• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.114-122
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• 2012

For the determination of absorbed dose to water from a linear accelerator photon beams, it needs a exposure calibration factor $N_x$ or air kerma calibration factor $N_k$ of air ionization chamber. We used the exposure calibration factor $N_x$ to find the absorbed dose calibration factors of water in a reference source through the TG-21 and TRS-277 protocol. TG-21 used for determine the absorbed dose in accuracy, but it required complex calculations including the chamber dependent factors. The authors obtained the absorbed dose calibration factor $N_{dw}{^{Co-60}}$ for reduce the complex calculations with unknown $N_{dw}$ only with $N_x$ or $N_k$ calibration factor in a TM31010 (S/N 1055, 1057) ionization chambers. The results showed the uncertainty of calculated $N_{dw}$ of IC-15 which was known the $N_x$ and $N_{dw}$ is within -0.6% in TG-21, but 1.0% in TRS-277. and TM31010 was compared the $N_{dw}$ of SSDL to that of PSDL as shown the 0.4%, -2.8% uncertainty, respectively. The authors experimented with good agreement the calculated $N_{dw}$ is reliable for cross check the discrepancy of the calibration factor with unknown that of TM31010 and IC-15 chamber.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2013

The aim of this work is to verify the self-quality assurances in medical institutions in Korea through the external audits by the group of experts and have a mutual discussion of the systematic problems. In order to validate the external audits 30 of 80 medical institutions across the nation were picked out considering the regional distribution and the final 25 institutions applied voluntarily to take part in this work. The basic rules were setup that any information of the participants be kept secrete and the measurements be performed with the dosimetry system already verified through intercomparision. The outputs for 2 or more photon beams, the accuracy of gantry rotation and collimator rotation and the poistional accuracy of MLC movement were measured. The findings for the output measurement showed the differences of -0.8%~4.5%, -0.79%~3.01%, and -0.7%~0.07% with respect to that of the verified dosimetry system for the 6MV, 10MV, and 15MV, respectively. For the reference absorbed dose 8 (16%) of 50 photon beams in 25 medical institutions differed 2.0% or greater from the reference value. The coincidences of Field size with x-ray beam and radiation isocenters of Gantry roration and collimator rotation gave the results of within ${\pm}2$ mm for every institute except 2 institutions. The positional accuracy of MLC movement agreed to within ${\pm}1$ mm for every institute. For the beam qualities of 6 MV photon beams kQ values showed the distribution within 0.4% between maximum and minimum. For the protocols 21 institutions (84%) used absorbed dose to water based protocol while 4 insitutions (16%) used air kerma based one. 22 institutions employed the SSD technique while 3 institutions did the SAD one. External audit plays an important role in discovering the systematic problems of self-performing Quality Assurances and having in depth discussion for mutual complementation. Training experts of international level as well as national support system are required so that both the group of experts of medical physicists and government laboratory could perform together periodical and constant external audits.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.221-227
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• 1996

Background : Measurement of pleural fluid constituents are of value in the diagnosis of pleural effusions and in the seperation of exudates from transudates. The position of the patient(sitting or lying) prior to thoracentesis may result in difference in the measurement of these constituents. The purpose of this study is to determine whether postural differences in pleural fluid constituents exist, and if so, whether they are of any clinical significance. Method : 41 patients with pleural effusions on chest roentgenography were prospectively studied. The fluid cell counts, partial gas tension, and concentrations of chemical constituents were compared in the supine and upright positions. Results : 1) A total of 10 patients were found to have an transudative effusion. In the transudates there was no significant difference in pleural fluid constituents according to posture change. 2) A total of 31 patients were found to have an exudative effusion. Statistically significant postural changes were noted in pH, WBC counts, protein, and LDH concentrations in the exudates. It may be due to postural sedimentary effect in the pleural space. 3) The PCO2 measurements and glucose concentration were not affected by changes in position in exudates or transudates. Conclusion : Postural sedimentary effect occurs in the pleural space with reference to the measurement of certain pleural fluid constituents when an inflammatory process is present. Therefore it is recommended that thoracentesis after 30 minutes in the sitting position should be performed.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2013

In this study, wheat doenjang was manufactured using Korean wheat meju and soybean meju, and its quality were investigated according to mixing ratio of meju. The general characteristics such as moisture contents, pH and salinity of wheat doenjang, which is fermented and aged at $25^{\circ}C$ for 70 days, were slightly decreased time dependently as similar pattern. The pH of wheat doenjang ranged from 4.95 to 5.11% and generally decreased with aging. The moisture contents was 54.5~57.5%, and there was no significant differences in the aging period. Also, there was no significant changes in the salt contents. The amino-type nitrogen contents were 376.27~600.91 mg% at day 70 of the aging period, and showed 3 fold change compared to the initial contents. The reducing sugar contents showed significant difference between the samples, and repeated fluctuation in the aging period. Wheat meju sample A, which contains 50% of soybean meju, showed the highest antioxidation ability. In addition, wheat meju sample A showed the highest score in the sensory evaluation of the colour, taste, flavor, and overall acceptability. Therefore, wheat doenjang manufacturing at a 1:1 of mixing ratio will lead to desirable quality of wheat doenjang.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1274-1280
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• 2011

The concentration of cordycepin produced by crossbred Cordyceps militaris JLM 0636 (CM${\alpha}$) was 7.42 mg/g dry weight, which was 7-fold higher than that of C. militaris (CM). However, cordycepin was not detected in Paecilomyces japonica (PJ). The improvement effects of CM${\alpha}$, CM and PJ on orotic acid (OA)-induced fatty liver in male Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) based on five dietary categories: normal (N), OA control (C), OA plus 3% (w/w) PJ (PJ), OA plus 3% CM (CM), and OA plus 3% CM${\alpha}$ (CM${\alpha}$). OA treatment induced the retardation of body weight gain and enlargement of the liver. The concentration of hepatic triglyceride was markedly increased by OA-feeding, whereas this rise was significantly reduced by simultaneous feeding of OA, PJ, CM, and CM${\alpha}$, and this phenomenon was more pronounced by cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$. The contents of total lipid, triglyceride, and free fatty acid in the serum were significantly or slightly lower in the OA control group than those of the N group, but there were no significant differences among the OA treatment groups. The hepatocytes in the OA-induced fatty liver contained numerous large lipid droplets, but PJ, CM, and CM${\alpha}$ feeding prevented the OA-induced lipid droplet accumulation in the hepatocytes. This effect was more pronounced in cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$ than in PJ or CM in OA treatment rats. Accordingly, cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$ could be an ideal candidate material as a dietary supplement in healthy functional foods to improve the effects of fatty liver.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 2006

We have recently discovered that mycelium of Phellinus linteus, popular medical mushrooms in Korea, possess alcohol dehydrogenase and produce alcohol. In the present study, it was examined that the effect of fermented rice wine made by using mycelium of P. linteus (FLMP) on the expression of in-flammation-related proteins in both $HepG_2$ cells and rats. To examine the effect of FLMP on the morphology and expression of inflammatory proteins in $HepG_2$ cells, the cells were incubated with ethanol, and FLMP for 24 hours, and then analyzed by microscopic observation and Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). While ethanol induced the morphological change accompanied with cell debris formation and scattering on $HepG_2$ cells, FLMP had no effect. The results of Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 was induced by ethanol, however, FLMP inhibited the expression of these proteins and its mRNAs. In the animal model, the value of flutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase was significantly increased by administration with ethanol. But the group administrated with FLMP showed lower levels on the changes of these markers compared with ethanol-administrated group. Besides, the results of Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the expression of inflammatory proteins such as iNOS, COX-1 and COX-2 was not affected by FLMP administration in rat liver. About histopathological and immunohistochemical observations, inflammatory loci were markedly decreased in the FLMP-administrated rat compared to ethanol-administrated rats and showed weaker COX-2 and iNOS jmmunoreactions. These results suggested that FLMP showed slight changes on the inflammatory proteins expression compared to ethanol and FLMP may be used as a functional alcoholic beverage.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 1996

The effects of scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus, Lqh) venom were evaluated on the activities of microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ and $Ca^{2+}$ release channel prepared from the epithelial cells of pig airway. Whole venom of Lqh $(120\;{\mu}g/ml)$ increased the activity of microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ about 32% in the tight-sealed microsomes and about 28% in the Triton X-100-treated or $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore A23187-treated leaky microsomes. Thapsigargin, a specific antagonist of $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$, inhibited 42% of total ATPase activity and also completely blocked the effects of Lqh venom, suggesting that Lqh venom directly activiates the microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$. In order to determine if Lqh venom increases the microsomal uptake of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$, Lqh venom was added in the uptake medium. The Lqh venom increased microsomal $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake up to ${\sim}20%$ and the increase was only observed when heparin, an antagonist of $InsP_3$ receptor channel, was added in the uptake medium. Lqh venom in the absence of heparin unexpectedly decreased the rate and the amount of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake. These results were explained by simultaneous increases in $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ release as well as $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake by Lqh venom. Lqh venom itself increased the release of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ as much as $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ release by $4\;{\mu}m\;InsP_3$, implying that Lqh venom also activates $InsP_3$ receptor, microsomal $Ca^{2+}$ release channel. Based on these results, we suggest that the Lqh venom consists of at least two components; one activates the $InsP_3$ receptor and the other avates the $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$. Currently we a investigating the chemical and electrophysiological properties of the active components of Lqh venom.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2010

A total of 25 isolates of Fusarium fujikuroi were obtained from diseased rice plants in Korea from 2006 to 2007 to assess their resistance against fungicides prochloraz and benomyl + thiram. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of F. fujikuroi isolates were examined by agar dilution method. Most of the isolates were sensitive to the fungicides. Out of 25 isolates, six were resistant to prochloraz and three to benomyl + thiram. In addition, the isolates CF245, CF249 and CF337 showed resistant to both fungicides. The progenies ($F_1$ isolates) obtained through two different crosses between sensitive parental isolates(CF202, CF232 and CF179) and resistant parental isolate (CF337) were evaluated for their mycelial growth at different temperatures and resistance against fungicides. Mycelial growth rate of $F_1$ isolates originated from CF202 $\times$ CF232 was similar to the parental isolates. However mycelial growth rate of $F_1$ isolates originated from CF179 $\times$ CF337 was faster than their parent isolates. In case of prochloraz, distribution ratio of sensitivity(S) to resistance(R) against to the fungicide of $F_1$ isolates originated from CF202 $\times$ CF232 and CF179 $\times$ CF337 was 86 : 14 and 78 : 22, respectively. In case of benomyl+thiram, all the $F_1$ isolates originated from CF202 $\times$ CF232 were sensitive to the fungicide, however ratio of sensitivity(S) to resistance(R) against to the fungicide of $F_1$ isolates originated from CF179 $\times$ CF337 was 35 : 65.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of radiation therapy (RT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and to analyze the prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: From December 2004 to April 2009, 70 patients who had HCC with PVTT were treated with RT at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. Nineteen patients whose total dose was below 30 Gy and one patient who underwent liver transplantation were excluded. The remaining 50 patients (45 males, 5 females; median age 55 years) were analyzed. According to the LCSGJ TNM stage, there were 27 patients (54.0%) with stage III and 23 (46.0%) with stage IV. Total dose of 30~54 Gy was administered (median 45). Thirty patients (60.0%) were treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The median follow-up duration was from 13.5 months (range, 3 to 70 months). Results: The median survival time from the start of RT was 9 months. One-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 24.9% and 11.2%, respectively. At the follow-up time, three patients (6.0%) displayed no evidence of disease. Seven patients (14.0%) were alive with disease, and 40 (80.0%) patients had expired due to disease progression. CCRT was associated with worse survival than RT alone (p=0.034), Response to RT (p=0.037), CLIP stage (p=0.017), and TNM stage (p=0.041) were statistically significant prognostic factors. There was no radiation-induced liver disease. Conclusion: RT is an effective and safe modality for HCC with PVTT. Further studies such as prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm the role of RT for HCC with PVTT.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.308-312
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• 2015

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of tramadol hydrochloride on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane ($MAC_{ISO}$) in dogs. Six healthy, female German shepherd dogs (aged 1-2 years) were used in this study. Anesthesia was induced by mask induction and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Mechanical ventilation maintained the end-tidal $CO_2$ partial pressure ($P_{ET}CO_2$) from 35 to 45 mmHg throughout the study. A baseline $MAC_{ISO}$ ($MAC_{ISO}B$) was determined starting 45 minutes after induction of anesthesia by clamping a pedal digit until gross purposeful movement was detected. After $MAC_{ISO}B$ determination, dogs received a tramadol loading dose of 3 mg/kg followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 2.6 mg/kg/h. The determination of $MAC_{ISO}$ after administration of tramadol ($MAC_{ISO}T$) began 20 min after the start of the CRI. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded continuously and arterial blood samples for blood gas analysis were collected at the end of the equilibration period. Mean ${\pm}$ SD values for the $MAC_{ISO}B$ and $MAC_{ISO}T$ were $1.33{\pm}0.04%$ and $1.23{\pm}0.04%$, respectively. The $MAC_{ISO}B$ decreased significantly by $7.5{\pm}0.2%$ (P < 0.05) after administration of tramadol. The mean heart rate and arterial blood pressure of six dogs were not changed significantly after tramadol administration. The blood gas levels remained constant during the study. In conclusion, tramadol could significantly reduce $MAC_{ISO}$ without depression of cardiorespiratory function. Thus, the use of tramadol on inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane in dogs can improve the stability of anesthesia and the quality of recovery.