• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.138-144
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• 2012

Dose distribution throughout the clinical organ range of motion was analyzed using a respiratory-motion simulator that was equipped with a polymer gel dosimeter and EBT2 film. The normoxic polymer gel dosimeter was synthesized from gelatin, MAA, HQ, THPC and HPLC. The gel dosimeter and EBT2 film were irradiated with Co-60 gamma rays that were moved along the x-axis and y-axis in ${\pm}1.5cm$ steps at five-second intervals. The field size was $5{\times}5cm^2$. The SSD was 80 cm and set to 10 Gy at a depth of 2 cm. The PDD at a depth of 50 mm was 75.2% in the ion chamber, 82.3% in the static state and 86.1% in the dynamic state in the gel dosimeter. The penumbra for the dynamic state target, which was measured using the gel dosimeter, averaged 10.89 mm, this is a 40.5% increase over the penumbra of the static state target of 7.74 mm. In addition, when measuring with gel dosimetry, the value for the penumbra is 36.6% smaller in the static state and 29.4% smaller in the dynamic state compared to measuring with film. The aim of this study was to investigate the dosimetric properties of a normoxic polymethacrylic acid gel dosimeter in static and dynamic states and to evaluate the potentiality as a relative dosimeter for dynamic therapeutic radiation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.617-637
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• 1996

Occupational dermatosis is one of the most prevalent occupational disorders. However, the extent of the occupational dermatoses including incidences and prevalencies of each disease entity, and etiologic materials are not yet welt stated in Korea. Authors reviewed the literatures on the statistic data and reports on the occupational dermatoses, and surveyed on the occupational dermatoses in two factories, and surveyed the physicians responsible to the occupational dermatoses with formed questionnaire. The results are as follows; 1. Among medical journals published since 1964, there were 31 articles on the occupational dermatoses. Of 31 articles, 18 were case reports and all others were review articles. Of 18 case reports, 9 were epidemiologic survey. The Workers' Periodic Health Examinations revealed that prevalence of the occupational dermatoses was highest(4.36 per 10,000 workers) in 1974, but number of the cases reported were decreased sharply since 1978 with some tendency to increase since 1981. There were 2,240 reported cases of occupational dermatoses between 1966 and 1992, which is 1.90% of all the reported occupational diseases. Skin infection and injuries due to chemicals were most frequent and there were 6 cases of skin cancer. 2. In an epidemiological survey on the dermatoses among 995 workers in a metal product manufacturing factory and 225 workers in a coal chemical factory, there were 794 with dermatomycosis, 296 workers with acne, 130 workers with scar, 123 workers with deformity of toe nails. Scars, photosensitivity dermatitis, deformity of finger and toe nails, and acne were more prevalent in the metal product manufacturing factory(p<0.05). In the metal prouct manufacturing factory, workers treating organic solvents and oils had more dermatoses than those without treating the materials(p<0.05). On the skin patch performed on 16 workers in the metal product manufacturing factory, there were 8 cases of irritation dermatitis and 5 cases of contact dermatitis. Prevalence of contact dermatitis in the metal product manufacturing factory was 1.3%. 3. On the questionnaire survey, 34 dermatologists, 29 doctors of preventive medicine, and 22 family physician replied. The proportion of occupational etiology among all dermatoses assumed by the physicians were below 9%, and the most important occupational dermatosis in Korea was contact dermatitis. Main etiologic materials related to the occupational dermatosis were organic solvent, acid and alkali, and metals. The reason for the scarcity of report of occupational dermatoses were difficulty in diagnosis and physician's ignorance of the occupational etiology. They replied that to prevent the occupational dermatoses in the workplace, the use of protective devices was most important, and development of diagnostic criteria on the occupational dermatoses is urgent. Above results shows us that there is many workers with occupational dermatoses, but they are mostly unreported. Measures to prevent and manage the occupational dermatoses are not satisfactory at present. Hence, authors suggest measures for the precise diagnosis, report and prevention of the occupational dermatoses. a. Dermatologist, preventive physician, and industrial hygienist should work as a team to examine the high risk group and establish the preventive measures. b. Disease entities, diagnostic criteria of occupational dermatoses should be listed, criteria for the compensation and job fitting at recruitment should be established, and manual for the proper treatment and effective prevention of each occupational dermatosis should be developed. c. Patch test antigens against each occupational category should be developed and it should be available to any physicians responsible. d. To facilitate the diagnosis of occupational dermatoses by the doctors responsible for the Workersr Periodic Health Examination, development of standardized questionnaire, education on the techniques of the patch test, and cooperation with the dermatologist in diagnosis of occupational dermatoses is essential.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2005

Purpose : The long term disease course and prognostic factors were evaluated in childhood Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ puruura nephritis(HSPN). Methods : A total of 75 children(44 boys and 31 girls) with HSPN were included in this study. The onset age was $8.0{\pm}3.1$ years(2.3-l5.3 years), and the follow-up period was $4.3{\pm}3.6$ years(1.0-17.1 years). Kidney biopsy was done in 24 children(32$\%$). Initial clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated. In addition, polymorphisms of the renin angiotensin system(RAS) genes(insertion/deletion in intron 16 of ACE gene, M235T in AGT gene, and A1166C in AGTR gene) were analysed. The initial and last clinical states were classified into 4 groups as follows A, normal; B, minor urinary abnormalities; C, active renal disease (nephrotic-range proteinuria and/or hypertension with serum creatinine $\leq$1.5 mg/dL); D, renal insufficiency. Results : At the onset, the clinical states of the patients were B in 26(35$\%$), C in 46(61$\%$), and D, in 3(4$\%$). The distribution of the RAS gene polymorphism of HSPN were not different from that of 100 healthy control subjects. At the last follow-up, the clinical states of the patients were A in 23(31$\%$), B in 38(50$\%$), C in 9(12$\%$), and D in 5(7$\%$). A multiple logistic regression identified age at the onset and initial urine protein excretion as significant prognostic factors. Analysis of genotypes of the 3 RAS genes as prognostic values revealed no statistical significance. Conclusion : Older age at onset and severe proteinuria were identified as poor prognostic factors of childhood HSPN. Implication of the RAS gene polymorphism In HSPN could not be validated in this small-scale retrospective study. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:183-192)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2006

Purpose : In Korea, the school urine screening program is a useful tool for screening urine abnormalities. It is particularly useful in early detection of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(MPGN) I, which frequently progresses to chronic renal failure. In this study, we studied the medical history, laboratory findings, and histologic findings of MPGN to gain helpful information on early detection and treatment. Methods : The subjects were 19 children, who were diagnosed with MPGN from kidney biopsies that were performed in ten nationwide university hospitals because of abnormal urine findings from school urine screening programs conducted from July 1999 to April 2004. We divided the patients into 2 groups, a nephrotic range proteinuria group(n=8) and a non-nephrotic proteinuria group(n=11), and retrospectively analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings, histologic findings, treatment, and clinical course. Results : The mean age at the first abnormal urinalysis was $10.6{\pm}2.2$ years in the nephrotic proteinuria group and $9.6{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group. The mean age at the time of kidney biopsy was $11.3{\pm}2.3$ years in the nephrotic range proteinuria group and $10.4{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean age and sex between the two groups. In the nephrotic proteinuria group, 6 children had a low plasma C3 level and in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group, 8 children had a low plasma C3 level, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the laboratory test results(including WBC count, RBC count, platelet count and other serologic tests) between the 2 groups except for 24 hour urine protein secretion. There was no difference between the 2 groups with regard to the acute and chronic changes in the glomerulus on light microscopic findings, IgG, IgA, Ig M, C1q, C3, C4, fibrogen deposition on immunofluoroscence findings, and mesangial deposits, subendothelial deposits, and subepithelial deposits on electron microscopic findings. The children were treated with corticosteroids, ACE(angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, dipyridamole and other immunosuppressive agents. During the course of treatment, there were no children whose clinical condition worsened. Among 19 children, 3 children went into remission(2 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 1 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) and 9 children went into a partial remission(4 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 5 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) on urinalysis. There was no significant difference in the treatment results between the two groups. Conclusion : The 73.7% of children who were incidentally diagnosed with MPGN by the school urine screening program had reduced C3. 42.1% of the children had nephrotic range proteinuria. There were no significant differences in clinical features, laboratory test results, light microscopic, immunofluorescence microscopic, and electron microscopic findings between the nephrotic proteinuria group and the non-nephrotic proteinuria group except for the 24 hour urine protein secretion. Therefore, for early detection of MPGN during the school urine screening program, we strongly recommend a kidney biopsy if children have abnormal urine findings such as persistent proteinuria and persistent hematuria, or if the serum C3 is reduced.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.189-196
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• 2009

Purpose : The pathophysiologic mechanism of nephrotic syndrome is not yet known clearly. At least in some cases, certain 'circulating factors' are thought to increase the glomerular protein permeability. Considering the systemic effect of the circulating factor on peritoneal membrane, we evaluated the loss of protein through peritoneal membrane in patients on peritoneal dialysis due to the end stage renal disease (ESRD) caused by steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 26 pediatric patients on peritoneal dialysis ensued during the period from 2001 to 2007 at our clinic. Twelve patients had SRNS, while 14 patients had ESRD caused by the congenital anomalies of urinary system. Results : While the other parameters including nPNA indicating the adequacy of protein intake were similar between the two groups, serum albumin was lower in SRNS patients than the non-SRNS patients ($3.7{\pm}0.3$ g/dL vs. $4.0{\pm}0.4$ g/dL, P=0.021). Peritoneal protein loss was higher in SRNS patients than in non-SRNS patients ($3,044.4{\pm}837.6\;mg/m^2$/day vs. $1,791.6{\pm}1,244.0\;mg/m^2$/day, P=0.007). The protein permeability of the peritoneal membrane measured by the ratio of total protein concentration in dialysate to plasma was twice as high in SRNS patients as the non-SRNS ($1.06{\pm}0.46%$ vs. $0.58{\pm}0.43%$, P=0.010). After 1 year, peritoneal protein loss increased in both patient groups, but to a significantly greater degree in non-SRNS patient (P=0.023). Conclusion : The results of our study support the notion that in nephrotic syndrome there are some 'circulating factors' with the systemic effect. Since the greater protein loss through peritoneal membrane in SRNS was confirmed in this study, more meticulous nutritional support and close monitoring on the nutrition are required in these patients.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.176-188
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• 2009

Purpose : Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the major form of dialysis in use for infants and children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to gain insight into the current status of children on PD in Korea. Methods : In May 2008, questionnaires were sent to the pediatric nephrologists via e-mail. Four centers replied and those data were reviewed. Results : A total of 103 patients were included in this study. Male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Mean age was $11.5{\pm}4.9$ years (0-19 years). Primary renal diseases diagnosed were as follows: primary glomerular disease (34%), chronic pyelonephritis-reflux nephropathy (14.6%), systemic disease (9.7%), renal hypoplasia/dysplasia (8.7%), heredofamilial disease (6.8%), vascular disease (3.9%), drug-induced nephropathy (1.0%), and unknown (12.6%). PD modalities were as follows: CAPD (42.7%), CCPD (27.2%), NIPD (11.7%), and Hybrid (18.4%). Weekly total Kt/V was $2.1{\pm}0.7$ (0.3-4.1). Results of peritoneal equilibrium test were as follows: low 36.8%, low average 31.6%, high average 19.7%, and high 11.8%. Z-score for weight was $-1.00{\pm}1.20$ (-4.54~+2.50). Z-score for height was $-1.55{\pm}1.65$ (-9.42~+1.87). Growth hormone was administered in 24.3% of patients. Anti-hypertensive drugs were administered in 64.0% of patients. Laboratory findings were as follows: hemoglobin $10.5{\pm}1.4$ g/dL, calcium $9.7{\pm}0.7$ mg/dL, phosphorus $5.4{\pm}1.4$ mg/dL, and parathyroid hormone $324.2{\pm}342.8$ pg/mL. Conclusion : Primary glomerular disease was the most common cause of ESRD. CAPD was the most prevalent PD modality. Low and low average peritoneal transport type were common. Growth disturbance were noted in many patients. Some patients had hypertension even with anti- hypertensive drugs. Calcium-phosphorus levels were maintained adequately, but many patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2009

Purpose : This study was performed to report the diagnosis and treatment of nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year of life. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data with chart review in 7 patients who were diagnosed as nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year of life from 1996 to 2007. Results : Three patients had congenital nephrotic syndrome, the other 4 patients had infantile nephrotic syndrome. Their ages ranged from birth to 11 months and male to female ratio was 1 to 6. Renal biopsies were done in 6 patients. One patient had Finnish type congenital nephrotic syndrome, 2 patients had diffuse mesangial sclerosis, 2 patients had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and 1 patient had minimal change disease. Genetic analyses of NPHS2, PLCE1, and WT1 were done in 4 patients and 2 of them had WT1 mutation. Among 3 patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome, 1 patient was diagnosed as congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type and the other 2 patients were diagnosed as Denys-Drash syndrome. All of the patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome died due to sepsis. Among 4 patients with infantile nephrotic syndrome, 2 patients died and 1 had remission, another patient progressed to end stage renal disease. Conclusion : Most of nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year was hereditary renal disease. Patients with nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the 3 month of life had poorer prognosis and needed more aggressive management including early dialysis and renal transplantation might be considered compared with infantile nephrotic syndrome. Further genotype-phenotype correlation studies are needed.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.223-227
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• 2008

The aerial parts of Sajabalssuk (Artemisia princeps PAMPANINI, Sajabalssuk) was extracted with 80% aqueous MeOH, and the concentrated extract was partitioned with EtOAc, n-BuOH and $H_2O$, successively. From the EtOAc fraction, three cycloartane-type triterpnoids and one ursane-type triterpenoid were isolated through the repeated silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. From the results of physico-chemical data including NMR, MS and IR, the chemical structures of the triterpenoids were determined as wrightial (1), wrightial acetate (2), 27-norcycloart-20(21)-ene-25-al-3${\beta}$-ol acetate (3) and ursolic acid (4). No report has been found for isolation of compound 3 in the literature so far, and compounds 1, 2 and 3 were the first to be isolated from Sajabalssuk (Artemisia princeps PAMPANINI, Sajabalssuk). Also, compound 1 showed Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol acyltransferase (hACAT-1) and hACAT-2 inhibitory activity with the $IC_{50}$ values of 33.0 and 45.0 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Compounds 2 and 3 inhibited hACAT-1 activity with the $IC_{50}$ values of 12.0 and 16.0 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.378-394
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• 2016

Purpose: Screening of preschool-age children for nutrition programs to improve dietary intake and behaviors requires cost-effective and easily administered validated assessment tools. The purpose of this study was to develop a parent/caregiver-administered instrument for measuring diet quality and behaviors of preschoolers as a nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P). Methods: Development of NQ-P was carried out in three steps: item generation, item reduction, and validation. The 24-h dietary record was selected as the gold standard reference tool. The 38 items of the NQ-P checklist were derived from a systematic literature review, expert in-depth interviews, statistical analysis of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to parents who recorded 24-h dietary intakes of 100 responders aged 3~5 yr. Pearson's correlation was used to measure the level of agreement between questionnaires. Item reduction was performed, and 20 items were selected based on survey results, expert reviews, and priorities of national nutrition policy and recommendations. The 412 nationwide subjects sampled through daycare centers completed the 20-item checklist questionnaire. The construct validity of the NQ-P was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, LISREL. Results: After analyses of exploratory factors, NQ-P items identified three dimensions of diet (balance, moderation, and environment). The three-factor structure accounted for 49.28% of the total variance. Standardized path coefficients were used as weights of the items. The NQ-P and three-factor scores of the subjects were calculated by the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Conclusion: A food behavior checklist for preschoolers' NQ would be a useful and suitable instrument for evaluating nutrition adequacy and dietary quality of Korean preschoolers.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.270-281
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• 2002

The growth of Enterobacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. plantarum was promoted by natural products themselves bearing antioxidative capacity and combined two, three and four kinds of them.1. acidophilus was promoted by Paeonia japonica, Acori graminei rhizoma, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium, alone, and two mixed combinations were composed of Acori graminei rhizoma and Cinnamomi cortex, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium and Puerariae radix, and three mixed combinations were formed with Cimicifugae rhi- zoma, Cinnamomi cortex and Glycyrrhizae radix, and four mixed combinations were made up Glycyrrhizae radix, Theae folium, Scutellaria baicalensis george and Cinnamomi cortex. There four combination promoted growth of 1. acidophilus with 1.3 times than that of control, and their antioxidative capacity also higher than that off times, the ratio of elimination of hydroxyl radical was more than 70% in dilution rate of 100 times. In the case of 1. plantarum was premoted by Corm fructus, Nelumbo nuclfera gaertner Sophorae flos, alone, and two mixed combinations were organized with Schizandrae Iructus and Theae folium, Paeonia japonica and Epimedii herba, and three mixed combinations were combined with Corni fructus and Theae folium and Paeonia japonica, Corni fructus and Coptidis rhizoma and Schieandrae fructus, and four mixed combinations were composed of Corm fructus, Theae folium, Coptidis rhizoma, Scutellaria baicalensis george, and Corm fructus, Schizandrae fructus, Paeonia japonica, Theae folium. These four combinations assisted growth of 1. plantarum with 1.5 times than that of control, and their antioxidative capacity also higher than that of 4-5 times, the ratio of elimination of hydroxyl radical was more than 75% in dilution rate of 100 times. As these combinations of natural products could activate some parts of body, they might be applied pharmaceuitcal sources, functional foods, and expected to fermentative beverages.