• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.8 s.265
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• pp.611-618
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• 2006

Background: There have been controversies whether mitral valvular surgery is necessary in the patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long term clinical results of patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. Material and Method: Between January 1992 and February 2005, 44 patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Concomitant mitral valvular procedure was performed in 20 patients (group 1) and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 24 patients (group 2). There were no significant difference between groups except cardiopulmonary bypass time (p<0.01). Postoperative follow up duration was $30.1{\pm}29.6$ months and last follow up echocardiographic examination was performed at $21.2{\pm}28.0$ months. Result: There was no difference in operative mortality between groups (group 1 vs group 2, 15.0% vs 8.3%, p=0.493). Grade of mitral regurgitation ${(0.81{\pm}0.91\;vs\;1.50{\pm}0.05,\;p=0.046)}$ and reduction in regurgitation grade ${(1.75{\pm}0.93\;vs\;0.70{\pm}1.26,\;p=0.009)}$ were different between two groups. But there were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction ${(34.1{\pm}11.4%\;vs\;41.6{\pm}12.9%)}$, left ventricular end systolic volume ${(118.2{\pm}63.9\;ml%\;vs\;85.6{\pm}281\;ml)}$, New York Heart Association functional class ${(2.1{\pm}0.2\;vs\;2.4{\pm}1.2)}$ and 5 year survival rate ${(85{\pm}8%\;vs\;82{\pm}8%)}$. There was no risk factor for operative mortality and the only risk factor for late death was preoperative atrial fibrillation (p=0.042). There was no significant correlation between mitral valvular surgery and late death. Conclusion: Concomitant mitral valvular procedure in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting had no significant positive effect on survival and ventricular function compared with isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Prospective randomized study may be needed to evaluate the necessity of concomitant mitral procedure and to find more effective method for the improvement of ventricular function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.467-473
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• 2004

Background: The sinus conversion rate after the maze procedure in chronic atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency energy is lower than with either conventional 'cut and saw' technique or cryothermia. The creation of incomplete transmural lesions due to poor tissue-catheter contact is thought to be the main cause. To address this problem, the current study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a specially constructed compression device designed to enhance tissue catheter contact during unipolar radiofrequency catheter ablation. Material and Method: Circum-ferential right auricular epicardial lesions were created with a linear radiofrequency catheter in 10 anesthetized pigs. A device specially designed to increase contact by compression of the catheter to the atrial wall was used in 5 pigs (study group). This device was not used in the control group (5 pigs). Conduction block across the right auricular lesion was assessed by pacing, and the transmurality of the lesions were confirmed by microscopic examination. Result: Conduction block was observed in a total of 8 pigs; 5 in study group and 3 in control group. Transmural injury was confirmed microscopically by the accumulation of acute inflammatory cells and loss of elastic fibers in the endocardium. In two pigs with failed conduction block, microscopic examination of the endocardium appeared normal. Conclusion: Failed radiofrequency ablation is strongly related to non-transmural energy delivery. The specially constructed compression device in the current study was successful in creating firm tissue-catheter contact and thereby generating transmural lesions during unipolar radiofrequency ablation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2009

Background: The treatment of tracheal stenosis includes less invasive bronchoscopic intervention and more invasive segmental resection & anastomosis. Depending on the patient's clinical features, sometimes all these methods are inappropriate. Silicone T-tube stenting has recently been used as an alternative, safe management of tracheal stenosis. We studied the short term and Intermediate term results of using T-tubes in patients with tracheal stenosis, and this tracheal stenosis was caused by various underlying diseases. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 57 patients with tracheal stenosis and who were treated with T-tubes between Jan 1997 and Apr 2007. Based on the patient's medical records and the imaging studies, we evaluated the clinical findings and status of T-tube removal. Result: There was no T-tube related morbidity or mortality in this series. On follow-up, one patient underwent sleeve resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The T-tube could be successfully removed from 13 patients (13/57, 22.8%) without additional interventions. For another four patients, a T-tube was again inserted after removal of the first T-tube due to tracheomalacia or recurrent stenosis. Four patients died of underlying disease and cancer. The patients' gender and previous tracheostomy significantly affected T-tube removal. By contrast, multiple logistic regression analysis identified gender as a predictor of successfully removing a T-tube. Gender (p=0.033) and previous tracheostomy (p=0.036) were the two factors for success or failure of T-tube removal. Conclusion: A T-tube provided reliable patency of a stenotic airway that was caused by any etiology. We have proven that using a T-tube is safe and effective therapy for patients with tracheal stenosis for the short term or the intermediate term.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.267-275
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• 2003

To observe the effects of seed matriconditioning on the emergence, plumule growth, and seed physiological properties of normal and aged seeds of three corn(Zea mays L.) genotypes (dent, sugary, and shrunken-2), normal and artificially aged seeds were matriconditioned at 50, 75, 100, and 125% moisture contents of vermiculite at $25^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours and the germinability was examined at $25^{\circ}C$ and in cold test (7 days at 1$0^{\circ}C$followed by $25^{\circ}C$). Emergence rate, emergence speed, and plumule growth were smaller in the order of dent＞sugary＞shrunken-2. Matriconditioning did not affect the emergence rate of normal dent and sugary seeds, while it enhanced emergence speed and plumule growth. In contrast, the emergence rate, emergence speed, and plumule growth of normal shrunken-2 and aged seeds of all genotypes were enhanced as the moisture content of vermiculite increased up to 125% both at $25^{\circ}C$ and in cold test. Matriconditioning promoted $\alpha$-amylase activity and DNA and soluble protein contents, while it reduced the leakage of total sugars and electrolytes from the seeds when soaked in water.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.385-393
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• 2011

Soybean is the most promising crop for substituting rice on the paddy field. Excessive water stress is a common limiting factor in soybean yield under paddy soil condition. This study was carried out to identify changes in leaf total nitrogen and petiole ureide content under excess water conditions for establishing a screening system related to waterlogging tolerance. Waterlogging treatment was conducted by maintaining the water level on the soil surface for 10 days at the early vegetative growth stage ($V_5$) and the flowering stage ($R_2$). Leaf total nitrogen content, SPAD value and ureide content in petiole decreased in all soybean varieties in response to waterlogging, but the degree of decrease was much lesser in Pungsannamulkong and Muhankong than in Jangyeobkong and Myungjunamulkong, at 21 days after waterlogging treatment. This result means that root and nodule recovery rates were much higher in Pungsannamulkong and Muhankong than in Jangyeobkong and Myungjunamulkong after waterlogging treatment. The ureide and leaf nitrogen content showed high positive correlation with SPAD value, regardless of waterlogged stages. In conclusion, leaf nitrogen content, ureide content in petiole and leaf greenness were identified as promising indicator for screening soybeans which are tolerant of excess water.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Neural stem/precursor derived from pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) has considerable therapeutic potential due to their ability to generate various neural cells which can be used in cell-replacement therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. However, production of neural cells from hESCs remains technically very difficult. Understanding neural-tube like rosette characteristic neural precursor cells from hESCs may provide useful information to increase the efficiency of hESC neural differentiation. Generally, neural rosettes were derived from differentiating hEBs in attached culture system, however this is time-consuming and complicated. Here, we examined if neural rosettes could be formed in suspension culture system by bypassing attachment requirement. First, we tested whether the size of hESC clumps affected the formation of human embryonic bodies (hEBs) and neural differentiation. We confirmed that hEBs derived from $500{\times}500\;{\mu}m$ square sized hESC clumps were effectively differentiated into neural lineage than those of the other sizes. To induce the rosette formation, regular size hEBs were derived by incubation of hESC clumps($500{\times}500\;{\mu}m$) in EB medium for 1 wk in a suspended condition on low attachment culture dish and further incubated for additional $1{\sim}2$ wks in neuroectodermal sphere(NES)-culture medium. We observed the neural tube-like rosette structure from hEBs after $7{\sim}10$ days of differentiation. Their identity as a neural precursor cells was assessed by measuring their expressions of neural precursor markers(Vimentin, Nestin, MSI1, MSI2, Prominin-1, Pax6, Sox1, N-cadherin, Otx2, and Tuj1) by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. We also confirmed that neural rosettes could be terminally differentiated into mature neural cell types by additional incubation for $2{\sim}6$ wks with NES medium without growth factors. Neuronal(Tuj1, MAP2, GABA) and glial($S100{\beta}$ and GFAP) markers were highly expressed after $2{\sim}3$ and 4 wks of incubation, respectively. Expression of oligodendrocyte markers O1 and CNPase was significantly increased after $5{\sim}6$ wks of incubation. Our results demonstrate that rosette forming neural precursor cells could be successfully derived from suspension culture system and that will not only help us understand the neural differentiation process of hESCs but also simplify the derivation process of neural precursors from hESCs.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2020

The average growth day of 11 maize varieties from planting to silking in the first cropping (FC) was 89.5 days and in the second cropping (SC) was 46.7 days, which was 43 days faster than in the FC. The average 100-kernel weight (100 KW) in the FC was 28.4 g and 18.3 g in the SC, which was approximately 36.4% lower than that in the FC. The average crude oil content of FC was 3.97% and SC was 3.08%, which was about 0.89% lower than that of FC. The composition of stearic and oleic acid was significantly higher in FC, whereas palmitic and linoleic acid were higher in SC; however, linolenic acid was not statistically different between the two crops. The crude oil content was negatively correlated with linoleic acid (FC -0.264^ns, SC -0.504**) and positively correlated with linolenic acid (0.526**). Unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) composition showed a significant difference between FC (83.48%) and SC (82.96%). Total phytosterol content was 598.3 mg/100 g and 701.9 mg/100 g in FC and SC, respectively, and showed significant difference by planting dates. The β-sitosterol content showed no statistical difference between the planting dates, but campesterol and stigmasterol were significantly higher in SC than in FC. Therefore, it was considered that the temperature condition during the ripening period affects the 100 KW of maize, and this leads to the variation in phytosterol content. However, among phytosterols, β-sitosterol was relatively little affected by the planting dates. USFA composition showed a significantly negative correlation with phytosterol content. Considering the results, the relatively high phytosterol content in SC was mainly because of the delay in progress of starch accumulation as daily air temperature decreased from the middle of the ripening period, whereas progress of phytosterol accumulation in the maize kernel was considered relatively faster than that of starch accumulation.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 2001

We extracted sea surface heights(SSH) from the TopexJPoseidon(T/P) radar altimeter data to compare with fhe SSH estimated from in-situ lide gauges(T/G) at Ulleungdo, Pohang, and SockcholMucko sites. Selection criteria such as wet/dry troposphere, ionosphere, and ocean tide were used to estimate accurate SSH. For time series analysis, the one-hour interval tide gauge SSHs were resampled al lO-day interval of the satellite SSHs. The ocean tide model applied in the altimeter data processing showed periodic aliasings of 175.5 day, 87.8 day, 62J day, 58.5 day, 49.5 day and 46.0 day, and, hence, the ZOO-day filtering was applied to reduce these spectral noises. Wavenumber correlation analysis was also applied to extract common components between the two SSHs, resulting in enhancing the correlation coefficient(CC) dramatically. The original CCs between the satenite and tide gauge SSHs are 0.46. 0.26, and 0.]5, respectively. Ulleungdo shows the largest cc bec;luase the site is far from the coast resulting in the minimun error in the satellite observations. The CCs were then increased to 0.59, 030, and 0.30, respectively, after 200.day filtering, and to 0.69, 0.63. and 0.59 after removing inversely correlative components using wavenumber correlation analysis. The CCs were greatly increased by 87, 227, and 460% when the wavenumber correlation analysis was followed by 2oo-day filtering, resulting in the final CCs of 0.86, 0.85, 0.84, respectively. It was found that the best SSHs were estimated when the two methods were applied to the original data. The low-pass filtered TIP SSHs were found to be well correlated with the TIG SSHs from tide gauges, and the best correlation results were found when we applied both low-pass filtering and spectral correlation analysis to the original SSHs.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.355-362
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a tool for assessing foreigners' understanding of oral health information in Korea called the Test of Korean Functional Health Literacy in Dentistry(TOKFHLiD) and examined validity and reliability of the tool. The TOKFHLiD consists of two literacy assessment parts: Dental Information Sentence(DIS) aims to assess one's literacy of sentences containing oral health information. Dental Information Document(DID) aims to assess one's numeracy and literacy of documents containing oral health information. Methods: Twenty eight preliminary questions were developed based on various medical care literature such as the agreement to diagnosis and treatment and the treatment precautions. DID using 14 preliminary questions was developed based on the appointment card, the treatment schedule, and labels on oral care products. The 42 preliminary questions in the DIS and the DID were subsequently put through four separate expert reviews, in which questions with content validity score of less than 0.8(13/15 points) were corrected and modified by five dental experts and then were corrected for language errors by two Korean language experts. The preliminary assessment tool was tested on 153 Koreans, and ${\chi}^2$ test was performed on the ratio of respondents who comprehended each question, the ratio of respondents who chose the correct answer for each question with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Of the 42 preliminary questions, 1 question in DIS and 1 question in DID, for which the ratio of Korean respondents who chose the correct answers did not exceed the acceptable level of 80%, were excluded and a final assessment tool was completed with 40 questions. Conclusions: Following the development and application of the tool, examination of the TOKHLiD for validity and reliability revealed that this assessment tool is adequate for assessing oral health information literacy of foreigners who are using oral hygiene medical services in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.255-264
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• 2017

To evaluate the water quality changes in agricultural reservoir covered with floating photovoltaic solar-tracking systems, the water quality variations with time and depth were monitored on both six sites for light blocking zones and four sites for light penetration zones after the installation of floating photovoltaic solar-tracking systems in Geumgwang reservoir at Anseong-si, Kyeonggi province. For one year with 16 monitoring events, water quality parameters [i.e., water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and blue-green algae (BGA)] were monitored at depths of 0.3 m, 1 m, 3 m, and 5 m, while chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) were monitored at depths of 0.3 m. Statistically, the difference in all water quality parameters was not significantly different (p > 0.05) at the level of significance of 0.05. Based on these results, the water quality data from light blocking zones (site 1~6) and light penetration zones (site 7~10) were clustered, and were compared with time and depth. As a result, the difference in water temperature, pH, DO, COD, TN, TP, Chl-a, and BGA between light blocking zones and light penetration zones was not significant (p > 0.05) with different time and depth. For Chl-a and BGA, some data from light blocking zones greater than light penetration zones were temporary observed due to the severe drought, low water storage rate, and over growth of periphyton. However, this temporal phenomenon did not impact the water quality. Considering the small water surface area (${\leq}0.5%$) covered by floating photovoltaic solar-tracking systems, the mixing effect of whole Geumgwang reservoir caused by Ekman current and continuous discharge were more dominant than the effect of reduced solar irradiance. Further study is warranted to monitor the changes in water quality and aquatic ecosystems with greater water surface area covered by floating photovoltaic solar-tracking systems for a long time.