• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.178-185
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Our aim was to investigate the predictive factors for detecting grade III-V vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in young infants less than 3 months with urinary tract infections (UTI). Methods : Data of infants who underwent ultrasonography and VCUG between January 2004 and September 2007 were reviewed. Age, gender, incidence of bacteremia, C-reactive protein(CRP) and imaging studies were compared between group I(grade III-V VUR) and group II (normal or grade I and II VUR) retrospectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, odds ratio, and likelihood ratio of ultrasonography for high grade VUR were evaluated. Results : Among 54 enrolled infants(41 males, 13 females), 14 infants were group I and 40 infants were group II. In the group I, CRP level was significantly higher(6.11$\pm$5.18 vs. 3.27$\pm$3.45, P=0.025), and there were more ultrasonographic abnormal findings(71.4%, vs. 22.5%, P=0.002) compared with group II. However, ultrasonography was the only significant factor after adjusting with logistic regression(P=0.002). Incidence of bacteremia and abnormal DMSA findings were not significantly different in two groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratio of ultrasonography was 71.4%, 77.5%, 6.9 respectively. Negative predictive value was 88.6% and negative likelihood ratio was 0.37. Ultrasonography had significant negative likelihood ratio for grade III-V VUR, but missed 4 infants with grade III VUR. Conclusion : We could not find any alternative predictive factors to reduce VCUG in detecting high grade VUR. Therefore, VCUG must be considered in young infants less than 3 months with UTI.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.127-144
• /
• 1979

Recent trend in the studies on the forming processes, chemical characteristics and chemical structure of humic substances with some discussions are reviewed and some arguments for the elucidation of the chemical structure of humic substances are summarized.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.159-165
• /
• 1998

Purpose : The best prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma can be achieved with surgical resection. However, the number of resected cases is limited due to the advanced lesion or associated liver disease. A trial of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) and local radiotherapy(RT) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) was prospectively conducted and its efficacy and toxicity were investigated. Materials and Methods : From 1992 to 1994, 30 Patients with unresectable HCC due either to advanced lesion or to associated cirrhosis were entered in the study Exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Child's class C, tumors occupying more than two-thirds of the whole liver, and an ECOG scale of more than 3. Patient cHaracteristics were : mean tumor size $8.95\pm3.4cm$, serum AFP+ in all patients, portal vein thrombosis in all patients, liver cirrhosis in 22 patients, and UICC stage III and IVA in 10 and 20 patients, respectively. TACE was performed with the mixture of Lipiodol(5ml) and Adriamycin(50mg) and Gelfoam embolizatin. RT(mean dose $44.0\pm9.3Gy$) 10 days with conventional fractionation. Results : An objective response was observed in 19 patients($63.3\%$). Survival rates at 1 2, and 3 years were $67\%,\;33.3\%$ and $22.2\%$, respectively. Median survival was 17 months. There were 6 patients surviving more than 3 years. Distant metastasis occurred in 10 patients, with 8 in the lung only and 2 in both lung and bone, Toxicity included transient elevation of liver function test in all patients, fever in 20, thrombocytopenia in 4, and nausea and vomiting in 1. There was no treatment-related death. Conclusion : Combined TACE and RT appear to produce a favorable response and survival results with minimal toxicity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.91-95
• /
• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the response and survival rate after three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3D-CRT) of patients with a solitary sternal relapse of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients between May 1996 and June 2005 were evaluated with the salvage 3D-CRT treatment of a solitary sternal relapse of breast cancer. The treatment fields included the gross tumor volume with 2 cm margins. The total radiation dose was $35.0{\sim}61.5$ Gy(biologic effective dose of $43.7{\sim}76.9Gy_{10}$ using an $\alpha/\beta$ ratio of 10 Gy), with a daily dose of $1.8{\sim}3.0$ Gy. The tumor response was evaluated by the change in maximum tumor size via follow up CT scans $1{\sim}3$ months after the completion of treatment. Results: An objective tumor response was achieved in all patients, with a complete response in 5 patients and a partial response in 12 patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 51.9%(median survival time: 27 months), and the most important factor affecting overall survival was the disease-free interval(interval from primary surgery of breast cancer to the development of sternal metastasis): The 5-year overall survival rate was 61.8% for patients with a disease-free interval ${\geq}12$ months and 0.0% for patients with disease-free interval <12 months(p=0.03). Conclusion: The response to 3D-CRT was good in patients with solitary sternal relapse of breast cancer. Particularly, patients with long disease-free interval from primary surgery survived significantly longer than patients with short disease-free interval from primary surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.169-177
• /
• 1985

The studies were carried out to obtain the basic data for maximizing the protoplast yields from the mycelia of P. ostreatus and P. sajor-caju. Some factors affecting the regeneration of the protoplast of both species and the productivity of their reversion were also examined. The maximum yields of protoplasts were obtained from four days cultured mycelia of both species on cellophan membrane placed on the surface of PSA or MCM media in a petri dish. The optimal concentration of lytic enzyme Novozym 234 for protoplast releasing was 5 mg per ml of 0.5 M phosphate buffer solution with 0.6 M sucrose or 0.6 M $MgSO_4$ at pH 6.0. The greatest number of protoplasts was released 3 hours after incubation of the mycelia of P. ostreatus and after 4 hours for the P. sajor-caju in the lytic enzyme solution. Among the osmotic stabilizer solutions tested 0.6 M sucrose and 0.6 M KCl showed the best regeneration rates of the protoplasts of both species. When 0.75 % agar solution was over-layed on the regeneration media immediately after inoculation of the protoplast the regeneration rates were greatly enhanced. The ampicillin added to the agar solution prevented bacteria from infection. The reverted isolates produced the sporophores and basidial spores just like their parents without any mutations when they were cultivated in a broad mouth bottle with sawdust substrates.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.36-45
• /
• 1984

This study was carried out to investigate the changes in ovary in repeatedly superovulated rabbits. A total of 57 New Zealand White and Californian, 25 mature virgin and 32 immature does were used in this study. For induction of repeated superovulation, PMSG and HCG were injected at 17-day and 30-day intervals for mature does and 17-day intervals for immature ones. The repeatedly superovulated does at 17-day intervals were induced luteolysis of pseudopregnant corpus luteum with PGF2${\alpha}$ on Day 8 to 9 p.c. The effect of repeated superovulation on reproductive organs was investigated on Day 3 p.c. in mature does and on Day 3 and 6 p.c. in immature ones, respectively. 1. In mature virgin does, the number of ovulation points in the 2nd and 3rd superovulation period averaged 7.0 and 5.0 at 17-day intervals and 13.4 and 6.0 at 30-day intervals, respectively. These numbers were statistically similar to 9.5 ovulation points in the control. However, there were less (p<0.05) ovulation points in those periods compared with 22.1 ovulation points in the 1st superovulation period. 2. In immature does, the number of ovulation points in the 2nd and 3rd superovulation period averaged 5.3 and 2.3, respectively. These numbers were significantly (p<0.05) decreased than 17.1 ovulation points in the 1st periods. The number of ovulation points in the 2nd superovulation period was similar to that in the control, but there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the number of ovulation points in the 3rd period as compared to the control. 3. In mature virgin does, the number of visible normal and hemorrhagic follicles (>1.0mm diameter) on day 3 p.c. averaged 19.1 and 8.9 in the 1st superovulation period, respectively. In the 2nd 3rd superovulation period, the number of normal follicles averaged 8.3 and 15.5 at 17-day intervals and 17.8 and 14.5 at 30-day intervals. The number of hemorrhagic follicles in the 2nd and 3rd superovulation period averaged 6.3 and 2.0 at 17-day intervals and 5.2 and 7.8 at 30-day intervals, respectively. There was a slight decrease, although not significant, in the number of normal and hemorrhagic follicles in the 2nd and 3rd period at 17-day intervals compared to that in the 1st period. 4. In immature does, the number of visible normal follicles on day 3 and day 6 p.c. in the 1st superovulation period averaged 27:3 and 26.1, respectively. The follicles on day 3 p.c. tended to increase slightly more than that in the cortrol, but the average number of normal follicles on day 6 p.c. did not differ from that in the control. The number of visible hemorrhagic follicles on day 3 and day 6 p.c. in the 1st of follicles in the 1st superovulation period average 10.2 and 9.9, respectively. There was a slight increase in the number of follicles in the 1st period compared to that in the control. In the 2nd and 3rd superovulation period, the number of normal follicles revealed a slight decrease in the 3rd period, but the number of hemorrhagic follicles was not different between periods. 5. The number of growing follicles with incipient intral formation on day 3 p.c. in mature does of the 1st superovulaton period average 29.7 and the average number of growing follicles in the 3rd period was 26.7 at 17-day intervals and 31.0 at 30-day intervals, respectively. These numbers did not differ from that in the control. In immature does, the number of growing follicles averaged 57.7, 45.0 and 59.3 in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd superovulation period, respectively. There was a slight but not significant decrease in the number of growing follicles in the 3rd period compared to that in the control.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.389-395
• /
• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the combined effect of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and Acetyl CoA Carboxylase-${\alpha}$ (ACACA) genes on carcass traits of Korean cattle (Hanwoo). A total of 1,057 commercial Hanwoo cattle provided by the NongHyup Livestock Research Center (NLRC) and Hanwoo Performance Competition (HPC) were used to analyze the effect of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within FASN (g.11280A>G, g.16024A>G, g.16039T>C, and g.17924A>G) and one SNP within ACACA (g.2274G>A) genes. In addition, the effect of genotypic combinations between FASN (g.17924A>G) and ACACA (g.2274G>A) SNPs has been studied with carcass traits. Significant associations were identified between g.17924A>G of FASN and carcass weight and back fat, and between the ACACA gene SNP g.2274G>A and longissimus muscle area with HPC samples. It was also found that both effects of FASN g.17924A>G and ACACA g.2274G>A polymorphisms were consistent in NLRC samples. Combined analyses of both NLRC and HPC samples also revealed the significant associations between the FASN g.17924A>G and carcass weight and back fat and between the ACACA g.2274G>A and back fat, respectively. The effect of the genotypic combination of g.17924A>G within FASN and g.2274G>A within ACACA genes showed that the combination of both GG genotypes of FASN and ACACA SNPs causes higher carcass weight and marbling score. The results of this study indicate that the two SNP markers within the FASN and ACACA genes can be utilized to select superior Hanwoo cows and calves in commercial Hanwoo farms.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.71-76
• /
• 2002

Several antagonistic bacteria, SD-1, 4, 10, 11, 14, 15, and 16, which have strong CMCase and amylase activities, were isolated from the fermented mushroom media. Among them, SD-1, 10, 11, and 15 have strong antibacterial activities against the mushroom pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas sp., and SD-1, 10, 11, 14, and 16 have strong antifungal activities against the mushroom pathogenic fungi, Trichoderma sp. SD-14, 15, and 16 did not inhibit the growth of mushroom Pleurotus eryngii ASI-2302, and Pleurotus ostreatus ASI-2042 and ASI-2180. When the culture broth mixture of the seven bacterial strains was applied to the mushroom media, the growths of pathogens, Pseudomonas sp. and Trichoderma sp., were inhibited.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.31-41
• /
• 2011

To optimize the natural chemical agents against nuisance phytoplankton, we examined algal removal activity (ABA) of Plant-Mineral Composite (PMC), which already developed by our teams (Kim et al., 2010), on various conditions. The PMC are consisted of extracted-mixtures with indigenous plants (Camellia sinensis, Quercusacutissima and Castanea crenata) and minerals (Loess, Quartz porphyry, and natural zeolite), and characterized by coagulation and floating of low-density suspended solids. A simple extraction process was adopted, such as drying and grinding of raw material, water-extraction by high temperature-sonication and filtering. All tests were performed in 3 L plastic chambers varying conditions; six different concentrations ($0{\sim}1.0\;mL\;L^{-1}$), six light intensities ($8{\sim}1,400\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$), three temperatures ($10{\sim}30^{\circ}C$), four pHs (7~10), five water depths (10~50 cm), and three different waters dominated by cyanobacteria, diatom, and green algae, respectively. Results indicate that the highest ABA of PMC was seen at $0.05\;mL\;L^{-1}$ in treatment concentrations, where showed a reduction of more than 80% of control phytoplankton biomass, while $1,400\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ in light intensity (>90%), $20{\sim}30^{\circ}C$ temperature (>60%), 7~9 in pH (>90%), below 50 cm in water depth (>90%), and cyanobacterial dominating waters (>80%), respectively. Over the test, ABA of PMC were more obvious on the algal biomass (chlorophyll-${\alpha}$) than suspended solids, suggesting a selectivity of PMC to particle size or natures. These results suggest that PMC agents can play an important role as natural agents to remove the nuisant algal aggregates or seston of eutrophic lake, where occur cyanobacterial bloom in a shallow shore of lake during warm season.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.545-550
• /
• 2008

The anticancer and immunomodulatory activities of low molecular weight (Mw 11 kDa) fucoidan isolated from Hizikia fusiforme (H. fusiforme) via the ultrasonification extraction process were assessed in this study. Low molecular weight fucoidan improved the growth of human B and T cells, up to approximately 40% as compared to the controls (untreated) and 30% for commercially available fucoidan (Mw 150 kDa). IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ were secreted from human B cells at levels of $7.8\times10^{-4}$ pg/mL and $7.2\times10^{-4}$ pg/mL, respectively, and these levels were higher than the levels measured in the controls and with other high molecular weight fucoidan. It was also determined that the cytokine from human B and T cells cultivated with added fucoidan enhanced the growth of human NK cells. The fucoidan isolated from H. fusiforme showed low cytotoxicity, approximately 19%, after the addition of 1.0 mg/mL, the highest tested concentration. The growth of human lung cancer cells (A549) and human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were inhibited by 69.8% and 83.3%, respectively. These results demonstrated that the low molecular weight fucoidan isolated from H. fusiforme has potential as a new functional food component that evidences immunomodulatory activities and anticancer activity. One of the primary positive features of this fucoidan is that low molecular weight polysaccharides can be readily handled during processing.