• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.396-406
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• 1992

Various susceptibility tests have been used to determine minimal inhibition concentration(MIC) of dermatophytes. They have limitations to apply practically because they need long time to determine MIC. Authors examined MIC of T. rubrum to ketoconazole and itraconazole using 96-well microplate and 24-well macroplate by method of Granade and Artis and tried to check the possibility of this method on clinical application. Nine strains of T. rubrum from patients with dermatophytosis were used. Evaluations of the factors affecting MIC were also tried. The results were as follows. 1. Effect of inoculation density on determination time and MIC : Determination of MIC were possible in 4th days after inoculation at higher inoculation density Caborbance 2.0, 1.0) compared to 6th days at lower inoculation density(absorbance 0.5, 0.25). 2. Effect of incubation temperature on MIC : When incubating at $37^{\circ}C$, MIC were below 0.006-$0.04{\mu}g/ml$ to ketokckonazole and below 0.006-$0.04{\mu}g/ml$ to itraconazole while at $25^{\circ}C$ 0.08-$5.68{\mu}g/ml$ to ketoconazole and 0.006-$0.71{\mu}g/ml$ to itraconazole. Significant reduction of MIC was observed at $37^{\circ}C$ compared to $25^{\circ}C$. 3. Effect of container size on determination time and MIC : When incubating in 96-well microplate and 24-well macroplate, determination of MIC was possible in 4th to 6th days after inoculation in broth-containig 96-well microplate compared to 8th to 12th days in broth-containing 24-well macroplate. But no difference in MIC was observed between different container size. 4. Effect of media on MIC : When using broth as media, MIC were below 0.006-$5.68{\mu}g/ml$ to ketoconazole, below 0.006-$0.36{\mu}g/ml$ to itraconazole in broth-containg 24-well macroplate. When using agar as media, MIC were below 0.006-$5.68{\mu}g/ml$ to ketoconzole, below 0.006-$5.68{\mu}g/ml$ to intraconzole in agar-containing 24-well macroplate. There was slight increase of MIC with agar media compared to broth media. 5. These findings confirm that determination of MIC of dermatophtes by method of Granade and Artis is fast and simple technique for antifungal susceptibility test.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.76-84
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• 1999

The differentiation between malignancy-related ascites(MRA) and non-malignant ascites (NMA) is important for further diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Although many parameters were investigated, none has provided a complete distinction between MRA and NMA. We investigated several ascitic fluid parameters to determine the differential power, and to differentiate malignant-related from nonmalignant-related ascites with a sequence of sensitive parameters followed by specific parameters. For the present study, 80 patients with ascites were divided into two groups: MRA and NMA, The MRA group was consisted of 27 patients with proven malignancy by image study, biopsy, and follow up: 21 of these patients had peritoneal carcinomatosis, but the remaining 6 showed no evidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The NMA group was consisted of 53 patients with no evidence of malignancy: among these patients, one had SLE, and others had liver cirrhosis, The samples of blood and ascites were obtained simultaneously, and then the levels of ascites cholesterol, CEA. protein and LDH, cytology, albumin gradient, ascites/serum concen-tration ratios of LDH(LDH A/S), and ascites/serum concentration ratios of protein(protein A/S) were measured. Applying cut-off limits for determined parameters, we estimated the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter, Among the eight parameters investigated, ascites fluid cholesterol yielded the best sensitive value of 93%(cut-off value 30mg/dl), and cytologic examination and the protein A/S(cut-off value 0.5) showed the most specific value of 100% and 96%, respectively. Based on the above results, the diagnostic sequence with cholesterol as a sensitive parameter followed by the combination of cytologic examination and protein A/S as specific parameters, was tested in 80 patients. This diagnostic sequence identified 81.5% of patients with malignancy, and all patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis were classified as malignancy-related ascites. In spite of many limitations, this proposed diagnostic sequence may permit a cost-effective and simple differentiation of malignancy-related ascites from nonmalignant ascites.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2004

Purpose: To compare the results of two different autografts used to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL): bone-patellar tendon-bone and quadruple hamstring tendon. Materials and Methods: Forty one cases (20 bone-patellar tendon-bone cases and 21 quadruple hamstring tendon cases) were followed up more than 2 years postoperatively. Patellar tendons were fixed with interference screws and hamstring tendons were fixed with cross pins and intrafix sheaths and screws. Follow-up results were evaluated with KT-2000 arthrometer, International knee Documentation Committee(IKDC) evaluation form and follow up X-ray Donor site morbidity was analysed. Results: Final IKDC) scores more than B grade and side to side differences of manual maximum test using KT-2000 arthrometer showed insignificant differences(p>) between the two groups. Plain radiographs of hamstring group showed marked widening of the femoral and tibial tunnels at postoperative 2 years. Patellar tendon group showed 30% rate of anterior knee complications. Conclusion: ACL reconstruction using autogenous hamstring graft with new fixation method showed comparable clinical results to using autogenous patellar tendon graft with fewer anterior knee symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the optimal number of additional half hitches for achieving an optimal knot-holding capacity (KHC) of Lockable sliding knots. Methods: Four configurations of arthroscopic knots (Duncan loop, Field knot, Giant knot, and SMC knot) were tested for their knot-holding capacity. For each knot configuration, 6 sequential knots were made including the initial sliding knot and additional 5 knots by incrementing one half hitches at a time. Each added half-hitch were in reversing half-hitches with alternate posts (RHAPs) fashion. For each sequential knot configuration, 12 knots were made by No. 2 braided sutures. On the servo-hydraulic material testing system (Instron 8511, MTS, Minneapolis, MN), cyclic loading, load to clinical failure (3-mm displacement), load to ultimate failure, and mode of failure were measured. Results: Most of the initial loop without additional half-hitch showed dynamic failure with cyclic loading. The mean displacement after the end of cyclic loading decreased with each additional half-hitches. SMC and Giant knot reached plateau to 0.1 mm or less displacement after one additional half-hitch, shereas Field and Duncan loop needed 3 additional half-hitches. The SMC and Duncan knots needed 1 additional half-hitch to reach greater than 80N at clinical failure, whefeas the other 2 knots needed2 additional half-hitches. For the load exceeding 100N for clinical failure, the SMC knot required 3 additional half-hitches and the other three knots needed 4 additional half-hitches. As the number of additional half-hitches incremented, the mode of failure switched from pure loop failure (slippage) to material failure (breakage). Duncan loop showed poor loop security in that even with 5 additional half-hitches, some failed by slippage (17%). On the other hand, after 3 additional half-hitches, the 3 other knots showed greater than 75% of failure by material breakage mode (SMC and Field 92%, Giant 75%). Conclusion: Even with its own locking mechanism, lockable sliding knot alone does not withstand the initial dynamic cyclic load. For all tested variables, SMC knot requires a minimum of 2 additional half-hitches. Duncan knot may need more than 3 additional half-hitches for optimal security. All knots showed a mear plateau in knot security with 3 or more additional half-hitches.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the long term outcomes of the ACL reconstruction from the standpoint of osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 31 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction from April 1986 to April 1999 and could be followed-up more than 7 years. Mean follow-up period was 10.1 years (7~22 years). In terms of the graft, 11 cases were treated with the ACL reconstruction using a autologous hamstring tendon graft, 20 cases were treated with using a autologous bone patellar tendon bone graft. For femoral tunnel, 11 cases were placed through transtibial tunnel, 20 cases were placed through anteromedial portal using mini-open arthrotomy. Functional and radiographic evaluation was performed. Results: Mean Lysholm score was $89.2{\pm}11.7$ points. Patients had KT-2000 side-to-side differences were $2.1{\pm}1.9\;mm$. IKDC ligament evaluation showed 38.7% type A, 48.3% type B, 6.5% type C and 6.5% type D. Femoral tunnel were placed at 11 or 1 o'clock position in transtibial technique and placed 10 to 10:30 or 2 to 2:30 o'clock position in technique using anteromedial portal. Radiographic analysis for degenerative arthritis revealed that in group using anteromedial tunnel, 50.0% were excellent, 25.0% were good. In group using transtibial tunnel 18.2% were excellent, 18.2% were good. Conclusion: More than 87.1% of cases, long term result of the ACL reconstruction showed good and excellent result in IKDC score. Especially, the group using tunnel through anteromedial portal showed good results for degenerative arthritis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.1180-1185
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• 2006

Purpose : The aims of this study were to verify the incidence of hypohidrosis and to determine the predictive value of noninvasive indicator test ($Neurocheck^{TM}$) for sweating after administration of topiramate in newly diagnosed pediatric epileptic patients. Methods : A total of 46 epileptic patients (22 boys; 24 girls) on topiramate treatment were evaluated in this study at the Department of Pediatrics, Chonbuk National University Hospital, from October 2004 to July 2005. We measured sweating functions using a noninvasive sweating test ($Neurocheck^{TM}$) before topiramate medication, and after 3 months when topiramate reached its target dosage. We performed a direct questionnaire survey for the hypohidrosis related symptoms during topiramate treatment. Results : The mean age was $7.8{\pm}3.2year$. The mean dosage of topiramate was $4.5{\pm}0.8mg/kg/day$. Among the patients, there were 40 complex partial seizures, one simple partial seizure, two partial seizures with secondarily generalization, two generalized seizures, and one Lennox-Gastaut syndrome case. Of the 46 epileptic patients, 17 patients (37.0 percent) experienced hypohidrosis and hypohidrosis related symptoms, 12 (26.1 percent) had facial flushing, four (8.7 percent) had heat intolerance, one (2.2 percent) had lethargy, but no one had anhidrosis. Among the 17 patients, the mild group numbered 12 and the severe group totalled five. Hypohidrosis by $Neurocheck^{TM}$ was diagnosed in 16 patients. The overall measures of agreement between $Neurocheck^{TM}$ and the survey was 76.5 percent. The specificity of this test was 89.7 percent. Patients who showed a time delay after medication, especially over 3 minutes, were seen only in the severe group. Conclusion : $Neurocheck^{TM}$ could be clinically useful to detect and predict topiramate induced hypohidrosis in pediatric epileptic patients. We recommend that patients who show a delay over 3 minutes in $Neurocheck^{TM}$ test after topiramate initiation should be monitored for hypohydrosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1093-1099
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• 2006

Purpose : Homocysteine is a strong and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The deleterious effects of homocysteine included endothelial dysfunction, arterial intimal-medial thickening, wall stiffness and procoagulant activity. However, the precise mechanism responsible for homocysteine release in children with coronary artery disease is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum homocysteine and tumor necrosis $factor(TNF)-{\alpha}$ levels and identify whether these levels had any association with the development of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods : Serum homocysteine and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels were measured in 24 KD patients(group 1, eight patients with normal coronary artery; group 2, 16 patients with coronary artery lesions) and 21 controls(group 3, 10 afebrile controls; group 4, 11 febrile controls). Blood samples were drawn from each study group before and after intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) therapy and in the convalescent stage. Results : The homocysteine levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 3, and in group 2 than in group 3 and 4. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group 2 than group 3 and 4. Serum homocysteine and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels were highest in group 2 before IVIG therapy. In the acute KD patients, serum homocysteine levels correlated significantly with $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels. Conclusion : The increased serum homocysteine levels in the acute stage increase the susceptibility to coronary arterial lesions in KD. $TNF-{\alpha}$ may also play an important role in the formation of coronary arterial lesions in KD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.1248-1252
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• 2003

Purpose : Chest pain in the pediatric population is not rare and mostly benign. Causes of chest pain are diverse, and differential diagnosis is not easy. Chest pain in children is less likely to be cardiac in origin. Furthermore, chest pain in the pediatric population is rarely associated with life-threatening disease. This study was designed to evaluate children with chest pain and the usefulness of several diagnostic examinations. Methods : Between March 2001 and August 2002, 33 patients(15 boys and 18 girls, aged four to 15 years) presented with chronic chest pain. The records of these patients were reviewed. Chest radiography and electrocardiogram were performed in all patients. Cardiologic and gastrointestinal evaluations were carried out when considered necessary. Results : Chest pain was most common in the age group of 10 to 12 years old, and the four to six years old group. The most common diagnostic findings of chest pain were idiopathic(15 cases, 45.5 %), heart disease(9 cases, 27.3%), upper gastrointestinal disease(6 cases, 18.2%), respiratory disease (2 cases, 6%) and trauma(1 case, 3%). In children with abnormal results of cardiologic evaluation, these findings are not major etiologic categories of chest pain. Through history taking and physical examinations, six cases were evaluated concerning gastrointestinal disease and all of them showed gastrointestinal diseases(esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, nodular gastritis and chronic superficial gastritis). Conclusion : Chest pain is usually benign in children but the possibility of cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disease is considered. Careful history taking, physical examination and proper clinical examinations are usually required to find out the rare life-threatening causes of chest pain.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.248-255
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• 2011

For the environmental friendly soil management on the cultivation of crops in the greenhouse, organic materials, such as the by product-fertilizer derived from livestock manure, rice straw, mushroom media, rice hulls, wood sawdust, and cocopeat, were used as carbon sources adjusting the ratio of carbon to nitrogen to 10, 20, and 30 based on the inorganic soil N. In each C/N ratio of greenhouse soil, watermelon was cultivated in the greenhouse as crop for experiment for the spring and summer of the year and the experimental results were summarized as follows. The concentration of T-C in the organic materials applied were between $289{\sim}429g\;kg^{-1}$, In the C/N ratio of 10, using watermelon as the crop cultivated during the second half of the year in the greenhouse soil, the $NO_3$-N and EC were reduced by 21 to 37%, and 26 to 33%, respectively, except the by product-fertilizer from livestock manure, compared to the soil $NO_3$-N and EC used in the experiment. After the watermelon was cultivated in soils that C/N ratios were controlled as 10, 20, and 30 with wood sawdust adding as carbon sources in the three soils with the different EC values, EC values of the soils were reduced by 33, 42, and 39%, respectively, compared to the soil EC used in the experiment. The weight of watermelon was 10.1-13.4 kg per one unit, and, of the three soils with different EC values. In the soils with three different EC values controlled at C/N ratio of 20, the weight of watermelon was good. The degree of sugar of watermelon were 11.8 to 12.3 Brix, which means that the difference between the treatments was not significant. In conclusion, the C/N ratio of 20 controlled by the proper supply of organic materials according to the representative EC values shown in the greenhouse soils was optimal condition enough to maintain the soil management for the organic culture with the proper nutrient cycling.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 1987

The effect of local hyperthermia of 41 to $43^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes on radiosensitivity of normal tissue was studied utilizing jejunal crypt microcolony assay. Hyperthermia of this range enhanced the radiation effect and the effect was mainly additive without significant effect on the slopes of cell survival curves. At the isoeffect level of 20 microcolony formation, the thermal enhancement ratio was 1.02, 1.10 and 1.39 for $41^{\circ},\;42^{\circ}\;and\;43^{\circ}C$, respectively. The distribution of microcolony formation along the circumference of jejunum was not uniform, having more colonies around the mesenteric border, and this suggests the effect of uneven cooling by blood circulation.