• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.653-662
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• 2006

Background: The changes in the pulmonary function observed in burn patients with an inhalation injury are probably the result of a combination of airway inflammation, chest wall and muscular abnormalities, and scar formation. In addition, it appears that prolonged ventilatory support and an episode of pneumonia contribute to the findings. This study investigated the changes in the pulmonary function in patients with inhalation injury at the early and late post-burn periods. Methods: From August 1, 2002, to August 30, 2005, surviving burn patients who had an inhalation injury were enrolled prospectively. An inhalation injury was identified by bronchoscopy within 48hours after admission. Spirometry was performed at the early phase during admission and the recovery phase after discharge, and the changes in the pulmonary function were compared. Results: 37 patients (M=28, F=9) with a total burn surface area (% TBSA), ranging from 0 to 18%, were included. The initial $PaO_2/$FiO_2$ratio and COHb were $286.4{\pm}129.6mmHg$ and $7.8{\pm}6.6%$. Nine cases (24.3%) underwent endotracheal intubation and 3 cases (8.1%) underwent mechanical ventilation. The initial X-ray findings revealed abnormalities in, 18 cases (48.6%) with 15 (83.3%) of these being completely resolved. However, 3 (16.7%) of these had residual sequela. The initial pulmonary function test, showed an obstructive pattern in 9 (24.3%) with 4 (44.4%) of these showing a positive bronchodilator response, A restrictive pattern was also observed in 9 (24.3%) patients. A lower DLco was observed in only 4 (17.4%) patients of which 23 had undergone DLco. In the follow-up study, an obstructive and restrictive pattern was observed in only one (2.7%) case each. All the decreased DLco returned to mormal. Conclusions: Most surviving burn patients with an inhalation injury but with a small burn size showed initial derangements in the pulmonary function test that was restored to a normal lung function during the follow up period.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.152-159
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• 2005

Background : Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are thought to be associated with increased airway inflammation, and the $NF-{\kappa}B$ is known to be an indicator of cellular activation and of inflammatory mediator production. This study was undertaken to investigate the change of cytokine characteristics and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity in induced sputum of COPD patients during exacerbation and recovery of the disease. Methods : Sputum induction was performed in 37 patients with COPD during exacerbation and during recovery and in 15 healthy subjects. Cell counts, levels of IL-6, IL-8 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in induced sputum and NF-kB activity in macrophage of induced sputum were measured. Results : Patients with COPD showed significantly increased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and $TNF-{\alpha}$(p<0.01) and increased $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity in induced sputum(p<0.05) as compared with control subjects. Level of IL-8 during exacerbation of COPD decreased significantly during recovery(p<0.05). $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity and levels of IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ tended to be decreased during recovery, but not siginificantly. Conclusion : Activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and increased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were thought to be associated with pathogenesis and exacerbations of COPD.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2001

Purpose : This study was undertaken to investigate clinical aspects of nutcracker syndrome in children including sexual distribution, age of onset, the ratio of peak flow velocity between the narrowed and dilated portions in the left renal vein and prevalence of hematuria or proteinuria. Materials and Method : The subjects included 30 patients diagnosed with nutcracker syndrome using Doppler sonography from September 1999 to January 2001 in Severance Hospital, Department of Pediatric Nephrology. The diagnostic criteria for nutcracker syndrome was a peak flow velocity of ratio is more than 5.0. Results : Patients consisted of 14 males and 16 females. The mean age was 9.19${\pm}$2.31 years old and the ratio of peak flow velocity was 8.52${\pm}$2.24. Age of onset us higher in males 9.68${\pm}$2.82 year old than in females, 8.76${\pm}$1.72 year old respectively(P<0.05). But there was no difference in the ratio of peak flow velocities ; 8.45${\pm}$2.31 in the male group , 8.58${\pm}$2.25 in the female group(P>0.05). There was no difference in the age of onset and the ratio of peak flow velocity between patients with hematuria and without hematuria. Among patients with nutcracker syndrome, 24 cases of hematuria, 3 cases of proteinuria only, and 3 cases of hematuria with proteinuria. Conclusion : In children of school age, early diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome and consistent follow up is worthy of consideration, especially ill the prevention of sequelae. (J. Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 5 : 9-14, 2001)

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.391-400
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the effects of environmental parameters on the growth of Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas at old suspended culturing grounds of Korsung Bay and newly deveoped bottom, culturing grounds of Haenam region located in southern coast of Korea. The Kosung Bay was semiclosed and water exchange occurred through the small mouth and the current speed was very slow as the value of below 0.5kn. Haenam was opened and littoral zone. Current speed of the surroundings of this Bay about to 5.0knand transparency was low with the mean depth of 1.2m by the resuspension of the sediments. Water temperature and salinity regimes were suitable for oysters at those sites, however the mean value of those parameters and seasonal fluctuations was high at Kosung. The mean concentration of dissolved oxygen in survey area was above $5.0mg/\ell$. In Kosung, however, it was decreasing in June and showed the minimum with the concentration of $4.0mg/\ell$ in August at the bottom layer and recovered in September. Eutrophication parameters such as COD were 1.44 mg/l at this location. This mean value was higher than that of the Haenam Bay's $0.96mg/\ell$. The men value of chlorophyll-$\alpha$ at Haenam was two times higher than the other sites. Growth of shell height and meat weight of oysters at Kosung Bay were higher and the fatness was lower compared to thost of Haenam. As a result, absolute growth of oysters was high at Kosung and allometric growth, such as fatness, was good at Haenam. Low water temperature and frequent exposure of oysters to the air during ebb tide may retard the shell growth. On the other hand, relatively high food availability was profitable for the fatness at haenam site.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.524-540
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• 2013

After the construction of the Geum River estuary dam, we investigated the ecological property of phytoplankton community with physicochemical property in 9 stations of Geum River estuary 4 times seasonally in 2010 about the environmental changes through the change of phytoplankton. Physicochemical property seems to show eutrophication which developed from the tendency of accruing of the nutrients (those involved in intermittency of freshwater which flows from the dike and the surrounding cities), caused by the changing of tidal flow, the decreasing of the inflow of seawater after the construction of the Geum River estuary dam (dike). A total of 233 species of species composition of phytoplankton emerged, showing a highly increased result compared to that of the former research. The reason for the increase in number is considered as a phenomenon resulting from the mix of blackish and freshwater marine species in the flow of intermittency of freshwater discharge. Also, the standing crops of phytoplankton considerably increased compared to when the dike had not yet been built. Highly affected by the discharge of occasional freshwater, the diatoms of blackish water zone dominated in spring and winter, while freshwater species appeared to dominate in summer and autumn. The species diversity showed over 2.0 except in winter season. After a cluster analysis, the result showed that the Geum River estuary was influenced by runoff from cities like Gunsan, the sewage which flows from Gyeongpo River, and the intermittency of freshwater discharge from the Geum River estuary dam.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.394-402
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic unpredictable stress on the reproductive function and ovarian luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) expression. 9-week-old C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into two groups: control group and stressed group. Mice have been stressed twice a day for 35 days with 12 different stressors which were randomly selected. The results demonstrate that there is significant increase in the anxiety-related behaviors (P < 0.05), decrease body weight gain rate (P < 0.01) and decrease in the average of litter size in stressed mice compared with control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the rate of primary, secondary and early antral follicles in stressed mice significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas that of atretic follicles significantly increased compared with control mice (P < 0.01). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that reduced LHR expression in granulosa cells of follicle and luteal cells of corpus luteum in response to chronic unpredictable stress. The western blot analysis revealed significantly decrease in LHR expression in the stressed mice ovaries compared with the control (P < 0.05). These results suggest that ovarian LHR expression affected by chronic unpredictable stress and the modulated ovarian LHR is responsible for ovarian follicular maldevelopment and reproductive dysfunction.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.321-355
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• 1993

This paper focuses on the geographical pattern of financial activities in the Korean urban system during 1975-1990, based on the assumption that financial activities can reveal control points in Korea's urban economy. In terms of spatial evolution of financial insitutions, different locational characteristics are revealed among different types of financial institutions, implying the role of urban hierarchy. Financial resources are highly concentrated in the capital region, Seoul and Kyonggi Province. Both centralization trends into the large metropolitan cities and relative declines of medium and small cities within the Korean urban system, have been experienced over the study period. Financial activities sustain relatively stable hierarchical structure in the urban hierarchy. Regarding the financial flows, dominant flow zones centered on major metropolitan cities are identified, clearly showing a prominant role of Seoul in financial flows in the entire urban system.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.1278-1284
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• 2000

The study was performed to elucidate the effects of ethylene-absorbent on the quality of 'Fuyu' persimmon fruits in the MA package. Five persimmons were packed in a MA package film (low density polyethylene, 0.055 mm film thickness), and stored at $-0.5^{\circ}C$ for 60 days. Two persimmons were repacked in a MA package with or without ethylene absorbent $(1\;M\;KMnO_4+zeolite)$ and stored at $-0.5^{\circ}C$. Ten days later, these packages was moved to $2^{\circ}C$ or $25^{\circ}C$ storage room to examine the effect of the ethylene-absorbent on the quality of the fruits. Ethylene removal by enclosed ethylene absorbent in MA packaging reduced the rate of fruit respiration at $25^{\circ}C$, so that $O_2$ and $CO_2$ concentration in packing were maintained higher and lower, respectively, compared to control. These effects were not observed, however, in $2^{\circ}C$ post-storage. Fruit firmness and sugar composition were also influenced by ethylene absorbent, showing more delayed flesh softening and higher sucrose concentration in ethylene absorbent treated fruits than control. But ethylene-absorbent treatment lowered glucose and fructose concentration. That shows that ethylene could influence on sugar composition by inhibiting sucrose inversion to glucose and fructose. The production of ethanol and acetaldehyde was reduced by ethylene removal, but the effect was not so high as other quality indices.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.458-463
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• 2009

Purpose : Schizencephaly is a uncommon congenital brain anomaly characterized by congenital clefts spanning the cerebral hemispheres from pial surface to lateral ventricles and lined by gray matter. In this study, we investigated the clinical manifestation and radiologic findings of pediatric schizencephaly. Methods : The data of 13 patients who were diagnosed with schizencephaly in Severance Childrens Hospital and Yongdong Severance Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Results : The mean age at diagnosis was $9.08{\pm}2.67$ months old and ranged from 1 to 30 months. The ratio of male to female patients was 3.33:1. Five (38.5%) patients had bilateral clefts, while 8 (61.5%) had unilateral clefts. Five (38.5%) patients had closed lip clefts, and 4 (30.8%) had opened lip clefts. Four (30.8%) patients had multiple clefts. Associated anomalies showed in all cases. The clinical features consisted of mild unilateral weakness in 7 (53.8%) cases and a hemiparesis was present in 3 (23.1%) patients. A tetraparesis was in 3 (23.1%) patients. There was no difference in motor deficit between unilateral and bilateral clefts. Delayed development was observed in all cases. Epilepsy was present in 7 (53.8%) patients, 5 patients with unilateral clefts and 2 patients with bilateral clefts. Three (42.8%) patients showed intractable seizures. Conclusion : Schizencephaly showed variable clinical manifestations and radiologic findings in association with the types and locations of the clefts. It is necessary to diagnose schizencephaly early and to detect the development of epilepsy. Intensive and large studies of the correlation of clinical outcomes and radiologic findings should be continued for more effective treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1040-1050
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• 1997

Pulmonary rehabilitation has been known to improve dyspnea and exercise tolerance in patients with chronic lung disease, although it does not improve pulmonary function. The mechanism of this improvement is not clearly explained till now; however some authors suggested that the improvement in the skeletal muscle metabolism after the rehabilitation could be a possible mechanism. The metabolc changes in skeletal muscle in patients with COPD are characterized by impaired oxidative phosphorylation which causes early activation of anaerobic glycolysis and excess lactate production with exercise. In order to evaluate the change in the skeletal muscle metabolism as a possible cause of the improvement in the exercise tolerance after the rehabilitation, noninvasive $^{31}P$ magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS) of the forearm flexor muscle was performed before and after the exercise training in nine patients with chronic lung disease who have undertaken intensive pulmonary rehabilitation for 6 weeks. 31p MRS was studied during the sustained isometric contraction of the dominant forearm flexor muscles up to the exhaustion state and the recovery period. Maximal voluntary contraction(MVC) force of the muscle was measured before the isometric exercise, and then 30% of MVC force was constantly loaded to each patient during the isometric exercise. After the exercise training, exercise endurance of upper and lower extremities and 6 minute walking distance were significantly increased(p<0.05). There were no differences of baseline intracellular pH (pHi) and inorganic phosphate/phosphocreatine(Pi/PCr). After rehabilitation pHi at the exercise and the exhaustion state showed a significant increase($6.91{\pm}0.1$ to $6.99{\pm}0.1$ and $6.76{\pm}0.2$ to $6.84{\pm}0.2$ respectively, p<0.05). Pi/PCr at the exercise and the recovery rate of pHi and Pi/PCr did not show significant differences. These results suggest that the delayed intracellular acidosis of skeletal muscle may contribute to the improvement of exercise endurance after pulmonary rehabilitation.