 처음 세워질 때 만들어진 창건와로 추정된다. 동형 수막새가 부여 관북리유적, 부소산성처럼 왕궁 혹은 왕실과 직접 연관된 공공시설에서만 제한적으로 출토되었다. 그러므로 이러한 형식의 수막새는 왕실을 상징하는 문양으로 새롭게 만들어져 매우 특별한 용도로 사용된 것으로 생각된다. 8엽 연화문수막새는 ‘삼각반전형’에 포함되며, 자방 부분을 개범하였다. 이 수막새는 대부분 탑지에서 출토되어 창건 이후 탑을 중수하면서 올린 보수와로 생각된다. 같은 형식의 수막새는 부여 관북리유적, 구아리사지, 정림사지와 익산 왕궁리유적에서 확인된다. 제작기법 측면에서 7엽 연화문수막새는 막새 뒷면 하단을 회전물손질 정면하였으며, 막새 뒷면과 수키와 끝부분을 사선 혹은 ‘ㄱ’자 형태로 가공하여 접합하는 기법이 사용하였다. 반면 파문수막새는 막새 상반부를 절개하고 가공하지 않은 수키와를 바로 접합하는 비교적 후대의 방식이 사용되었다. 8엽 연화문수막새 일부에서도 이러한 접합 방식이 확인되며, 막새 뒷면 하단을 물손질하여 곡면을 이루도록 하는 다소 간소화된 방식이 사용되어 7엽 연화문수막새와 차이를 보인다. 인각와는 2개의 글자가 있는 조합형과 1개의 글자가 있는 단독형으로 구분된다. 조합형의 명문 구조는 앞에 戊, 巳, 午 등의 간지명이 오고, 뒤에 助 혹은 㫑, 斯, 止, 毛(?) 등의 글자가 오는 형태이다. 단독형 명문에는 辰, 巳, 午 등 지지명과 雜(?), 止, 斯 등의 글자가 있다. 간지명은 일반적으로 시간을 나타내는 것이 유력하지만 방위 등을 의미하는지도 살펴보아야 한다. 뒤의 글자는 공급자를 뜻하는 것으로 생각된다. 인각와가 출토되는 유적은 부여 부소산성, 관북리유적과 익산 왕궁리유적, 미륵사지처럼 왕궁 혹은 왕실과 직접 연관되는 공공시설로만 제한되므로 7엽 연화문수막새와 비슷한 양상을 보여준다. 평기와 규격은 암키와의 길이가 37.6㎝이며, 너비는 정확히 알 수 없다. 기와의 두께는 수키와가 1.5~1.7㎝, 암키와가 1.7~2.3㎝이다. 외면에 태선문이 시문되었으며, 내면은 거의 물손질을 하지 않아서 포목흔이 뚜렷하다. 고운 니질 태토를 사용하였고 회색을 띠며, 연질 소성되었다. 기와 내면에서는 통쪽흔이 확인되어 7세기 이후에도 백제지역에서는 통쪽와통에 의한 성형법이 계속 사용되었음을 알 수 있다. 부소산사지는 남문-중문-목탑-금당 및 동‧서 회랑이 있는 가람 배치이며, 금당 북쪽의 강당은 확인되지 않았다. 강당이 없는 독특한 구조의 이 사찰은 백제 왕실과 밀접한 관련이 있으며, 소규모로 조성된 왕실의 원찰로 추정된다. 부소산사지는 7세기 초에 창건되었으며, 건물 지붕에 7엽 연화문수막새를 사용하였다. 7세기 중엽 목탑을 보수하면서 지붕에 8엽 연화문수막새를 사용한 것으로 추정된다.

In 1942, during the Japanese colonial period, Yoneda Miyoji and Fujisawa Kazuo conducted an excavation at the Busosan Temple Site, located at the southwestern foot of Mt. Buso in Buyeo. The excavation yielded approximately 1,000 roof tiles, including convex roof-end tiles (sumaksae), tiles with stamped inscriptions (injangwa), and flat and convex roof tiles (pyeonggiwa). Three main decorative motifs were identified on the convex roof-end tiles: the seven-petal lotus, eight-petal lotus, and vortex patterns. The seven-petal lotus pattern tiles, classified as ornamental types, are considered to have played a pioneering role in the development of similar decorative lotus-pattern tiles in the Iksan region. These tiles were unearthed from key architectural components—such as the middle gate, corridors, main hall, and pagoda base—suggesting their use during the temple’s founding phase. Tiles of this type have also been identified at a limited number of sites including Gwanbuk-ri and Busosanseong (Buso Mountain Fortress), both of which are state or royal facilities. This restricted distribution suggests that the seven-petal lotus motif was symbolically linked to the royal family and reserved for special or elite contexts. The eight-petal lotus pattern tiles, considered to represent a “triangular reversal” type, exhibit modifications to the ovary part of the lotus motif. These tiles were primarily recovered from the pagoda area and are interpreted as repair tiles used during renovation activities. Similar tiles have been found at the Gwanbuk-ri Site, Guari Temple Site, Jeongnimsa Temple Site in Buyeo, and the Wanggung-ri Site in Iksan. In terms of manufacturing techniques, the seven-petal lotus tiles exhibit refined techniques. The lower rear surface was shaped using water-trimming, and the tile was joined to the convex roof tile (sukiwa) using either an oblique cut or an L-shaped notch. In contrast, vortex-patterned tiles employed a simpler, later method. The upper portion of the round-end tile was incised and directly affixed to the convex tile without additional trimming. A similar jointing technique was occasionally applied to eight-petal lotus tiles. These also display a simplified water-trimmed curvature on the back surface, reflecting an evolution toward more efficient manufacturing processes. Tiles with stamped inscriptions fall into two categories: dual-character inscriptions and single-character inscriptions. Dual-character inscriptions typically consist of a stem from the sexagenary cycle (e.g., 戊, 巳, 午) followed by a character such as 助, 㫑, 斯, 止, or possibly 毛. Single-character inscriptions include cyclical elements such as 辰, 巳, 午, alongside characters like 雜 (?), 止, and 斯. The initial character likely indicates a date or temporal cycle, though alternative interpretations—such as a compass direction—cannot be excluded. The following character is generally believed to reference the supplier, production group, or workshop. Similar to the seven-petal lotus tiles, these inscribed tiles have been found exclusively at state- or royal-associated sites, including Busosanseong, Gwanbuk-ri in Buyeo, and Wanggung-ri and Mireuksa Temple Sites in Iksan. A flat roof tile measured approximately 37.6 cm in length; the width remains uncertain. The convex roof tiles ranged in thickness from 1.5 to 1.7cm, while the concave roof tiles were slightly thicker, between 1.7 and 2.3cm. The outer surfaces were decorated with bold line patterns (taeseonmun), while the interior surfaces showed clear impressions of hemp cloth, owing to minimal water trimming. The tiles were made from finely silty clay, fired at low temperatures, resulting in a gray, soft-body. Notably, traces of cylindrical molds woven from thin wooden strips (tongjjokwatong) are visible on the interior surfaces. These impressions confirm that this traditional forming technique remained in use in Baekje tile production as late as the 7th century. The Busosan Temple Site exhibits a typical Baekje temple layout: a south gate, middle gate, wooden pagoda, main hall, and east and west corridors. However, a lecture hall (gangdang), usually located north of the main hall, has not been identified. This absence, combined with the temple’s compact scale and elite tile assemblage, suggests a specific function. It is therefore interpreted as a royal votive temple (wonchal)—a small-scale temple closely affiliated with the Baekje royal family. Stratigraphic and typological evidence indicates the temple was established in the early 7th century, with seven-petal lotus tiles used during the initial construction. During a mid-7th century renovation—likely centered on the pagoda—the eight-petal lotus pattern tiles were introduced as part of a restorative phase.

타투의 역사는 동서양을 막론하고 오랜 역사적 산물 이다. 오랜 역사 속에서 타투는 민족을 상징하기도 하 고 신분 혹은 지위를 상징하기도 하며 용맹이나 공적을 상징하기도 하였다. 이러한 역사적 배경에서 동양의 유 교문화와 서양의 기독교문화가 정착하면서 점점 사회적 으로 타투가 하위문화의 전유물처럼 되어 대중문화에서 금기시되는 경향이 강했다. 그러나 현대에 들어와서 타 투에 대한 사회적 인식의 변화가 생기기 시작하였다. 따라서 본 논문은 타투에 대한 외국의 사회적 수용이 어떠한 현상에 놓여 있는지를 살펴보고 우리나라에는 어떠한 시사점이 있는지를 살펴보고자 하였다. 연구 방법으로는 국내외 문헌과 국내외 언론사들에 서 조명한 타투의 사회적 인식을 조사하였고, 이를 바 탕으로 현재 문신(文身)과 타투(tattoo)의 개념을 정확 하게 정의하였다. 그리고 외국에 있어서 타투에 대한 사회적 인식을 문헌적으로 조사하여 이를 정리하였다. 연구 결과 타투에 대한 대다수의 국가들은 타투라는 문 화를 범죄자나 조직폭력배가 하는 하위문화의 유산이라 생각하여 매우 부정적 이미지를 가지고 있었으나 점점 젊은 사람들에게 있어서 타투는 옷이나 액세서리처럼 자신의 개성적인 표현이자, 예술적 표현으로 대중문화 의 하나라고 하는 변화가 생기고 있음을 살펴보았다.

The history of tattoos is the historical product in the East and West. The tattoos were not only the symbol of the nation and status, but also the symbol of the intrepidity and exploit in a long history. As the Confusion culture of the East and the Christian culture of the West settled down, the tattoos were considered as the exclusive property of subculture groups and a taboo in mass culture. After that, People thought of tattoos as a negative image. However, Some changes in the perception of tattoos began to occur in the modern society. This paper examines how much people accept tattoos abroad and what implications it provides in Korea. We investigate the social awareness of tattoos revealed in domestic and foreign literatures and presses as a research method. Based on this, we have defined the concept of tattoos. Also, we research and organize the social perception of tattoos in foreign literature. In conclusion, people in a great many countries regarded tattoos as a legacy of a subculture of criminals and gangsters and a very negative image. However, today’s young people consider tattoos as an expression of their individuality and artistic expression, just like clothes or accessories.

우리는 철강산업에서 후발주자였던 포스코의 혁신을 최고경영진의 역할에 중점을 두어 분석하였다. 특히, 가치 있는 자원을 많이 보유할수록 기업의 성과가 좋다는 자원준거관점에서 나아가 같은 자원이라도 자원의 구성, 자원 배열의 순서, 자원의 결합과정에서 창출되는 메커니즘에서 경쟁우위가 창출된다는 메커니즘 관점에서 포스코 내부구조를 분석하였다. 이를 위해서 40명의 임직원 인터뷰를 수행하였고 이와 함께 2차 자료를 바탕으로 주요 혁신이벤트 87개를 추출하여 포스코의 메커니즘 유형을 분석해 보고 혁신이 일어난 과정과 최고경영진의 역할에 관하여 심층 분석하였다. 유형분석을 통해 메커니즘의 내부구조를 볼 수 있었으며 각 자원들 사이의 상호작용, 결합과정에서 포스코 특유의 메커니즘이 생성됨을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구를 통해 지금까지 단지 개념적인 수준에서 연구되어 메커니즘 이론을 보다 구체적으로 발전시킬 수 있었으며 자원의 결합과정에서의 최고경영진 역할의 중요성을 강조할 수 있었다.

We analyze the process of innovation and the effect of a mechanism’s pattern on innovation through the case study of POSCO, a 21-year-old business. We apply a new analytical tool involving different types of mechanisms, propose new classifications, and determine the relationship among mechanism factors, including subject, environment, and resource. We demonstrate how POSCO, a latecomer in the Asia Pacific region, gained a competitive edge over its competitors through an invisible resource and analyze POSCO’s overall degree of innovation. Our study facilitates a deeper understanding of the mechanism theory, which has been studied only on the conceptual level so far.

Purpose: This study analyzed retracted publications in dental implantology research to identify reasons for retraction, characterize geographic and journal trends, quantify the time lag from publication to retraction, and assess the impact of retractions through post-retraction citation patterns. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EBSCO, Retraction Watch, and Google Scholar identified retracted dental implant?related articles published between 2000 and 2024. Seventy-eight retracted articles were included. Extracted data included article title, journal, authors’ country, publication date, retraction date, retraction notice text, stated reason for retraction, journal impact factor, total citations, and citations after retraction. Descriptive statistics were used. Multiple linear regression evaluated factors associated with time to retraction, and logistic regression evaluated factors associated with post-retraction citation. Results: In the 78 identified articles, the most common reasons for retraction were image duplication or image-related discrepancies (53.8%) and data-related inaccuracies or unreliable data (23.1%). Spain accounted for the largest proportion of retracted articles (56.4%), and Clinical Oral Implants Research had the highest number of retractions. The mean time between publication and retraction was 4.44 ± 3.70 years. Despite retraction, articles continued to be cited, receiving a mean of 6.89 ± 8.26 citations after retraction. Logistic regression showed that the publication-to-retraction interval was the only significant predictor of post-retraction citation (odds ratio, 0.645; P = 0.001). Conclusion: Retractions in dental implantology research represent a serious threat to research integrity and highlight the risk of flawed evidence persisting in the literature. Enhanced editorial vigilance, rigorous research integrity training, and faster retraction protocols are essential to safeguard evidence-based dental practice.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the cross-national estimates of substance use, explore problematic substance use patterns among adolescents across countries and over time, and examine the relationship of individual characteristics on substance use patterns. Methods: This study employed a time-series secondary data analysis spanning from 2014 to 2021 across four countries (United States, Canada, England, and South Korea). We analyzed the usage of five substances (alcohol, binge drinking, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and illicit drugs) alongside demographic characteristics. A descriptive analysis was performed to identify estimates of substance use across countries. Latent class analysis was employed to examine adolescents’ substance use patterns across time and countries. A multinomial logistic regression model was fit to assess the relationship between latent class and demographic characteristics. Results: Adolescents in the United States and Canada had the highest substance use, while Korean adolescents had the lowest, particularly concerning drugs. Latent class analysis revealed two classes (light-user and heavy-user), with the addition of a third class (moderate-user) in some instances. The substance use patterns, while differing significantly among nations, exhibited consistency over time. During COVID-19, a decrease in heavy-substance users was observed across countries. Male or older participants were more likely to belong to the heavy-user class. Conclusion: This research offers valuable insights into the variations in substance use patterns between nations and over time. A tailored approach is essential to prevent adolescents from becoming heavy-substance users. This approach should consider country regulations and demographics for a targeted and comprehensive preventive strategy.

Purpose: Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experience a variety of symptoms. This descriptive correlational study aimed to determine the prevalence of symptoms and the physiological and situational factors associated with these symptoms in ICU patients. Methods: We analyzed the Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) of 1,214 cases admitted to and discharged from the ICUs of a university hospital in Seoul over a 1-year period from June to September 2022. This analysis utilized standardized instruments embedded in EMRs and a natural language analysis framework developed by the researchers. Descriptive statistics, the χ2 test, the Fisher exact test, and multivariate logistic regression were employed to identify common symptoms and their related factors. Results: In total, 85.7% of the cases had at least one symptom during their ICU stay, and 36.6% experienced 2 symptoms. Pain was the most frequently experienced symptom, affecting 69.5% of cases, followed by agitation (29.7%), dyspnea (29.7%), and delirium (4.8%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the length of ICU stay influenced pain (odds ratio [OR]=1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02~1.06; p<.001), delirium (OR=1.08; 95% CI, 1.06~1.11; p<.001), agitation (OR=1.07; 95% CI, 1.05~1.10; p<.001), and dyspnea (OR=1.19; 95% CI, 1.13~1.26; p<.001). Conclusion: Pain, agitation, and dyspnea are common in ICU patients and are associated with the length of their ICU stay. Our study identifies factors related to these symptoms that could be targeted to manage and reduce their occurrence, providing a foundation for future research on various symptom assessment tools and natural language transcripts.

This study aims to identify whether unique anxiety profiles in school-age children and parents exist, and to determine whether these profiles differ from each other based on anxiety control beliefs (ACB) and parenting behavior. A total of 265 children (C) in grades 4 to 6 and their mother (M) and father (F) participated in this study. Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed three anxiety profiles: (1) C high-MF mid profile, (2) CMF low profile, and (3) F high-CM mid profile. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed profile differences except for mother’s negative behavior. It is suggested that children’s cognitive vulnerability and parenting behaviors were likely to aggravate anxiety issues within a family contexts.

Although news coverage plays a critical role in shaping public awareness of the health crisis, little research has been done about the determinants of international news coverage on the global epidemic. This study examined the differences in ‘the volume of news coverage’ and ‘frames’ about 2015 South Korea’s MERS outbreak between Yonhap News in South Korea, Xinhua in China, and Associated Press in the United States. The results revealed that the geographical distance was more influential in the news volume of global health than the prior experience of the infectious issue. The closer the epidemic occurred, the more news articles were released, and the more diplomatic relations frame appeared. Differences depending on the issue attention stage, such as the waxing phase, the maintenance phase, and the waning phase, were also investigated.

Citation patterns of Korean scientists are investigated by analyzing the references of the papers authored by Korean chemists and published in two journals of different standing. Particular interest is given to how frequently Korean researchers quote the papers written by other Korean researchers and whether there is any difference in the citation pattern when Korean researchers publish their papers in a top international journal or in a domestic journal. Two journals in the category of multidisciplinary chemistry, the Journal of the American Chemical Society and the Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society, are chosen and a detailed analysis of the references of the papers written by Korean authors in 2015 was performed. The author self-citation rate is found to be much larger than the citation rate of other Korean authors. It is also found that the percentage of self-citations and the percentage of the references by Korean authors excluding self-citations are both significantly larger in the Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society than in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Interpretations of the results based on social exchange theory are proposed.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the patterns of antecedents of catastrophic reactions(CRs) in nursing home residents with dementia in the United States. Methods A total of 229 catastrophic reaction events were the sample for this study. Ten antecedent variables were selected and analyzed using cluster analysis to address the patterns of antecedents of CRs in dementia. Data were obtained from field observation and a structured recording form over a 6-week period covering all 7 days of the week and all three shifts (i.e., 21 shifts in total) in two nursing homes in the United States. Results This study showed that there were two distinct patterns of antecedent conditions at the time of, or immediately prior to, CRs in dementia: (a) a cluster of antecedents that consists of components of the physical environment including public location, olfactory stimulation, use of media, sundowning hours, and being in a dementia unit (“Stimulation in Early Evening”); and (b) a cluster of antecedents that is composed of mixed components of the physical and social environment including olfactory stimulation, activities of daily living (ADL)-related care activities, demands of tasks, and being in a dementia unit(“Stress due to Care, Tasks, and Odors”). Conclusion The findings suggest that elders who are exposed to overstimulation in sundowning hours or experience stress from care activities and task performance beyond their baseline competency are likely to be at risk of presenting with CRs. Health care providers need to be aware that a CR is a multi-factorial phenomenon in which multiple contextual antecedents are involved and that creation of a therapeutic physical and social milieu is an important nursing goal in preventing the occurrence of CRs in nursing home residents with dementia.

Purpose: This study analyzed retraction patterns and regional nuances in the five African countries with the highest scientific output?South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Morocco? to inform integrity policies. Methods: Retraction dynamics were examined using data from Scopus, SciVal, and the Retraction Watch Database. Results: Substantial variation was observed in retraction rates, with Egypt showing an exceptionally high rate, nearly eight times that of South Africa, and reaching a peak of 35 retractions per 10,000 publications in 2022. This increase was strongly associated with collaborations with Saudi Arabia, as 75% of Egypt’s retractions involved co-authorship with Saudi researchers. Unreliable or fraudulent content remained the most common retraction reason across all countries, with paper mills and randomly generated content being major contributors. Although falsification and manipulation occurred, they were less frequent overall. Plagiarism was particularly prominent in research from Tunisia (29.6%) and Morocco (30.3%), while duplication was most common in research from Egypt (25.5%) and Morocco (24.2%). Fake peer review constituted a major problem in Tunisia (34.6%) and Egypt (31.1%). Authorship issues were most frequently observed in studies from Nigeria (19.0%) and Tunisia (21.0%), and ethical issues appeared to be relatively infrequent across the region. Retractions disproportionately affected Q1 and Q2 journals and spanned a wide range of disciplines, with medicine and engineering being the most impacted. Notably, retracted articles continue to accumulate citations after retraction, indicating persistent challenges in research integrity. Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for strengthened research oversight and expanded ethics training to address the concerning retraction trends observed, particularly in Egypt and in collaborative research with Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify small for gestational age (SGA) infants' growth patterns, nutritional status, and associated factors. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at primary-care child health clinics in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The sample consisted of infants who fulfilled the criteria and were born in 2019. The anthropometric data of infants were assessed at birth and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results: A total of 328 infants were analysed. In total, 27.7%(n=91) of the subjects were SGA infants, and 237 of them were not. Significant differences in the median weight-for-age and length-for-age z-scores were observed between SGA and non-SGA infants at birth, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. There was a significant difference between the growth patterns of SGA and non-SGA infants. Birth weight and sex significantly predicted the nutritional status(stunting and underweight) of SGA infants during their first year of life. Conclusion: SGA infants can catch up to achieve normal growth during their first year of life. Even though the nutritional status of SGA infants trends worse than non-SGA infants, adequate infant birth weight monitoring and an emphasis on nutritional advice are crucial for maintaining well-being.

Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]) can stimulate Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling pathways. In this study, DF-1 cells were treated with poly(I:C) at various concentrations and time points to examine the comparative expression patterns of innate immune response genes. The viability of DF-1 cells decreased from 77.41% to 38.68% when cells were treated different dose of poly(I:C) from 0.1 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL for 24 h respectively. The expressions of TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR15, TLR21, IL1B, and IL10 were increased in dose- and time-dependent manners by poly(I:C) treatment. On the contrary, the expression patterns of interferon regulatory factors 7 (IRF7), Jun proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (JUN), Nuclear Factor Kappa B Subunit 1 (NF-κB1), and IL8L2 were varied; IRF7 and IL8L2 were increasingly expressed whereas the expressions of JUN and NF-κB1 were decreased in a dose-dependent manner after they were early induced. In time-dependent analysis, IRF7 expression was significantly upregulated from 3 h to 24 h, whereas JUN and NF-κB1 expressions settled down from 6 h to 24 h after poly(I:C) treatment although they were induced at early time from 1 h to 3 h. Poly(I:C) treatment rapidly increased the expression of IL8L2 from 3 h to 6 h with a plateau at 6 h and then the expression of IL8L2 was dramatically decreased until 24 h after poly(I:C) treatment although the expression level was still higher than the non-treated control. These results may provide the basis for understanding host response to viral infection and its mimicry system in chickens.

Objective To present the branching patterns and anatomical course of the common fibular nerve (CFN) and its relationship with fibular head (FH). Methods A total of 21 limbs from 12 fresh cadavers were dissected. The FH width (FH_width), distance between the FH and CFN (FH_CFN), and thickness of the nerve were measured. The ratio of the FH_CFN to FH_width was calculated as follows: <1, cross type and ≥1, posterior type. Angle between the CFN and vertical line of the lower limb 5 cm proximal to the tip of the FH was measured. Branching patterns of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the calf (LCNC) were classified into four types according to its origin and direction as follows: type 1a, lateral margin of the CFN; type 1b, medial margin of the CFN; type 2, lateral sural cutaneous nerve (LSCN); and type 3, CFN and LSCN. Results In the cross type (15 cases, 71.4%), the ratio of FH_CFN/FH_width was 0.83 and the angle was 13.0°. In the posterior type (6 cases, 28.6%), the ratio was 1.04 and the angle was 11.0°. In the branching patterns of LCNC, type 2 was the most common (10 cases), followed by types 1a and 1b (both, 5 cases). Conclusion Location of the CFN around the FH might be related to the development of its neuropathy, especially in the cross type of CFN. The LCNC showed various branching patterns and direction, which could be associated with difficulties of electrophysiologic testing.

Background: The physiologic characteristics of the cashmere trait and many of the differentially expressed genes relevant to hair cycling have been extensively studied, whereas genes involved in the prenatal development of hair follicles have been poorly investigated in cashmere goats. The aim of this study, therefore, was to quantify the time-course changes in the expressions of TRα and CRABPII genes in the fetal skin of Chinese cashmere goats at the multiple embryonic days (E70, E75, E80, E90, E100, E120 and E130) using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: RT-qPCR showed that TRα was expressed at E70 with relatively high level and then slightly decreased (E75, E80, and E90). The highest expression of TRα mRNA was revealed at E130 (P > 0.05). The expression pattern of CRABPII mRNA showed an ‘up-down-up’ trend, which revealed a significantly highest expression at E75 (P < 0.05) and was down-regulated during E80 to E120 (P < 0.05) and mildly increased at E130, subsequently. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that TRα and CRABPII genes expressed in different levels during prenatal development of cashmere. The present study will be helpful to provide the comprehensive understanding of TRα and CRABPII genes expressions during cashmere formation and lay the ground for further studies on their roles in regulation of cashmere growth in goats.

Objective To demonstrate the bifurcation pattern of the tibial nerve and its branches.Methods Eleven legs of seven fresh cadavers were dissected. The reference line for the bifurcation point of tibial nerve branches was an imaginary horizontal line passing the tip of the medial malleolus. The distances between the reference line and the bifurcation points were measured. The bifurcation branching patterns were categorized as type I, the pattern in which the medial calcaneal nerve (MCN) branched most proximally; type II, the pattern in which the three branches occurred at the same point; and type III, in which MCN branched most distally.Results There were seven cases (64%) of type I, three cases (27%) of type III, and one case (9%) of type II. The median MCN branching point was 0.2 cm (range, ?1 to 3 cm). The median bifurcation points of the lateral plantar nerves and inferior calcaneal nerves was -0.6 cm (range, ?1.5 to 1 cm) and ?2.5 cm (range, ?3.5 to ?1 cm), respectively. Conclusion MCN originated from the tibial nerve in most cases, and plantar nerves were bifurcated below the medial malleolus. In all cases, inferior calcaneal nerves originated from the lateral plantar nerve. These anatomical findings could be useful for performing procedures, such as nerve block or electrophysiologic studies.

Purpose: The purpose of this micro-ethnography is to examine whether science and societal changes impact family communication patterns among a convenience sample of 16 Korean women. Methods: The authors observed family communication in the context of a new breast cancer genetic screening and diagnostic testing program to detect BRCA gene mutations in Korean women at highest risk. Results: Analysis of in-depth interviews and field notes taken during participant observation illustrated that communication patterns in families vary according to a woman’s position in the family. If a grandmother tests positive for a gene mutation, her daughters make decisions on her behalf; they open and maintain the communication channel among family members. If a housewife is diagnosed with cancer and a genetic mutation, she immediately consults her husband and her sisters. The husband creates an open communication channel between his wife, his parents and his siblings. As a result, a woman’s cancer is a concern for the whole family not merely a woman’s secret or crisis. Conclusion: Cultural differences are important to consider when designing new genetic service programs in different countries.