• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.412-416
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• 2007

Background: The possibility of developing pulmonary tuberculosis usually increases with increasing age. Therefore, the incidence of endobronchial tuberculosis in older people may increase. We evaluated the clinical characteristics in patients with endobronchial tuberculosis above the age of 70 years. Methods: We enrolled 74 patients (12 males and 62 females; mean age $64.6{\pm}16.2 $years) that were diagnosed with endobronchial tuberculosis from March 2003 to July 2006 at Gyeongsang University Hospital. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics of endobronchial tuberculosis for patients 70 years or older (older group) and for patients below the age of 70 years (younger group). Results: The number of patients in the older group was 41 (55%). Cough was the most common symptom in the two groups of patients and dyspnea on exertion was more common in the older group of patients than in the younger group of patients (31.7% vs. 12.1%). The actively caesating type of disease was more common in the younger group of patients than in the older group of patients (66.7% vs. 39%). The edematous type of disease was more common in the older group of patients than in the younger group of patients (53.7% vs. 27.2%) (p<0.05). Tracheal and main bronchial involvement of lesions were more common for the younger group of patients than for the older group of patients (30.3% vs. 9.7%) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Endobronchial tuberculosis was commonly observed in patients older than 70 years and this group of patients had some clinical characteristics that were different from the younger group of patients.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2011

This study aimed to examine foundational data for container seedling production with the subject of Daphniphyllum macropodum community in Mt. Naejang National Park. To achieve the goal, it investigated the growth characteristics of young tree seedlings growing in places with different light intensity environment. Regarding the growth environment of Daphniphyllum macropodum community, it was typical heavy rain summer climate, and the soil was silt loam with the organic content as 11.42~15.61%, total nitrogen as 0.50~0.76%, cation exchangeable capacity (C.E.C) as 18.92~23.32 cmol/kg, and pH as 4.85~5.58. About light intensity environment changed by research plots, relative transmittance of solar radiation was 71~76% in plot A, 37~42% in plot B, 65~70% in plot C, and 28~33% in plot D. The seedlings tended to be intensively distributed either under the crown of their mother tree or in the slope site, and plot A and C where light intensity environment is relatively more favorable showed 1,550 tree/ha and 1,250 tree/ha. Total biomass production of Daphniphyllum macropodum seedlings was 5.37 g in plot A and 5.29 g in plot C, so they were higher than 4.42~4.51 g in plot B and D with relatively less favorable light intensity environment. The T/R ratio was 1~2, leaf area rate was $139.71{\sim}183.50cm^2{\cdot}g^{-1}$, leaf area ratio was $39.68{\sim}60.66cm^2{\cdot}g^{-1}$, and leaf dry weight ratio grew higher in the range of $0.28{\sim}0.33cm^2{\cdot}g^{-1}$ as the intensity of radiation became less. It is thought that in the generation and growth of Daphniphyllum macropodum seedlings, the intensity of light has more effects than the organic content in soil. And it is also thought that in the application of container seedlings production, light environment management over 65~70% to full sun light intensity will affect significantly the initial growth of Daphniphyllum macropodum.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2002

Background: DNA repair plays a crucial role in protecting the genome from cancer-causing agents. Therefore, a reduced DNA repair capacity can increase the susceptibility to cancer. The human OGG1 (hOGG1) gene encodes DNA glycosylase/apurinic lyase and excise 8-hydroxyguanine, one of the major premutagenic DNA lesions, which is produced by oxygen radical forming agents including smoking. Recently several polymorphisms in the hOGG1 gene were identified, and it is possible that these polymorphism') may affect the DNA repair capacity and thus modulate cancer susceptibility. The relationship between the codon 326 polymorphism (Ser to Cys) in the hOGG1 gene and lung cancer risk was investigated. Materials and Method: The Ser326Cys genotypes were determined using PCR-RFLP analysis in 299 primary lung cancer patients and 186 healthy controls who were frequency (case:control=3:2) matched according to age and sex. Result: The frequencies of the Ser326Cys genotypes (Ser/Ser, Ser/Cys and Cys/Cys) among cases (23.4%, 51.8%, and 24.7%, respectively) were not significantly different from those among the controls (22.6%,52.1% and 25.3%, respectively). When the analyses were stratified according to age, sex, smoking status and packyears of smoking, no significant association between this polymorphism and lung cancer risk was found. Moreover, the Ser326Cys genotype showed no apparent relationship with any of the histological types of lung cancer. Conclusion: These result suggest that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism is not a major contributor to individual lung cancer susceptibility in Koreans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.143-156
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• 2014

We reviewed investigation status on turbidity plume in the statement of marine environmental survey(2008 to 2012) associated with marine sand extraction projects. The survey statement from seven marine sand extraction sites (extraction area of Southern EEZ, extraction area of Western EEZ, relocation zone in the Western EEZ, sea area under jurisdiction of Taean-gun, sea area under jurisdiction of Ansan City, and two discrete sea areas under jurisdiction of Ongjin-gun) in the nearshore and offshore of Korea showed that in situ observations were carried out for the dispersion and transport of suspended sediments on two areas (One is a extraction area in the EEZs, the other is an area of coastal sites). However, sampling station and range have not been selected considering physical, geographical factors (tide, wave, stratification, water depth, etc.) and weather conditions (wind direction and velocity, fetch, duration, etc). Especially turbidity plumes originating from three sources, which include suspended sediments in overflow(or overspill) discharged from spillways and reject chutes of dredging vessel, and resuspended sediments from draghead at the seabed, may be transported to a far greater distance outside the boundary of the extraction site and have undesirable impacts on the marine environment and ecosystem. We address that behaviour of environmental pollutants such as suspended solids, nutrients, and metals should be extensively monitored and diagnosed during the dispersion and transport of the plume. Finally we suggest the necessity to supplement the current system of the sea area utilization consultation and establish the combined guidelines on marine sand extraction to collect basic data, to monitor cumulative effects, and to minimize environmental damages incurred by the aftermath of sand extraction.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.223-237
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• 2008

The purpose of this research was to provide the information needed for improving the contents in housing unit of middle school technology and home economic textbook. For this purpose, a survey questionnaire was developed to examine teachers' importance perception of 48 contents in housing unit. A direct survey and an e-mail survey were used to collect data from teachers, and a total number of 233 data were analyzed. Conclusions were summarized as following: 1. Among the 48 contents in housing unit, the average score of teachers' importance perception of the 18 contents on 'interior environment and equipments' was 3.94; the average score of teachers' importance perception of the 15 contents on 'living space plan and use' was 3.78; and the average score of teachers'importance perception of the 15 content on 'housing maintenance and repair' was 3.42. Therefore, the 15 contents on 'housing maintenance and repair' must be revised. 2. Teachers' importance perception of 25 contents, among the 48 contents in housing unit, were significantly differentiated by gender, age, teaching experience, scholastic attainment, subject in charge(technology, home economics, technology and home economics), school type(boys' middle school, girls' middle school, coeducation), and region(city, county). Therefore, the 25 contents, of which importance perception were influenced by teachers' characteristics, must be revised in order to maintain the consistent importance perception. Suggestions were that the team teaching of technology and home economic textbook was more recommendable; that the local situations must be considered in the contents of housing unit and; that the contents of housing unit must be segmented into a minimum unit for the accurate evaluation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.248-260
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• 2004

Background : As an effective regimen for isoniazid (INH)-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis, several treatment regimens have been recommended by many experts. In Korea, a standard regimen has not been established for INH-resistant tuberculosis, and the treatment by individual physicians has been performed on an empirical bases. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively describe the treatment characteristics and evaluate the treatment outcomes of patients with INH-resistant tuberculosis. Materials and Methods : Sixty of 69 patients reported to have INH-resistant tuberculosis from 1994 to 2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Exclusion criteria included: death from other causes, with the exceptions of tuberculosis and incomplete treatment, including a patient's transfer-out. Results : A previous tuberculosis history was found in 28 (46.7%) patients. The sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli was positive in 44 (73.3%) patients, and 30 (50.0%) had cavitary disease. Streptomycin resistance coexisted in 25.0% of isolates. INH was to be prescribed continuously, even after INH resistance was reported, in 86.0% of patients. The treatment regimens were diverse between the patients according to drug regimen composition and treatment duration. The most frequent prescribed regimen included rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide, with and without INH, for the full 12-month term of treatment. Treatment failure occurred in 13 (21.7%) patients. Cavitary disease (p=0.005) and a treatment regimen with second-line drugs, excluding rifampin (p=0.015), were associated with treatment failure. One patient experienced a relapse. Conclusions : Standardized treatment guidelines will be needed in Korea to improve the treatment efficacy for INH-resistant tuberculosis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.227-236
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• 2006

Purpose: Methylation of gene regulatory elements plays an important role in gene inactivation without genetic alteration. Gastric cancer is one of the tumors that exhibit a high frequency of CpG island hypermethylation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of CpG island hypermethylation in gastric carcinoma in relation to H. pylori infection, CIMP and clincopathologic variables. Materials and Methods: We investigated the promoter methylation Status of six genes (hMLH1, p16, p14, COX-2, MGMT, E-cadherin) and CIMP in 36 gastric carcinoma tissues as well as in nontumor tissues. CIMP status was investigated by examining the methylation status of MINT 1, 2, 12, 25 and 31. The methylation status of the promoter was examined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and H. pylori infection was examined by histological diagnosis after staining with Warthin-Starry silver. Results: Among the 36 gastric carcinoma tissues, DNA hypermethylation was detected in the following frequencies: 14 (38.9%) for p14, 13 (36.1%) for p16, 8 (22.2%) for MGMT, 10 (27.8%) for COX-2, 21 (58.3%) for E-cadherin, and 6 (16.7%) for hMLH1. The frequencies for MINT1 and MINT25 hypermethylation were significantly higher in tumor tissues than in nontumor tissues. 16 (44.4%) of the 36 gastric carcinoma tissues were positive for the CIMP CIMP-H tumors were associated with older patients and larger tumor size than CIMP-L tumors. We found a significant association between the presence of the CIMP and hypermethylation of p16. Hypermethylation of p16 and MINT2 were significantly different when compared by age. MINT1 gene methylation was significantly associated with H. pylori infection (P=0.004). Conclusion: Our results suggest that aberrant hypermethylation of multiple tumor related genes (hMLH1, p16, p14, COX-2, MGMT, E-cadherin, MINT1, 2, 12, 25, 31) occurs frequently in gastric carcinoma tissues. The hypermethylation of MINT1 was significantly higher in the tumor tissues and was associated with H. pylori infection.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.132-138
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• 2007

Purpose: In Korea, the number of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomies for early gastric cancer patients has been on the increase. Although minimally invasive surgery is more beneficial, no reported case of a total laparoscopic gastrectomy has been reported because of difficulty with intracorporeal anastomosis. This study attempts, through our experience, to determine the safety and feasibility of a total laparoscopic gastrectomy with various types of intracorporeal anastomosis using laparoscopic linears stapler in treating early gastric carcinomas. Materials and Methods: We investigated the surgical results and clinicopatholgical characteristics of 81 patients that underwent a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at our department between June 2004 and May 2007. The intracorporeal anastomoses were performed by using laparoscopic linear staplers. Results: The mean operative time was 287 minutes, the mean anastomotic time was 40 minutes, and the mean number of laparoscopic linear staplers used for an operation was 7.5. The mean time to the first flatus, the first food intake, and discharge from hospital was 2.9, 3.6, and 10.3 days respectively. There were 11 cases of postoperative complications, but no case of postoperative mortality or conversion to an open procedure. In 75 patients with an adenocarcinoma, the mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 38.1 and the stage distribution was as follows: stage I, 72 patients; stage II, 2 patients; stage IV, 1 patient. During the mean follow-up period of 14 months, 5 patients died of other causes and there were no cases of cancer recurrence. Conclusion: A total laparoscopic gastrectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis by using a laparoscopic linear stapler was found to be safe and feasible. We were able to obtain acceptable surgical outcomes in terms of minimal invasiveness.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.139-145
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• 2007

Purpose: An uncut Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy has been known to be effective in preventing bile reflux gastritis in the remnant stomach and the Roux stasis syndrome. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the usefulness of a totally laparoscopic uncut Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy (TLuRYGJ) after a distal gastrectomy, we reviewed the medical records of 19 consecutive patients that underwent a TLuRYGJ at our institution, and 11 consecutive patients who underwent a totally laparoscopic Billroth I gastrectomy (TLB-I) during the same period. Results: Postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms related to the postgastrectomy syndrome and the Visick classification at six months after surgery were not different in the two groups; however, there was no case of symptomatic bile reflux gastritis and only one case of delayed gastric empting, for which medication was required, in the TLuRYGJ group. The endoscopic findings of the remnant stomach for bile reflux gastritis at six months after surgery were better in the TLuRYGJ group than in the TLB-I group. Conclusion: A TLuRYGJ was found to be effective in preventing bile reflux gastritis and the Roux stasis syndrome.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.176-181
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• 2008

Purpose: The adipocyte-derived cytokine leptin plays a major role in the control of stable body weight by suppressing food intake and increasing energy metabolism. Leptin regulates the cell proliferation of various epithelial cells and it may be involved in the promotion of cancer. Leptin and its receptor are highly expressed in gastric adenocarcinoma, but the association between the serum leptin level and the tissue expression of leptin is uncertain. We evaluated the serum leptin level and the expressions of leptin and leptin receptor in gastric cancer, and we explore the possible mechanism and role of leptin in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: 72 carcinomas that were curatively resected at our hospital from October 2005 to March 2007 were included in this study. By immunoassay and immunohistochemical staining, we evaluated the serum leptin level and the expressions of leptin and its receptor, and we analyzed their relationship together with the clinicopathological variables. Results: The serum leptin level was increased as the patient's BMI increased and it was decreased in H. pylori infected patients. The expression of leptin was increased as the TNM stage increased (P=0.014), and the expression of leptin receptor in the intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma was higher than that in the diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma (71.4% vs 28.6%, respectively, P=0.033). Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between the serum leptin level and expression of leptin in gastric cancer patients. The expression of leptin was associated with the TNM stage, but its role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer has to be elucidated.