• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.34-41
• /
• 2000

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of diffusion weighted MR imaging(DWI) in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors. Materials and methods: DWI and conventional MR images of nineteen patients with brain tumors(10 metastatic tumors, 4 high grade gliomas, 4 low grade astrocytomas, one oligodendroglioma)were obtained on 1.5T unit. DWI was obtained using single shot spin echo planar imaging with b-value near 1000. We analyzed the signal intensities of lesions including solid portion, necrotic or cystic portion and peritumoral edema of brain tumors (classified five grades comparison with the signal intensities of brain parenchyma and CSF)and calculate the SIR(signal intensity ratio)of lesions to the contralateral normal brain parenchyma. We analyzed statistically the signal intensities and SIR of tumors using independence T test. Results: In solid portions of tumors, all the metastatic tumors and high grade gliomas showed high signal intensities, but low grade astrocytomas and oligodendroglioma showed iso or slight high signal intensities to the normal brain parenchyma. The SIR of solid portion has positive correlation with malignant pot ential(metastatic tumors 1.52, high grade gliomas 1.38, low grade astrocytomas 1.16, oligodendroglioma 1.31)(p < 0.05). In peritumoral edema where seen in 14 tumors, seven of 10 metastatic tumors and two of 4 high grade gliomas showed iso signal intensities, whereas edemas in other 5 brain tumors showed hyperintense to the normal brain parenchyma. The SIRs of peritumoral edemas in metastatic tumors (1.14) was lower than high grade gliomas(1.31),but statistically insignificant. The SIR of cystic or necrotic portion of brain tumors was 0.63. In non enhancing solid portions, three of six cases showed hyperintense to the adjacent peritumoral edema. Conclusion: On DWI, the signal intensities of solid portion has positive correlation with malignant potential, and perilesional edema of brain tumors appear various signal intensities owing to "T2 shine through effect" and the extensiveness of vasogenic edema. Another merit using DWI on the evaluation of brain tumors is to improved better delineation of tumor margins from the adjacent edemas, especially at the non enhancing solid portion of the tumors.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.143-149
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of the mixture of probiotics (MP) on growth performance, size of small intestine, cecal microflora and ammonia concentrations in broiler chicks. A total of 700, one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four treatments with seven replications having 25 birds per pen. The birds were fed one of the four experimental diets; containing no antibiotics nor MP (negative control, NC), containing antibiotics without MP(positive control, PC), negative control with MP 0.1% and negative control with MP 0.2% for 5 weeks. During overall experiment, birds in PC and MP treatments had higher final BW and daily BW gains than birds in NC treatments; however, the significance was not identified. The feed conversion ratio of the chicks fed the diet containing MP was significantly improved as compared to those fed the NC diets. The weights of jejunum were increased by the MP (p<0.05), but weights of duodenum, ileum and length of small intestine were similar among the groups. Birds in PC treatment showed lower populations of total microbes and lactic acid bacteria than other groups (p<0.05), cecal ammonia concentrations of the chicks fed the diet containing MP were significantly decreased as compared to those of NC and PC (p<0.01). In conclusion, MP added to the broiler diets improved the feed conversion rate and reduced cecal ammonia concentration.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.323-329
• /
• 2013

Strawberries are among the leading ready-to-eat agricultural products that have superior taste and nutrition. Thus, consumer concerns about the safety of eating strawberries are growing. To evaluate the contamination levels of strawberries according to their cultivation methods (nutriculture, pesticide-free culture and organic farming) and parts [fruit (flesh), stalk (pedunle) and leaf (calyx)], 1,020 parts of strawberry samples were collected at 12 farms in Nonsan-si and quantitatively or qualitatively examined for the indicators of food safety and food poisoning bacteria. The total aerobic bacteria count in the whole samples was 2.3~6.8 ${\log}_{10}$ CFU/g, and coliform bacteria were detected in 14.2% of the whole samples with a contamination level range of 2.1~4.5 log CFU/g. E. coli were detected in 0.9% of the whole samples with a contamination level range of 2.1~2.8 log CFU/g. The analysis of the bacterial levels according to the cultivation methods showed that the total aerobic bacteria and coliform counts were higher in the strawberries that were grown via organic farming than in those that were grown via nutriculture and pesticide-free culture. However, the E. coli counts of the strawberries that were grown via organic farming and via pesticide-free culture were similar and differed from that of the strawberries that were grown via nutriculture. The analysis of the contamination levels according to the parts of the strawberries showed that the total aerobic bacteria, coliform and E. coli counts of the fruits, stalks and leaves of the strawberries did not significantly differ. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in two organically grown strawberries, but Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 were not detected in the whole samples. These results show that the bacterial contamination levels of the strawberries differed based on their cultivation methods. Thus, a suitable method of reducing the bacterial contamination levels of strawberries according to their farming methods is needed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.291-301
• /
• 1998

Purpose : A retrospective study was conducted comparing single daily fraction (SDF) thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) with twice daily (BID) TRT to determine the potential benefit of BID TRT in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Endpoints of the study were response. survival, pattern of failure, and acute toxicity. Materials and Methods : Between November 1989 to December 1996, 78 patients with histologically proven limited-stage SCLC were treated at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital. Of these, 9 were irradiated for palliative intent, and 1 had recurrent disease. Remaining 68 patients were enrolled in this study. There were 26 patients with a median age of 58 years, and 22 (85$\%$) ECOG performance score of less than 1 in SDF TRT. There were 42 patients with a median age of 57 years, and 36 (86$\%$) ECOG performance score of less than 1 in BID TRT By radiation fractionation regimen, there were 26 in SDF TRT and 42 in BID TRT. SDF TRT consisted of 180 cGy, 5 days a week. BID TRT consisted of 150 cGy BID, 5 days a week in 13 of 42 and 120 cGy BID, in 29 of 42. And the twice daily fractions were separated by at least 4 hours. Total radiotherapy doses were between 5040 and 6940 cGy (median, 5040 cGy) in SDF TRT and was between 4320 and 5100 cGy (median, 4560 cGy) in BID TRT. Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) was recommended for patients who achieved a CR. The recommended PCI dose was 2500 cGy/10 fractions. Chemotherapy consisted of CAV (cytoxan 1000 mg/$m^2$, adriamycin 40 mg/$m^2$, vincristine 1 mg/$m^2$) alternating with VPP (cisplatin 60 mg/$m^2$, etoposide 100 mg/$m^2$) every 3 weeks in 25 (96$\%$) of SDF TRT and in 40 (95$\%$) of BID TRT. Median cycle of chemotherapy was six in both group. Timing for chemotherapy was sequential in 23 of SDF TRT and in 3 BID TRT, and concurrent in 3 of SDF TRT and in 39 of BID TRT Follow-up ranged from 2 to 99 months (median, 14 months) in both groups. Results : Of the 26 SDF TRT, 9 (35$\%$) achieved a complete response (CR) and 14 (54$\%$) experienced a partial response (PR). Of the 42 BID TRT, 18 (43$\%$) achieved a CR and 23 (55$\%$) experienced a PR. There was no significant response difference between the two arms (p=0.119). Overall median and 2-year survival were 15 months and 26.8$\%$, respectively. The 2-year survivals were 26.9$\%$ and 28$\%$ in both arm, respectively (p=0.51). The 2-rear survivals were 35$\%$ in CR and 24.2$\%$ in PR, respectively. The grade 2 to 3 esophageal toxicities and grade 2 to 4 neutropenias were more common in BID TRT (p=0.028 0.003). There was no difference in locoregional and distant metastasis between the two arms (p=0 125 and 0.335, respectively). The most common site of distant metastasis was the brain. Conclusion : The median survival and 2-year survival were 17 months and 20.9$\%$ in SDF TRT with sequential chemotherapy, and 15 months and 28$\%$ in BID TRT with concurrent chemotherapy, respectively. We did not observe a substantial improvement of long-term survival in the BID TRT with concurrent chemotherapy compared with standard schedules of SDF TRT with sequential chemotherapy. The grade 2 to 3 esophageal toxicities and glade 2 to 4 neutropenias were more common in BID TRT with concurrent chemotherapy. Although the acute toxicities were more common in BID TRT with concurrent chemotherapy than SDF TRT with sequential chemotherapy, a concurrent chemotherapy and twice daily TRT was feasible. However further patient accrual and long-term follow up are needed to determine the potential benefits of BID TRT in limited-stage SCLC.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.436-442
• /
• 2008

Hydroxyproline and Pro-Hyp dipeptide are the digestive products of collagen hydrolysate called collagen peptide. Some suggested that collagen peptides could improve aged or damaged skins, however, the effects of collagen peptides on the skin have not been known. In this study, we investigated the effects of digestive products of collagen peptides, hydroxyproline and Pro-Hyp dipeptide on skin quality using the UV-damaged dorsal skin of hairless mouse as a model system. Female SKH hairless mice were pre-irradiated with UV for 7 weeks, and then hydroxyproline, Pro-Hyp dipeptide were orally administered for 7 weeks with UV irradiation. Wrinkle formation (by replica image), skin elasticity, barrier status (by TEWL, transepidermal water loss), epidermis thickness, and biophysical changes in the stratum comeum (by hematoxylin & eosin staining) were examined. With the oral peptide treatment, effects such as skin barrier maintenance, anti-skin thickening, and recovery of the stratum corneum were observed. These results indicate that oral intake of collagen peptides may have beneficial effects on damaged skin cells.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2009

Purpose: We investigated the outcome and the prognostic factors of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who were treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Two hundred forty six patients with esophageal cancer that were treated by radiotherapy between January 1994 and July 2007. Of these, 78 patients who received radiotherapy of $\geq$45 Gy with concurrent chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled in this study. We included patients stages IIA, IIB, III, IVA, and IVB with supraclavicular metastasis in the middle/lower esophageal cancer or celiac node metastasis in cervical or upper/middle thoracic esophageal cancer. The median radiation dose was 54 Gy and the combination chemotherapy with 5-FU and cisplatin (FP chemotherapy) was given concurrently with radiotherapy in most patients (88%). Results: The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 117 months (median 14 months). The treatment response of the 54 patients could be evaluated by computerized tomography or endoscopy. A complete response (CR) was observed in 17 patients, whereas a partial response was observed in 18 patients. In patients with a CR, the median recurrence time was 20 months and the first relapse sites constituted a locoregional failure in 3 patients and a distant failure in 7 patients. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 58.9%, 21.7%, and 12.2%, respectively. The median survival period was 14 months. A univariate analysis indicated that the treatment response and cycles of FP chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors for OS. Daily or weekly administration of cisplatin as a radiosensitizer showed a better treatment response than FP chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study has shown that results of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer is comparable to those of other studies. Daily or weekly cisplatin administration may be considered as an alternative treatment in patients that are medically unfit for FP chemotherapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.237-243
• /
• 2006

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of frozen-thawed ET in poor prognosis patients such as the old age (38~44 years; OA group) and the patients who did not achieve clinical pregnancy with the first fresh ET cycle (non-pregnant patients; NP group). Methods: Laboratory and clinical data were collected from fresh and frozen-thawed ET cycles of OA and NP group. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and conventional insemination or ICSI, in vitro culture and ET were performed by routine procedures. Supernumerary embryos were frozen by the slow freezing method, and frozen embryos were thawed by the rapid thawing method. Embryo development, pregnancy and implantation rates were statistically analyzed by Student t-test and chi square test Results: Mean ages were similar between fresh ET ($40.0{\pm}1.8$ years, n=206) and frozen-thawed ET ($39.9{\pm}1.9$ years, n=69) cycles in OA group. However, the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate of subsequent frozen-thawed ET significantly higher than those of fresh ET cycles (29.0% and 11.2% vs. 16.5% and 7.0%, p<0.05). In NP group, there was no difference in the mean age between fresh ET ($31.2{\pm}2.3$ years, n=40) and frozen-thawed ET ($31.9{\pm}3.1$ years, n=119) in subsequent cycles. The clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were similar between the subsequent fresh ET (42.5% and 22.6%) and the frozen-thawed ET (40.3% and 18.8%). Conclusion: In old age patients, higher pregnancy rate of frozen-thawed ET compared to fresh ET cycles in this study. It may be related that better uterine environments for implantation in frozen-thawed ET cycles than that of non-physiological hormonal condition in uterus of fresh COH cycles.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.28 no.10 s.96
• /
• pp.899-908
• /
• 2004

The rise of income and introduction of 5 day a week working system give korean people opportunities to enjoy their leisure time. And many korean people have much interest in oceanic sports such as yachting and also oceanic leisure equipments. With the popularization and development of the equipments, the scope of oceanic activities has been expanding in Korea just as in the advanced oceanic countries. However, The current conditions for the sports in Korea are not advanced and even worse than underdeveloped countries. In order to develop the underdeveloped resources of Korean marina, we need to customize the marina models of advanced nations to serve the specific needs and circumstances of Korea As such we have carried out a comparative analysis of how Austrailia, Newzealand, Singapore, japan and Malaysia operate their marina, reaching the following conclusions. Firstly, in marina operations, in order to protect personal property rights and to preserve the environment, we must operate membership and non-membership, profit and non-profit schemes separately, yet without regulating the dress code entering or leaving the club house. Secondly, in order to accumulate greater value added, new sporting events should be hosted each year. There is also the need for an active use of volunteers, the generation of greater interest in yacht tourism, and the simplification of CIQ procedures for foreign yachts as well as the provision of language services. Thirdly, a permanent yacht school should be established, and classes should be taught by qualified instructors. Beginners, intermediary, and advanced learner classes should be managed separately with special emphasis on the dinghy yacht program for children. Fourthly, arrival and departure at the moorings must be regulated autonomically, and there must be systematic measures for the marina to be able, in part, to compensate for loss and damages to equipment, security and surveillance after usage fees have been paid for. Fifthly, marine safety personnel must be formed in accordance with Korea's current circumstances from civilian organizations in order to be used actively in benchmarking, rescue operations, and oceanic searches at times of disaster at sea.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.613-623
• /
• 2011

This study assessed the feasibility to apply Two-band and Three-band reflectance models for chlorophyll-a estimation in turbid productive waters whose scale is smaller and narrower than ocean using a high spatial resolution image. Those band ratio models were successfully applied to analyzing chlorophyll-a concentrations of ocean or coastal water using Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS), Sea-viewing Wide Field-fo-view Sensor(SeaWiFS), Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer(MERIS), etc. Two-band and Three-band models based on band ratio such as Red and NIR band were generally used for the Chl-a in turbid waters. Two-band modes using Red and NIR bands of RapidEye image showed no significant results with $R^2$ 0.38. To enhance a band ratio between absorption and reflection peak, We used red-edge band(710 nm) of RapidEye image for Twoband and Three-band models. Red-RE Two-band and Red-RE-NIR Three-band reflectance model (with cubic equation) for the RapidEye image provided significance performances with $R^2$ 0.66 and 0.73, respectively. Their performance showed the 'Approximate Prediction' with RPD, 1.39 and 1.29 and RMSE, 24.8, 22.4, respectively. Another three-band model with quadratic equation showed similar performances to Red-RE two-band model. The findings in this study demonstrated that Two-band and Three-band reflectance models using a red-edge band can approximately estimate chlorophyll-a concentrations in a turbid river water using high-resolution satellite image. In the distribution map of estimated Chl-a concentrations, three-band model with cubic equation showed lower values than twoband model. In the further works, quantification and correction of spectral interferences caused by suspended sediments and colored dissolved organic matters will improve the accuracy of chlorophyll-a estimation in turbid waters.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.225-235
• /
• 2009

A common procedure of restoration of endodonticlly treated tooth with fiber-reinforced post is followed by core build-up after post cementation. However, this technique is complex and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to compare fracture strength of premolar, restored with various methods of core fabrications on fiber-reinforced posts and casting metal restoration. Forty five freshly extracted human mandibular premolars were obtained and devided into 5 groups acconding to the type of post and methods of core build-up. In Group A, D.T. $Light-post^{(R)}$ were cemented with $DUO-LINK^{TM}$ and then $LIGHT-CORE^{TM}$ was used for core restoration. In Group B, D.T. $Light-post^{(R)}$ and $DUO-LINK^{TM}$ were used for cementing in the postspace, and $DUO-LINK^{TM}$ was used again for core restoration. In Group C, $Light-post^{(R)}$ bonding and the core build-up were performed simultaneously by using $DUO-LINK^{TM}$. In Group D, $LuxaPost^{(R)}$ was bonded by using $LuxaCore^{(R)}-Dual$. Again, $LuxaCore^{(R)}-Dual$ was used for core restoration. In Group E, $LuxaPost^{(R)}$ bonding and the core build-up were performed simultaneously by using $LuxaCore^{(R)}-Dual$. Axial reduction was formed parallelly as possible and 45 degree bevel was made at buccal occlusal surface. Crowns were fabricated and cemented. Each tooth was embedded in self-curing acrylic resin to the level of 2mm below the CEJ. Specimens were fixed on universal testing machin such that the axis of the tooth was at 45 degree inclination to the horizontal plane, and compressive force was applied at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min until failure occurred. The mean fracture strength was the highest in group A followed by descending order in group B, D, E and C. However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups with regard to the fracture strength. The type of the post or build-up methods of the core does not seem to influence the fracture strength.