• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.169-180
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• 1999

Background: Uterine cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the women in Korea. This study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of the cervicography as a screening test of cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Cervicography was taken from 482 women at department of obstetrics and gynecology, at Yeungnam University Hospital from March 1, 1998 to October 31, 1999. Of the 482 women, 172 women were exc1uded from the study for various reasons, and 310 women completed the study. Three-hundred and ten women had cervical cytology (Papanicolaou smear), cervicography and colposcopy, and punch biopsy was undertaken if any of the test result was abnormal. Results: The most common age group was 35-39, and 40-44, 45-49 in order and most common reason for having a screening test was regular check for cervical cancer. The mean duration from the last Pap smear was 17.1 months, and 64 women(20.4%) never had any prior screening tests. Of the 310 women, 254 women were categorized as normal or having benign disease such as cervicitis, erosion or metaplasia. Biopsy was taken from 56 patients and the results were 26 chronic cervicitis, 4 mild dysplasia, 6 moderate dysplasia, 2 severe dysplasia, 14 carcinoma in situ and 4 invasive carcinoma. The results of cytology and cervicography were well correlated(p<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of cytology were 86.7% and 76.9%, respectively and the sensitivity and specificity of cervicography were 56.7% and 96.2%, respectively. False negative rate of cervicography(43.3%) was much higher than those of cytology(13. 3%) (p<0.05), but false positive rate of cervicography(3.8%) was much lower than that of cytology(23.1%) (p<0.05). Conclusion: It seems inappropriate to use cervicography as a single screening test for cervival cancer, but it may be an effective complementary test for cytology to lower the false negative rate of cytology.

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

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2007

Purpose: Biological parameters can be quantified using dynamic PET data with compartment modeling and Nonlinear Least Square (NLS) estimation. However, the generation of parametric images using the NLS is not appropriate because of the initial value problem and excessive computation time. In irreversible model, Patlak graphical analysis (PGA) has been commonly used as an alternative to the NLS method. In PGA, however, the start time ($t^*$, time where linear phase starts) has to be determined. In this study, we suggest a new Multiple Linear Analysis for irreversible radiotracer (MLAIR) to estimate fluoride bone influx rate (Ki). Methods: $[^{18}F]Fluoride$ dynamic PET scans was acquired for 60 min in three normal mini-pigs. The plasma input curve was derived using blood sampling from the femoral artery. Tissue time-activity curves were measured by drawing region of interests (ROls) on the femur head, vertebra, and muscle. Parametric images of Ki were generated using MLAIR and PGA methods. Result: In ROI analysis, estimated Ki values using MLAIR and PGA method was slightly higher than those of NLS, but the results of MLAIR and PGA were equivalent. Patlak slopes (Ki) were changed with different $t^*$ in low uptake region. Compared with PGA, the quality of parametric image was considerably improved using new method. Conclusion: The results showed that the MLAIR was efficient and robust method for the generation of Ki parametric image from $[^{18}F]Fluoride$ PET. It will be also a good alternative to PGA for the radiotracers with irreversible three compartment model.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 1992

This experiment was carried out to elucidate the effects of the thyroid function on lactation in female rats. One hundred and five female rats, whose body weight was approximately 250g with normal parturition, were divided into 3.5 THY, 35 PTU, and 35 CON. The $30{\mu}g$ L-thyroxine per rat was administered subcutaneously for the THY group with 3-days intervals arid 0.03% propylthiouracil solution was drunk for the PTU group. After the treatments body weight, thyroid weights and prolactin levels in serum, and histological changes in thyroid and mammary gland were investigated for 3 weeks with 3-days interval. The results obtained were as follows 1. The body weights of PTU group were lower than those of CON arid THY groups. The changes in body weights were significant between 3 and 6 days and between 15 and 18 days. 2. Differences in thyroid weight among the groups were significant after 9 days, The thyroid weights of PTU group were much higher than those of CON and THY group. 3. The follicular epithelia of PTU group after 6 days showed cuboidal phenomena which were accompanied by hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and this phenomena continued until post weaning period. Those of THY group after 9 days showed a squamous degeneration together with pyknosis. 4. The prolactin concentrations of THY group were higher than the other groups after 12 days. and those of CON group were higher than the others after 18 days. However, those of PTU group were lower all through the period. 5. The secretary epithelial cells of THY and CON groups became cuboidal after 12 days, but after 15 days the differentiation of mammary tissue was progressing in THY group faster than CON group. The degeneration of mammary tissue were observed in PTU group as time lapses, so after 15 days the exfoliation of secretory epithelium and atrophy of alveolus were recognized. 6. The body weights of offspring for all experimental groups were increasing as time lapses, but the values for PTU group were markedly lower than the others.