• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.35-40
• /
• 2013

Recently, the uses of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) for radiation treatment simulation and planning which is used for intensity modulated radiation therapy with high technique are increasing. Because of the increasing uses of MDCT, additional doses are also increasing. The objective of this study is to evaluate the absorbed dose of body and skin undergoing in MDCT scans. In this study, the exposed dose at the surface and the center of the cylindrical water phantom was measured using an pencil ionization chamber, 30 cc ionization chamber and TL Powder. The results of MDCT were 31.84 mGy, 33.58 mGy and 32.73 mGy respectively. The absorbed dose at the surface showed that the TL reading value was 33.92 mGy from MDCT. These results showed that the surface dose was about 3.5% from the MDCT exposure higher than a dose which is located at the center of the phantom. These results mean that the total exposed dose undergoing MDCT 4 times (diagnostic, radiation therapy planning, follow-up et al.), is about 14 cGy, and have to be considered significantly to reduce the exposed dose from CT scan.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.61 no.4
• /
• pp.290-296
• /
• 2016

Green manure has been used as alternative to chemical fertilizer. To evaluate the effect of green manure on the chemical properties of top-soil and sorghum yield, hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth, HV), manure barley (MB), and a mixture of hairy vetch and manure barley (HV+MB) were incorporated into the soil at a rate of $100kg-N\;N\;ha-1$ before the sorghum was transplanted. Total biomass of sorghum grown in the HV, MB, and HV+MB treatments was 13.1, 31.6, and $25.2t\;ha^{-1}$, respectively, and the nitrogen production of the treatments was 81, 74, and $145kg\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. The SPAD value of the uppermost leaf of sorghum plants grown in the soils with HV, MB, or HV+MB were very similar until heading stage; however, at maturity, the SPAD value of sorghum cultivated in the soils with HV was lower than that of sorghum in the soils with MB or HV+MB. This could be because the nitrogen release from HV was too rapid to supply nitrogen to sorghum during the later stage of grain filling. Compared with chemical fertilizers, the incorporation of green manure increased the pH, exchangeable cations ($K^+$, $Mg{^{+}^{+}}$, and $Ca{^{+}^{+}}$), and total nitrogen in soil postharvest, indicating an improvement in soil chemical properties. Total carbon content increased in soil with green manure incorporated, but decreased in the chemical fertilized soil, suggesting that sorghum cultivation using green manure may sequester carbon in soils. The yield of sorghum cultivated with green manure was not different from the yield of sorghum cultivated with chemical fertilizers. These results suggest that the mixture of hairy vetch and manure barley can be a useful chemical fertilizer alternative in sorghum cultivation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.7
• /
• pp.636-642
• /
• 2007

Purpose : Fluconazole prophylaxis for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants has been shown to reduce invasive fungal infection and its mortality. This study aims to evaluate the effect of fluconazole prophylaxis in VLBW infants on the incidence and mortality of fungal infection. Methods : VLBW infants with endotracheal intubation and central vascular access admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Chonnam University Hospital were enrolled. Twenty eight infants of 7-month baseline period from January to July 2005 ('non-fluconazole group') were compared with 29 infants of a 7-month fluconazole period from January to July 2006 ('fluconazole group'). Results : Gestational age, birth weight, sex, mode of delivery, frequency of twin pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, antenatal steroid and rupture of membranes were similar between the fluconazole and non-fluconazole groups. The rate of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, frequency and duration of prophylactic antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition and umbilical catheters, duration of intralipid, mechanical ventilation and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were also not significant. However, frequency of percutaneous central venous catheterization (PCVC) and intralipid administration, and duration of PCVC were significant between the two groups. The overall incidence and mortality of fungal infection were not different between the two groups. Although the Malassezia infection was increased in the fluconazole group (P<0.05), candida was significantly decreased compared to the non-fluconazole group (P<0.05). Conclusion : Fluconazole prophylaxis in high risk VLBW infants decreased the candida infection significantly. Antifungal prophylaxis is recommended in terms of cost effectiveness, but further study is needed to clarify the reason for the increase of Malassezia infection.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.59-75
• /
• 2005

The experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effects of Bosaengtang in pregnant rats and fetuses. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with Bosaengtang at the dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at the 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Fetuses were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. Fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S, and observed skeletal malformations. The results obtained were as follows : Bosaengtang administered group showed higher maternal body weight than the control group, but both groups showed increase in weight. Bosaengtang administered group showed lower than the control group, and higher liver and kidney weight than the control group, but the differences were minimal. There were no significant changes between the control and treated group in blood chemistry values and hematological values but all the groups were within in normal ranges. There were no significant changes in the number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetus and implantation rate, delivery rate, late resorption rate, sex ratio, but Bosaengtang administered group showed higher early resorption rate than control group. comparing the control and Bosaengtang group, neonatal body weight and the number of fetuses were increased in Bosaengtang group. The fetuses of dams treated with Oriental medicine didn't showed external malformation. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Bosaengtang group, but the differences were not apparent compared to the control group. The number of ribs, cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were normal. The number of sacral was similar and the number of caudal was increased. Fetuses showed significant difference in the number of caudal vertebrae. (P<0.01) From these results, we can carefully conclude that Bosaengtang showed beneficial effects on maternal body weight, early resorption rate, number of live fetus. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematoscopy, reproduction organs. External malformation wasn't visible. Skeletal variations were showed in vertebrae and sternum but compared to the control group, these variations weren't much different.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.141-156
• /
• 2004

Objectives : JianTeng-Yuan(交藤圓) is said to be a prescription for preservation of health in ${\ulcorner}$HuaTuo ZhongZangJing(華陀 中藏經)${\lrcorner}$. It is known to have the effect of Bu-Shen(補腎: strengthening kidney) and Yi-Shou(益壽: prolonging the span of one's life). This study investigates whether JTY is effective on inhibition of oxidation stress. Methods : Sprague-Dawley Rats(12-week-old, weight $300{\pm}20g$) were divided into 3 groups. Normal group(n=8) was injected PBS(1ml/body, s.c) at the back neck's skin. Control group(n=8) was injected D-galactose(50mg/kg, 1ml PBS/body, s.c) to induce pathological animals. JTY group was injected the same treatment for the Control group, and fed containing JTY(10%). The whole groups were treated 1 time per day for 6 weeks. After rats were sacrificed and anti-oxidant enzyme(SOD, CAT, G-px) activity, GSH quantity of RBC and tissue(heart, liver and kidney), plasma Vit-C quantity were examined. Besides, the MDA levels of liver and kidney, lipofuscin of heart and endurance of erythrocyte membrane were measured. Results : In the JTY group, RBC's SOD activity decline was halted by 21% of the normal level, compared to the control group ; G-px activity(unit/g of Hb) increased significantly, compared to the normal group ; and the level of Vit-C in plasma increased by 16%. Heart's SOD activity was kept at the same level as that of the normal group ; and CAT activity decline was halted by 26%. Kidney's CAT and G-px activities were kept at the same level as that shown in the normal group, implying the existence of halting effect. Liver also showed a slight halting effect against the decline of anti-oxidant ability, but the effect was not significant(a=0.05). A comparison between the levels of peroxide in SD rats showed that the level of TBARS in plasma increased significantly in the control group and that it was normal in the JTY group. The livers in the JTY group, compared to those in the control group, showed 36% halting effect of the normal level while their kidney's indicated the level significantly lower than the normal level. Heart's lipofuscin increased significantly in the control group, but was alike in both the JTY and the normal groups. Endurance of erythrocyte membrane(%) decreased significantly in the control group while it was kept at the similar level in both the JTY and the normal groups, indicating the halting effect. Conclusions : This study suggests that JTY is effective to defend oxidation stress caused by D-galactose in the animals. It showed that the anti-oxidant ability was maintained and strengthened. On the other hand, it reduced the level of peroxide in animals. In sum, JTY appeared to have the equilibrium normal physiological function in SD rat.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.26 no.1 s.41
• /
• pp.110-125
• /
• 1993

This study was designed to determine whether non-violent criminal and normal control on the basis of concentration of levels of trace mineral and toxic metal by analysis of human scalp hair. The subjects were selected 87 nonviolent criminal from a prison population and 120 normal control from periodic health checks for study. Hair samples were taken from the napes and Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI) was performed also. Five trace mineral (Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe, Na) and two toxic metal (lead, cadmium) contents were determined by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The contents of zinc and magnesium in hair of non-violent criminal were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.01). In the case of lead and cadimum, mean value of criminal group was significantly higher than control group. Significantly higher T-score of MMPI was seen in non-violent criminal group fur psychopathic deviate (Pd), paranoia scale (Pa), and Mania scale (Ma) than control group, but T-score of depression scale (D) was significantly higher in the control group. In the non-violent criminal group, the content of copper inversely proportion to T-score of Hs, D, Hy, Pd, Mf, Pa, Pt, Sc, Si except Ma, also Zinc inversely proportion to T-score of Hy, Mf, Pa, Pt. These results suggest that difference of some hair mineral contents exist between criminal and normal control group. Thus further studies are necessary to determine whether violent and nonviolent criminal group attributed biochemical imbalance with carefully constructed and controlled studies.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.269-277
• /
• 2010

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for normal body function and functions as an essential constituent of selenoproteins. This study was carried out to investigate effect of selenium on the formation of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and tumor formation in a mouse model. Five-week old ICR mice were acclimated for one week and fed different selenium diet (0.02, 0.1, and 0.5 ppm) for 12 weeks. Animals received three intraperitoneal injections of azoxymethane (10 mg/kg B.W. in saline for 3 weeks), followed by 2% dextran sodium sulfate in the drinking water for a week. There were four experimental groups, including a normal control group and three different selenium levels groups. After sacrifice, the total numbers of aberrant crypt (AC) and ACF were measured in the colonic mucosa after methylene blue staining. The number of tumors was noted for tumor incidence. Liver selenium concentration was measured using ICP-AES method. Gutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was determined using a GPx assay kit in the liver and colon. TUNEL assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining were performed to examine the cell apoptosis and cell proliferation, respectively. Immunohistochemistry of $\beta$-catenin was also performed on the mucous membrane tissue of colon. The activity of GPx in the liver and colon was decreased in the selenium-deficient diet group while it was increased in the selenium-overloaded diet group. Apoptotic positive cells were increased in the selenium-overloaded diet group but decreased in the selenium-deficient diet group. PCNA staining area was decreased in the selenium-overloaded diet group. In addition, the $\beta$-catenin protein level in the selenium-deficient diet group was increased but decreased in the selenium-overloaded diet group. These results indicate that dietary selenium might exert a modulating effect on colon cancer by inhibiting the development of ACF and colon tumor formation in this mouse model.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.98-105
• /
• 1994

The search for tumor-avid agents for use in nuclear medicine imaging or therapy is a field of ongoing importance. Metallothionein (MT) is an intracellular protein that binds many metals with isotopes having imaging or radiotherapeutic potential. The purpose of the study was to determine whether uptake of radioisotopes that bind to MT is increased in tumor. We measured the uptake of Cd-109 and Ga-67 in tumor and normal tissues of sarcoma-bearing mice. Tumors were grown subcutaneously in female Balb/C mice from cultured Balb/3T3 cells transformed by the Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MMSV). When the tumors reached about 1 cm in diameter, mice were injected subcutaneously with Cd-109 and Ga-67. Eighteen and seventy-two hours later, the mice were sacrified. Organs and tissues were removed, weighed, and activity per mg tissue determined by gamma well-counting. Uptake of Cd-109 by MMSV tumors exceeded that by normal tissues examined, with the exception of liver and kidney (the organs known to be richest in MT). The tumor-to-tissue ratios of uptake for Cd-109 were far greater than those for Ga-67 for many normal tissues of great importance in terms of background activity (bone, intestine, fat, muscle, and blood). We concluded that metals that bind to MT may be useful for oncologic imaging or rediotherapy of cancer.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.298-305
• /
• 2017

Benzovindiflupyr is a new pyrazole carboxamide fungicide that inhibits succinate dehydrogenase of mitochondrial respiratory chain. This study was carried out to develop an analytical method for the determination of benzovindiflupyr residues in agricultural commodities using LC-MS/MS. The benzovindiflupyr residues in samples were extracted by using acetonitrile, partitioned with dichloromethane, and then purified with silica solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. Correlation coefficient ($r^2$) of benzovindiflupyr standard solution was 0.99 over the calibration ranges ($0.001{\sim}0.5{\mu}g/mL$). Recovery tests were conducted on 5 representative agricultural commodities (mandarin, green pepper, potato, soybean, and hulled rice) to validate the analytical method. The recoveries ranged from 79.3% to 110.0% and then relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 9.1%. Also the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.0005 and 0.005 mg/kg, respectively. The recoveries of interlaboratory validation ranged from 83.4% to 117.3% and the coefficient of variation (CV) was 9.0%. All results were followed with Codex guideline (CAC/GL 40) and Ministry of Food and Safety guideline (MFDS, 2016). The proposed new analytical method proved to be accurate, effective, and sensitive for benzovindiflupyr determination and would be used as an official analytical method.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.206-215
• /
• 2008

Temporal and spatial distributions of salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and turbidity were investigated at seven sites in the upper regions of brackish Lake Sihwa with a limited water exchange, from March to October 2005. During the study period, salinity and temperature varied $0.1{\sim}29.9\;psu$ and $4.7{\sim}28.1^{\circ}C$, respectively, depending on seasons and sites sampled. A distinct halocline profile showing the maximum density gradient (difference over $20\;psu\;m^{-1}$ between surface and bottom layers) was observed during the rainy season, due to the decrease of salinity in surface layers by freshwater inflow. This result implies that rainfall event is the important factor forming the halocline. On the other hand, the depth and location of haloeline varied with the amount of seawater through the sluice gates and the operation systems (inflow or outflow). High DO (over 300% saturation) was observed at surface layer above the halocline in April when red tide occurred, whereas low DO (below 20% saturation) was at the bottom layer below the halocline in the rainy season. Turbidity ranged $1.5{\sim}80.3\;NTU$ showing the maximum turbidity at the layers above or upper the halocline. As a result, the distributions of DO and turbidity in the upper regions of brackish Lake Sihwa were largely affected by the variation of salinity. Also, when the halocline was formed, the water quality between upper and lower water layers may be expected completely different. This study suggests that the physicochemical characteristics of water in the brackish regions are closely associated with the causes of eutrophication such as red tide and DO deficit.