• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2000

The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the retention of the radiomercury among the organs in mice. We used the healthy ICR male mice and divided into two grouos. The experimental group was orally treated with squalene(200mg/kg of body weight) at two times a day(12 hrs interval) and radiomercury(0.005 uCi/g of body weight.) only one time. The control group was treated only with radiomercury as same amount of the experimental group. As the result, main retentive organs were kidney, liver, blood, heart and skull. In the control group, all of these organs showed high retention of the radiomercury at 6 hours, but in the experimental groups, all the organs significantly inhibit retention of the .radiomercury by squalene(p<0.05). We conclude that squalene inhibit retention of the radiomercury.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2024

Mercury is a chemical pollutant widely present in the environment. Humans are generally exposed to mercury in the form of organic Hg (methylmercury) through the consumption of seafood. Koreans enjoy eating fish therefore blood mercury concentration is usually higher than in developed countries. By investigating blood mercury concentration according to the frequency of seafood consumption and sociodemographic factors, we aimed to identify recent trends in blood mercury concentration in Korean adults. This study was conducted using KoNEHS cycle 4 (2018~2020) from the National Institute Environmental Research Survey. The geometric mean concentration of blood mercury of the subjects was 2.959 (±1.018) ㎍/L, which was significantly higher in men than in women. It was observed that as the frequency of fish and shellfish consumption increased, the blood mercury concentration increased. In adjusted logistic regression, fish consumption was associated with 36.7% increased risk of blood mercury levels [Odds ratio, 1.367; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.246~1.500], and shellfish consumption was associated with 26.5% increased risk of blood mercury levels [Odds ratio, 1.265; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.134~1.410]. Blood mercury concentration was also found to increase as the socioeconomic level increased. In conclusion, the geometric mean concentration of blood mercury was increased compared to the one in the 3rd KoNEHS (2015~2017) and seafood consumption and socioeconomic level were still significantly associated with increasing blood mercury concentration in Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage healthy seafood consumption habits and conduct continuous monitoring considering various factors to reduce blood mercury levels.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.744-755
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is considered a class I indication for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, there is little evidence regarding the potential benefits of early AVR in symptomatic patients diagnosed with normal-flow, low-gradient (NFLG) severe AS. Methods: Two-hundred eighty-one patients diagnosed with symptomatic NFLG severe AS (stroke volume index ≥35 mL/m², mean transaortic pressure gradient <40 mmHg, peak transaortic velocity <4 m/s, and aortic valve area <1.0 cm²) between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. After performing 1:1 propensity score matching, 121 patients aged 75.1±9.8 years (including 63 women) who underwent early AVR within 3 months after index echocardiography, were compared with 121 patients who received conservative care. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Results: During a median follow-up of 21.9 months, 48 primary outcomes (18 in the early AVR group and 30 in the conservative care group) occurred. The early AVR group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of primary outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.93; p=0.028); specifically, there was no significant difference in all-cause death (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.23-1.16; p=0.110), although the early AVR group showed a significantly lower incidence of hospitalization for HF (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.95, p=0.037). Subgroup analyses supported the main findings. Conclusions: An early AVR strategy may be beneficial in reducing the risk of a composite outcome of death or hospitalization for HF in symptomatic patients with NFLG severe AS. Future randomized studies are required to validate and confirm our findings.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.115-132
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• 1969

The normal physiological values of Korean mongrel dogs were studied, comparing them with foreign references, on the basis of control physiological data measured on 110 cases out of the dogs submitted to the experiments in our department. The hemodynamic measurements varied widely between the both limits of reported normal control data, with the mean value of heart rate $140.4{\pm}26.6$/min., and both the systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures $137.2{\pm}31.7$mmHg and $104.7{\pm}14.4$ mmHg, as well as the venous pressure of $9.11{\pm}2.18$ cm.$H_2O$. Hematologically, the number of red blood cells $4,571,000{\pm}767,000$per cu.mm., the amount of hemoglobin $11.57{\pm}3.74$ gm/dl and the hematocrit $37.3{\pm}7.2$ per cent, were equally the values a little lower than the reported normal means. However, the white blood cells were within the reported normal limits both in number, $10,384{\pm}4,877$ per cu. mm and their differential counts with slightly broader ranges of variation. The platelet count was $149,800{\pm}47,000 $per cu. mm and was also far below the normal, while the coagulation time $9.03{\pm}2.69$min. and the prothrombin time $13.17{\pm}6.52$sec were within normal limits, though a little prolonged. The serum electrolytes, Na $146.6{\pm}10.44$mEq/L.,K $4.46{\pm}0.84$mEq/L., CI $118.3{\pm}7.88$mEq/L. and Ca $11.45{\pm}5.62$mg./dl, and the blood glucose level of $94.9{\pm}31.79$mg./dl were essentially not different from the reported normal values. The serum proteins, total protein $7.15{\pm}1.41$gm/dl., albumin $4.09{\pm}0.77$gm./dl. and globulin $3.18{\pm}0.88$gm/dl. were included near the higher limits of the reported normal levels. The thymol turbidity 0.1-3.04 units were normal in 10 cases, and the cephaline flocculation was within normal range except 2 cases out of 26 dogs, showing two positive in 24 hours. And the nitrogen series, NPN $34.61{\pm}10.29$mg/dl. and BUN $12.77{\pm}6.37$mg./dl. were normal. It may be concluded that from the point of view of hereby measured physiological data compared with the foreign references, the Korean mongrel dogs have a compatible laboratory data with only the special regards to their tendency toward anemia in red blood cell series.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.481-485
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• 2012

Background: Tracheostomy is a common procedure for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, the timing of tracheostomy is quite variable. This study was performed to find out the factors determining the timing of tracheostomy in medical intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Patients who were underwent tracheostomy between January 2008 and December 2009 in the medical ICU of Seoul National University Hospital were included in this retrospective study. Results: Among the 59 patients, 36 (61.0%) were male. Median Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores on the admission day were 28 and 7, respectively. The decision of tracheostomy was made on 13 days, and tracheostomy was performed on 15 days after endotracheal intubation. Of the 59 patients, 21 patients received tracheostomy before 2 weeks (group I) and 38 were underwent after 2 weeks (group II). In univariate analysis, days until the decision to perform tracheostomy (8 vs. 14.5, p<0.001), days before tracheostomy (10 vs. 18, p<0.001), time delay for tracheostomy (2.1 vs. 3.0, p<0.001), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (19.0% vs. 2.6%, p=0.049), existence of neurologic problem (38.1% vs. 7.9%, p=0.042), APACHE II scores (24 vs. 30, p=0.002), and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ <300 mm Hg (61.9% vs. 91.1%, p=0.011) were different between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, APACHE II scores${\geq}20$ (odds ratio [OR], 12.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14~136.19; p=0.039) and time delay for tracheostomy (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.11~3.55; p=0.020) were significantly associated with tracheostomy after 2 weeks. Conclusion: APACHE II scores${\geq}20$ and time delay for tracheostomy were associated with tracheostomy after 2 weeks.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.541-545
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• 2002

Stability of Monascus pilosus pigment was investigated under various conditions. The concentration of the pigments stored under air and sub-atmosphere (250 mmHg) for 30 days at room temperature decreased by 77.9% and 48.4%, respectively. The pigment solution was stable under temperature ranges of $20-80^{\circ}C$, pH 4-8, darkness and presence of KCl, NaCl, $CaCl_2$, $MgCl_2$, and $ZnCl_2$. In contrast, the pigment solution was relatively unstable, decreasing in concentration by 6.0 and 11.6% at 100 and $121^{\circ}C$, 15.5 and 13.7% at pH 3 and 9, 22.9 and 66.8% under fluorescence and sun light, respectively, and 20.2% in the presence of $AlCl_3$.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.133-138
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• 2014

Purpose: If the survival of patients suffering from severe blunt trauma is to be improved, appropriate interventions should be taken immediately. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical utility of end-tidal carbon dioxide ($ETCO_2$) as a surrogate marker for predicting both the need for intervention and the prognosis. Methods: This is a prospective observational study. Nasal cannula was applied to measure $ETCO_2$, and the following parameters, which are known to be related to the prognosis for a patient, were recorded: injury severity score (ISS), revised trauma score (RTS), arterial blood gas (ABG), lactate, and hemoglobin (Hb). To evaluate the outcome, we investigated the details of emergent interventions and expired patients. Results: A total of 93 patients were enrolled in this study. Emergent intervention was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (sBP, p-value=0.001), $ETCO_2$ (p-value<0.001), serum lactate level (p-value<0.001), pH (p-value< 0.003), $HCO_3$ (p-value=0.004), base excess (p-value<0.002), ISS (p-value<0.001) and RTS (p-value=0.005). In the multivariate logistic regression, only $ETCO_2$ (odds ratio (OR): 0.897, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.792-0.975, p-value= 0.048) and ISS (OR: 1.132, 95% CI: 1.053-1.233, p-value=0.002) were associated with emergent intervention whereas $ETCO_2$ (p-value=0.973) and ISS (p-value=0.511) were not statistically significant in predicting the survival of patients in the univariate analysis. An optimal ETCO cut-off of 29 mmHg on the ROC curve was determined, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) being 0.824 (0.732-0.917)]. Conclusion: This study has revealed that $ETCO_2$, which can be rapid and easily measured through a nasal cannula, and the ISS may be prognostic indicators of emergent interventions in Emergency Departments.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.251-257
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• 1995

Three PEA (Pulverised Fuel Ash) samples, which were fresh, 17 and some 40 years weathered, were collected from two major British power plants. Batch leaching tests with these samples using distilled water and simulated industrial leachate showed higher amounts of element liberation from fresh ash, including Ca, Na, K, S (as $SO^{2-}_4$, $Cr_{total}$, Cu, Li Ni, Mo and CI and this seems to indicate their surface association and easier dissolution when contact with water. On the contrary Mg, Al, Ba, Si, V, As and Se do not show such readily leachable concentrations and these elements might be more associated with glass fraction in PFA particle rather than surface. Although element concentrations in the weathered ash are much lower than those in the initial leachate from the fresh ash, elements are still detected as resonable concentrations, with rather constant levels and this seems to demonstrate the element release from unstable glass phase of PFA particle. Fe, Ca, $Cr_{total}$, Cu, Ni, Zn and Hg were removed from the synthetic leachate by PFA and this is also confirmed by gain in solid PFA. The order of element retention is Meaford weathered ash > Drax weathered ash > Drax fresh ash in decreasing order and this conforms with the degree of weathering. Namely, the more wethered, the more wethered, the more effective in metal retention from the synthetic leachate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5081-5086
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• 2016

Background: Pathological factors, based mainly on immunohistochemistry (IHC) and histological differentiation, are mostly used to differentiate breast cancer (BC) subtypes. Our present aim was to describe the characteristics and survival of a relapsing BC patient cohort based on clinico-pathologic subtypes determined for the primary tumors. Methods: We used a clinico- pathological definition of BC subtypes based on histological grade (HG), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR),and epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) expression assessed by IHC. We determined variables associated with loco-regional recurrence (LRR), second primaries (SP), systemic recurrence (SR) and post-recurrence survival (PRS). Results: Out of 1,702 patients, 240 (14%) had an event defined as recurrence. Those with recurrent disease were significantly younger than those without,and were initially diagnosed at more advanced stages, with larger tumors, greater lymph nodal involvement and higher HG. With a median follow up of 61 months (1-250), 4.6% of patients without recurrence and 56.6% of patients with an event defined as recurrence had died. The median PRS for the LRR group was 77 months; 75 months for those who developed a SP and 22 months for patients with an SR (p <0.0001). In SR cases, the median PRS was shorter for ER- tumors than for ER+ tumors (15 vs. 26 months, respectively; p = 0.0019, HR 0.44; CI: 0.25-0.44). Conclusions: Subtype, defined through classic histopathologic parameters determined for primary tumors, was found to eb related to type of recurrence and also to prognosis after relapse.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.245-256
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• 2010

Objectives: This study aims to compare quality indicators for the hemodialysis services between patients with health insurance and those with medical aid. Methods: This study used data from sampled hospitals that provided a hemodialysis service. A total of 2287 patients were selected, and the information for hemodialysis service has been granted from medical record reviews. A multi-level regression analysis was used to examine the differences in process and outcome indicators for hemodialysis between patients with health insurance and those with medical aid. Process indicators were defined as: frequency of hemodialysis, hemodialysis time, erythropoietin (EPO) use, measurement of hemodialysis dose at least once a month, measurement of phosphate at least once every three months, and measurement of albumin at least once every three months. Outcome indicators were defined as: hemodialysis adequacy, anemia management, blood pressure management, and calcium, phosphate and nutrition management. The total scores for outcome indicators ranged from 0 (worst) to 4 (best). Results: There was a significant difference in the measurement of hemodialysis dose at least once a month between patients with health insurance and those with medical aid (OR 0.66, 95% CI = 0.43 - 0.99). However, frequency of hemodialysis, hemodialysis time, EPO use, measurement of phosphate at least once every three months, measurement of albumin at least once every three months, hemodialysis adequacy management, Hb${\geq}$11 g/dL, blood pressure within the range of 100-140 /60-90 mmHg, calcium x phosphate${\leq}$55 $g^2/dL^2$ and albumin${\geq}$4 g/dL were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in outcome indicators for hemodialysis between the groups. Further studies are warranted into the mechanism that results in no differences in the outcome indicators for hemodialysis.