• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to obtain the basic information for the improvement of dental environment by investigating the presence of methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA or VRSA) isolated from dental health care workers (DHCWs) and environment of the Chosun University Dental Hospital (CUDH) and a private dental clinic (control group). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was isolated from anterior nares of 42 DHCWS and 38 sites, unit chairss, x-ray devices, computers, etc., at 10 departments of the CUDH and 20 DHCWs and 11 sites at the private dental clinic. S. aureus was isolated on mannitol salt agar plate and confirmed by PCR with S. aureus species-specific primer. Antimicrobial susceptibility test of clinical isolates of S. aureus against several antibiotics including methicillin (oxacillin) was performed by investigating minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using broth microdilution assay. In addition, PCR was performed to detect the methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant gene. The data showed that one strain of S. aureus was isolated from DHCWs of the CUDH and three strains of S. aureus was isolated from 3 samples of the private dental clinic, respectively. All of the isolates from the CUDH and the private dental clinic had resistance to penicillin G, amoxicillin and vancomycin and susceptibility to oxacillin and ciprofloxacin. The S. aureus strains were already obtained the resistance to penicillin G and amoxicillin. These results suggest that two dental clinics were under relatively safe environment.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.2 no.2 s.3
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• pp.43-50
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• 1994

The geologic structure of Gongju Basin, which is a Cretaceous sedimentary basin located on the boundary of Gyeonggi Massif and Ogcheon Belt, is modeled by using gravity data and interpreted in relation with basin forming tectonism. The electrical survey with dipole-dipole array was also conducted to uncover the development of fractures in the two fault zones which form the boundaries of the basin. In the process of gravity data reduction, the terrain correction was performed by using the conic prism model, which showed better results specially for topography having a steep slope. The gravity model of the geologic structure of Gongju basin is obtained by forward modeling based on the surface geology and density inversion. It reveals that the width of the basin at its central part is about $4{\cal}km$ and about $2.5{\cal}km$ at the southern part. The depth of crystalline basement beneath sedimentary rocks of the basin is about $700{\~}400{\cal}m$ below the sea level and it is thinner in the center than in margin. The fault of the southeastern boundary appears more clearly than that of the northwestern boundary, and its fracture zone may extended to the depth of more than $1{\cal}km$. Therefore, it is thought that the tectonic movement along the fault in the southeastern boundary was much stronger. These results coincide with the appearance of broad low resistivity anomaly at the southeastern boundary of the basin in the resistivity section. The fracture zones having low density are also recognized inside the basin from the gravity model. The swelling feature of basement and the fractures in sedimentary rocks of the basin suggest that the compressional tectonic stress had also involved after the deposition of the Cretaceous sediments.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.332-338
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• 2012

Soil compaction is one of the major problems facing modern agriculture. Overuse of machinery, intensive cropping, short crop rotations, intensive grazing and inappropriate soil management leads to compaction. This study was carried out evaluate of the effects soil texture and different compaction levels within the soil profile on the soybean root growth and productivity. The soybean plants were grown in $21cm{\o}{\times}30cm$ cylinder pots using three different soil textures (clay, fine loamy and coarse loamy) compacted at different compaction levels (1.25, 1.50, 1.75, and 2.00 MPa). Results revealed that soybean development is more sensitive on penetration resistance, irrespective of soil type. Soybean yield and root weight density significantly decreases with increasing levels of soil compaction in both clayey and fine loamy soils, but not in coarse loamy soil. The highest root weight density was recorded in coarse loamy soils, followed by fine loamy and clay soils, in descending order. The root growth by soil compaction levels started to decline from 1.16, 1.28 and 1.60 MPa for clay, fine loamy and coarse loamy soils. Soybean production in the field experiment decreased about 30% at compacted sub-soils compared to undisturbed soils.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.519-530
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• 2016

Vegetative plants in Yakutia are naturally frozen when they are covered with snow in the fall, and they function as green cryo-fodder that is a source of biologically active substances and nutrients for herbivorous animals. We observed a considerable increase in the total fatty acid content in the leaves of Avena sativa, Elytrigia rеpens, Equisetum variegatum and Equisetum scirpoides during the fall period. However, the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids was not higher in the frozen plants covered with snow than in the summer plants, with the exception of E. scirpoides, a dwarf horsetail found in the Pole of Cold in the northern hemisphere. In the internal adipose tissue of the Yakut horse (young horse meat), 18 fatty acids were found, including 10 saturated ones. Monounsaturated oleic С18:1 (n-9) acid and polyunsaturated α-linolenic С18:3 (n-3) acid were equally prevalent among the unsaturated fatty acids, accounting for 70% of the total unsaturated fatty acids. This composition of polyenoic fatty acids in the internal adipose tissue indicates that the Yakut horse actively feeds on the fall vegetation and the wintergreen sedge-grass. We believe that the high plant-specific free fatty acid content in the tissue of Yakut horses may play an important role in the regulation of their resistance to long-term low-temperature stress.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to compare heavy metal concentrations in uncontaminated soil with those in soil influenced by industrial activities, and to investigate the relationship between change of heavy metal content and the kind of industry at the Iksan 1st Industrial Complex that has started since 1975. Soils sampled in 0-3㎝ and 3-6㎝ soil depth, respectively were analized for content of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Change of heavy metal content in soil of the industrial complex were more accumulated 16 to 25% of Cd and Cu, 93% of Pb and Zn, respectively in samples compared with natural soil uncontaminated. But there was no different in Ni content between two soil. Distribution of Cd in soil layer of 0 to 3cm was the highest concentration of 5 ppm more at the textile industries, and then higher at the chemicals and the food processing industries. In 3 to 6㎝ soil layer Cd content was the highest concentration of 5 ppm more at the metal processing industries, and then higher at the textile industries. Cd accumulation in soil was different according to a kind of industry and soil depth. Cu content was the highest value of 400 ppm more in soil layer of 0 to 3cm at the manufacturing electric wires industry area and showed the accumulation phenomenon in soil layer 3 to 6cm at the ohmmeter, machines and electric wires industry area. Ni content was 35 ppm more in soil of the metal plating and processing industries regardless of soil sampling layer. Then it was 25 ppm more in soil of the building stones and semiconductor industries. Pb content was from 400 to 1000 ppm in soil of the chemicals and textiles industries regardless of soil sampling layer. Zn content was 1200 ppm more in soil of the chemicals and silk fabrics industries regardless of soil depth, and then lower in order to soil of leather processing${\le}$metal plating industries. In conclusion, changes of heavy metal kinds and content in soil of this industrial complex area were caused by the type or kinds of industrial activities. Changes of Pb and Zn content in soil were dominated at this area.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.188-201
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• 2005

This is the first part of a two-part paper which describes comparison of reliability design methods by application to Donghae Harbor Breakwaters. This paper, Part 1, is restricted to stability of armor blocks, while Part 2 deals with sliding of caissons. Reliability design methods have been developed fur breakwater designs since the mid-1980s. The reliability design method is classified into three categories depending on the level of probabilistic concepts being employed. In the Level 1 method, partial safety factors are used, which are predetermined depending on the allowable probability of failure. In the Level 2 method, the probability of failure is evaluated with the reliability index, which is calculated using the means and standard deviations of the load and resistance. The load and resistance are assumed to distribute normally. In the Level 3 method, the cumulative quantity of failure (e.g. cumulative damage of armor blocks) during the lifetime of the breakwater is calculated without assumptions of normal distribution of load and resistance. Each method calculates different design parameters, but they can be expressed in terms of probability of failure so that tile difference can be compared among the different methods. In this study, we applied the reliability design methods to the stability of armor blocks of the breakwaters of Donghae Harbor, which was constructed by traditional deterministic design methods to be damaged in 1987. Analyses are made for the breakwaters before the damage and after reinforcement. The probability of failure before the damage is much higher than the target probability of failure while that for the reinforced breakwater is much lower than the target value, indicating that the breakwaters before damage and after reinforcement were under- and over-designed, respectively. On the other hand, the results of the different reliability design methods were in fairly good agreement, confirming that there is not much difference among different methods.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 1998

This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the prognostic value and histologic correlation of sonography in childhood nephrotic syndrome. Sixty-nine patients with proteinuria over 2g per day at the time of presentation who were treated at the Korea University Hospital were included in this review. They were 1 to 15 years old(mean age, 7.8 years) with 49 males and 20 females. In each patient an ultrasound examination was done using SPA 1000(Diasonics, C.A., U.S.A.) on admission. Tissue specimens were obtained from 46 patients. The paraffin-embedded specimens were reviewed with special reference to interstitial edema, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, global sclerosis or inflammatory cell infiltrates. Biopsy proven renal disease were minimal change disease(n=20), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(n=7), membranous glomerulonephritis(n=2), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(n=1), $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ purpura nephritis(n=6), IgA nephropathy(n=5), poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(n=2), systemic lupus erythematosus(n=1) and Alport syndrome(n=2). There was a significant relationship between increased cortical echogenicity and global sclerosis or tubular atrophy(P<0.05). But no significant relationship was found between increased cortical echogenicity and interstitial fibrosis, interstitial edema, or inflammatory cell infiltration. In biopsy-proven primary nephrotic syndrome(n=30), no significant relationship was found between the increased conical echogenicity and the interstitial edema, interstitial fibrosis, global sclerosis, tubular atrophy or inflammatory cell infiltration. But there was a significant relationship between increased cortical echogenicity and resistance to corticosteroid (P<0.05). These results suggest that increased cortical echogenicity may be due to tubular atrophy or global sclerosis in patients with proteinuria and may be an effective indicator of resistance to corticosteroid in primary nephrotic syndrome.(J Korean Soc of Pediatr Nephrol 2:26-33, 1998)

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.34 no.4 s.105
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• pp.303-312
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• 2004

An unfavorable tipping movement can occur during the retraction of anterior teeth because orthodontic force is loaded by brackets positioned far from the center of resistance. To avoid this unfavorable movement, a compensating curved wire or lingual root torque wire is used. The purpose of this study is to investigate, using photoelastic material, the distribution of initial stress associated with the retraction of the incisors according to the degree of the compensating curve, to model changes associated with tooth ud alveolar bone structure. The following results were obtained by analysis of the polarizing plate of the effects of initial stress resulting from retraction of the anterior teeth: 1. When the incisors were retracted using combination archwire or sliding mechanics, the maximal polarizing pattern of the apical area decreased as the degree of the compensating owe increased from 0 to 15 to 30. 2. When the incisors were retracted by the combination archwire or sliding mechanics, the maximal polarizing pattern of the canine and premolar area increased as the degree of the compensating curve increased from 0to 15to 30. 3. A lower degree of polarizing patterns were associated with the combination archwire technique than the sliding mechanics technique at a given force. The above results indicate that there is no significant difference between the combination loop archwire technique and sliding mechanics, for the retraction of maxillary anterior teeth with decreased lingual tipping tendency by a compensating curve on the arch wire. However, the use of sliding mechanics is more effective for the prevention of lingual inclination of the anterior teeth, because the hook used in sliding mechanics is closer to the center of resistance of the maxillary anterior teeth.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2009

Purpose: To investigate the physical and biochemical parameters related with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in obese children. Methods: One hundred forty-two obese or overweight children who visited the out-patient clinics of Chungnam National University Hospital between January 2006 and August 2008 were enrolled. Physical measures and biochemical tests were performed in all patients. Liver sonography was performed in 43 patients. They were divided into the following 2 groups based on ALT levels: group I, normal ALT levels (n=65); and group II, elevated ALT levels (n=77). We compared the physical measures, biochemical results, and ultrasonographic findings of the livers in both groups. Other causes of elevated serum ALT levels were ruled out. Results: The male-to-female ratios were 1.6:1 in group I and 7.6:1 in group II. Among physical parameters, the waist circumference-to-height ratio and hip circumference-to-height ratio were significantly higher in group II (p=0.001 and 0.046, respectively). Among biochemical parameters, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}$-GT), and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in group II (p<0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The AST/ALT ratio was <1 (mean, 0.55) and statistically lower in group II. There was a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and ${\gamma}$-GT (p<0.001, r=0.750), and a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and the waist circumference-to-height ratio in group II (p<0.001, r=0.401). Conclusion: The results suggest that the waist circumference-to-height ratio and ${\gamma}$-GT may be associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase activity in obese children.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.8 s.265
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• pp.579-587
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• 2006

Background: Preoperative risk analysis for Fontan candidates is still less than optimal in that patients with apparently low risks may have poor surgical outcome; prolonged pleural drainage, protein losing enteropathy, pulmonary thromboembolism and death. We hypothesized that low pulmonary vascular compliance (PVC) is a risk factor for prolonged pleural effusion drainage after the Fontan operation. Material and Method: A retrospective review of 96 consecutive patients who underwent the Extracardiac Fontan procedures (median age: 3.9 years) was performed. Fontan risk score (FRS) was calculated from 12 categorized preoperative anatomic and physiologic variables. PVC $(mm^2/m^2{\cdot}mmHg)$ was defined as pulmonary artery index $(mm^2/m^2)$ divided by total pulmonary resistance $(W.U{\cdot}/m^2)$ and pulmonary blood flow $(L/min/m^2)$ based on the electrical circuit analogue of the pulmonary circulation. Chest tube indwelling time was log-transformed (log indwelling time, LIT) to fit normal distribution, and the relationship between preoperative predictors and LIT was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Result: Preoperative PVC, chest tube indwelling time and LIT ranged from 6 to 94.8 $mm^2/mmHg/m^2$ (median: 24.8), 3 to 268 days (median: 20 days), and 1.1 to 5.6 (mean: 2.9, standard deviation: 0.8), respectively. FRS, PVC, cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPB) and central venous pressure at postoperative 12 hours were correlated with LIT by univariable analyses. By multiple linear regression, PVC (p=0.0018) and CPB (p=0.0024) independently predicted LIT, explaining 21.7% of the variation. The regression equation was LIT=2.74-0.0158 PVC+0.00658 CPB. Conclusion: Low pulmonary vascular compliance is an important risk factor for prolonged pleural effusion drainage after the extracardiac Fontan procedure.