• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.527-533
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• 2005

Purpose : Long-term administration of anticonvulsants in children with epilepsy may cause short stature, hypocalcemia and low bone mineral density. This study was performed for the early detection of abnormal bone metabolism in children with epilepsy on taking anticonvulsants. Methods : Thirty children aged 5 to 16 years who were diagnosed with epilepsy were enrolled in this study. All had taken anticonvulsants for more than one year. Bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol[$25(OH)D_3$], parathyroid hormone, and urine deoxypyridinoline were measured as biochemical bone markers. Bone age and body mass index were also calculated. Results : Bone minreal density, body mass index, bone age, and height were significantly decreased in two female patients who had taken two antiepileptic drugs for more than four years and they also had chronic diseases such as cerebral palsy with microcephaly, encephalomalacia, and microcephaly with atrial septal defect. Bone mineral density had significant positive correlations with body mass index(P<0.01) and bone age(P<0.01). Conclusion : This study showed chronic medication of anticonvulsants in children may cause low bone mineral density and short stature. Bone age and body mass index could be the important surrogate markers to find the population at risk. More studies, including a large study population and long term cohort study, will be required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.500-505
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection during an epidemic period by means of examining the antibody conversion rate and to investigate the association of the antibody conversion with age, initial antibody titer, and atopy. Methods : We chose 191 children whose antibody titer to M. pneumoniae was negative, 1 : 40, or 1 : 80 during the first half of 2003. After the second half of 2003 when the M. pneumoniae epidemic occurred, follow-up collection of sera was performed during the first half of 2004. M. pneumoniae antibody titer was measured by Serodia-Myco II particle agglutination test. Results : Of 191 children, antibody conversion was detected in 83 children(43.5 percent). No significant difference was found between the conversion and non-conversion group with respect to age, sex and atopy. Dividing the subjects into four groups by age, results on the antibody conversion rate revealed no significant differences between the groups. Assessed by initial antibody titer, a diminished trend of conversion rate was observed in children with 1 : 80 titer but the difference was not significant. There was no significant difference in the antibody conversion rate between atopic and non-atopic children. Conclusion : Based on the antibody conversion rate in this study, the prevalence of M. pneumoniae infection during an epidemic period was estimated to be 43.5 percent. This high infection rate suggests that during an epidemic, we should bear in mind M. pneumoniae as an important etiologic agent for respiratory infection in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2010

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of soft stimulation protocol using GnRH antagonist/clomiphene citrate (CC)/recombinant FSH (rFSH) in patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with intrauterine insemination (IUI), compared with GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (MDP) using GnRH antagonist/rFSH. Methods: Eighty infertile women were randomized to soft stimulation protocol group (n=40) or GnRH antagonist MDP group (n=40). In both groups, IUI was performed 36~40 hours after hCG injection. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, $\chi^2$ test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: Total dose and days of rFSH required for COS were significantly fewer in soft stimulation protocol group (p<0.001, p<0.001). A premature LH surge did not occur in any patients of both groups. Clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Soft stimulation protocol provides comparable pregnancy rates to GnRH antagonist MDP despite fewer total dose and days of rFSH, and so can become one of the patient-friendly, cost-effective alternatives for infertile patients undergoing COS with IUI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.505-511
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• 2002

Purpose : Mean platelet volume(MPV) and platelet distribution width(PDW) are useful parameters in evaluating disorders of platelets. In cases with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP), they change as platelet count increases. In this study, we compared the values of MPV and PDW in ITP patients at diagnosis with those of normal children. We also studied whether the early changes in MPV may predict the clinical course. Methods : From December 1995 to May 2001, 71 patients with ITP were admitted to Ajou University Hospital. They were treated with IVIg 400 mg/kg for five days and MPV, PDW, platelet count were analysed. Normal control group(n=38) was compared. The study group was divided into acute and chronic forms, and also divided into group A, good early responders whose platelets increased more than $100,000/{\mu}L$ within 5 days and group B who did not. Results : Mean value of MPV at diagnosis in ITP patients was lower than the normal control group(P<0.05). In group A, MPV was abruptly increased on the first day after IVIg and then started to decrease. But in group B, MPV was steadily increased until the fourth day after IVIg. In the normal control group, there were inverse correlations between platelet count and MPV(r=-0.415, P<0.05), but in ITP patients, there were positive relationships between platelet count and MPV(r=0.646, P<0.05) at diagnosis. Conclusions : MPV at diagnosis of ITP was lower than the normal control. MPV and PDW could not predict the course of ITP patients, but MPV could distinguish good early responders. More research is needed to find out the reasons of decreased MPV at diagnosis of ITP.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.237-245
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• 2014

Amur silver grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) were selected for RDX removal experiments in hydroponic culture conditions based on vegetation survey at three shooting ranges in northern Kyunggi province. Seedling of two plants were grown in 1/4 strength Hoagland solution in quadruplicates containing 10, 20, 30, 40 mg/L RDX for 15 days along with control and blank treatments. During the 15 days of incubation, pH and RDX concentration in medium were routinely analyzed and RDX contents in the shoot and the root were determined after solvent extraction at the end of the experiments. Both plant species showed no symptoms of RDX phyto-toxicity. The pseudo first order RDX-removal constants for amur silver grass and reed canary grass were in the range of $0.0143{\sim}0.0484day^{-1}$ and $0.0971{\sim}0.1853^{-1}$, respectively. Plant biomass normalized RDX removal rates, which decreased with the increase of initial RDX concentration, were in the range of $0.27{\sim}1.01mL{\cdot}g^{-1}day^{-1}$ and $0.87{\sim}1.66mL{\cdot}g^{-1}day^{-1}$ for amur silver grass and reed canary grass, respectively. After 15 days of treatment, RDX removal from the medium decreased from 49.0% to 23.7% with increase in the initial RDX concentration in amur silver grass and 7.3% of the initial RDX remained in the plant. In reed canary grass planted medium, less than 16.8% and 5% of the initial RDX remained in the medium and in the plant, respectively. Large quantities of unidentified polar compound, which was not detected in amur silver grass, accumulated in the root and shoot of reed silver grass.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1172-1182
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• 1998

Background: Primary goal of anticoagulation treatment in patients with mechanical heart valve is the effective prevention of thromboembolism and safe avoidance of bleeding as well. Material and Method: Two-hundred and nine patients with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis operated on between 1984 and 1995, for mitral(MVR 122), aortic(AVR 39) and double mitral and aortic valve replacement(DVR 48) respectively, were studied on the practically achieved levels of anticoagulation and the clinical outcomes. Patients were on Coumadin and followed up by monthly visit to outpatient clinic for examination and prothrombin time measurement to adjust the International Normalized Ratios(INRs) within the low-intensity target range between 1.5 and 2.5. Result: A total anticoagulation follow-up period was 1082.0 patient- years(mean 62.1 months) and INRs of 10,205 measurements were available for evaluation. The accomplished INRs among the replacement groups were not significantly different and only 65% of INRs were within the target range. And, in individual patients, only 37% of patients had INRs included within the target range in more than 70% of tests during follow-up period. The levels of INRs in patients with atrial fibrillation, which was found in 57% of patients, were definitely higher than the ones measured in patients with regular rhythm(p<0.001). Thromboembolisms were experienced by 15 patients with the incidence of 1.265%/patient- year(MVR 1.412%, AVR 0.462% and DVR 1.531%/patient-year) and major bleeding by 4 patients with the incidence of 0.337%/patient-year(MVR 0.424%, AVR none and DVR 0.383%/patient-year). Frequent as well as prolonged missing of prothrombin time tests was the main risk factor strongly associated with the thromboembolic complications(odds ratio 1.99). The proportion of INRs within target range of less than 60% in individual patient was the highly significant risk factor of both thromboembolic and overall embolic and bleeding complications(p<0.004 and p<0.002 respectively). Conclusion: In conclusion, the low-intensity therapeutic target range of INRs was adequate in patients with AVR and in sinus rhythm. However, the patients with replacement of the mitral valve were more likely to require higher target range of INRs, especially in the presence of atrial fibrillation, to achieve the practical levels of anticoagulation enough to prevent thromboembolic complications effectively. For the higher therapeutic target range of INRs between 2.0∼3.0, further accumulation of clinical evidences are required. It is highly desirable to improve the patients' compliance under continuous instructions in visiting outpatient clinic and in taking daily Coumadin without omission and to keep INRs consistently within optimal range with tight control for minimization of chances and of periods of exposure to the risk of complications. And, particularly, patients with high risk of complications and with wide fluctuation of INRs should be better managed with frequent monitoring anticoagulation levels.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 1999

Purpose : To evaluate the significance of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as tumor markers in uterine cervix carcinoma. Materials and Methods : In 22 patients with histologically proven primary squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, tumor volume was checked either by using MRI (in 20 patients) or ultrasound (in 2 patients). Pre-treatment serum SCC levels were checked in 22 patients and CEA levels in 21 patients. After curative radiotherapy, post-treatment SCC and CEA were checked regularly. Results : SCC was raised In 68.2$\%$ and CEA was raised in 19.0$\%$ before treatment. The coefficient of correlation between tumor volume and pre-reatment SCC was 0.59382 when one extremely deviated case was excluded. And there was no correlation between tumor volume and CEA. After the treatment, SCC was raised En 9.1$\%$ and CEA was raised in 4.8$\%$. In further follow up measurement, raise of SCC was associated with clinical relapse or persistence of disease. The specificity of raised SCC level in association with recurrent or persistent disease was 93.8$\%$ . The sensitivity in association with recurrent or persistent disease was 100$\%$. The positive predictive values was 85.7$\%$. The median lead time for recurrence was 1.2 months. Conclusions: Both SCC and CEA were good tumor markers for monitoring treatment effect in patients with raised pre-treatment levels. But the sensitivity of pretreatment CEA was low, while that of pretreatment SCC was high. And there was no additional gain by adding CEA measurements to SCC measurements.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.230-240
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• 2008

The primary aim of this study is to estimate the home range of a pair of raccoon dogs(Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) and to compare with the previous study of raccoon dogs in a rural area of Gurye, the southern part of South Korea. Radiotracking was regularly carried out on 2 raccoon dogs for 2 days every 2 months(in June, August, October and December, 2006). During the 2 days, radiotracking was usually conducted every $1{\sim}3$ hours through day and night. The analysis of tracking data with a total of $46{\sim}64$ bearings showed that the total home range size of the pair was $0.41km^2$, and mean home range size was $0.32km^2$ by 95% minimum convex polygons(MCP) estimate. The home ranges of the male and female were largely overlapping(about $70{\sim}95%$), and the sizes were not very much different from each other. However, there was a big difference between day $(0.01km^2)$ and night-time $(0.35km^2)$ home ranges, and it was largest in summer$(0.56km^2)$ and smallest in winter $(<0.01km^2)$. In addition, the home range of the pair included 1 core area and 4 different feeding areas. In conclusion, our raccoon dog home range data using the same individuals but with more frequent bearings per day and more extended tracking intervals still showed very similar results to the previous study with less frequent bearings per day and more extensive tracking days.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.518-525
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• 2010

The purpose of the study was to examine health-related behaviors and nutrient intake in relation to job stress level of police officers. Total of 166 police officers working in Jeonbuk area participated in the study. The study was conducted from February to March, 2009. Subjects were given self-administered questionnaire on their general health status, dietary and health-related habits. Nutrient intake was assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Subjects were divided into four groups (very low, low, high, very high) by their job stress level scores. Main concerns of job stress were from 'job demand', 'organizational system' and 'lack of reward'. More than 95% of the subjects were confident of their health status. Health habits, such as drinking, smoking and exercising, were better than that of average Korean men. There were significant differences in dietary habits in relation to job stress level. Lower job stress group showed lower rate of skipping breakfast (p<0.01), more affordable meal time (p<0.05) and better snacking habits (p<0.001). Sweet food preference was higher in lower job stress group (p<0.05). The average calorie intake was $2063\pm532.7$ (88.5% of EER) and there was no significant difference in nutrient intake among job stress levels. However, mean intake of calcium and vitamin $B_2$ was less than 75% of %DRI in higher job stress group. Therefore, further support in nutritional counseling programs to improve dietary behaviors and health habits and to reduce job concerned stress of the police officers will be necessary.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.478-490
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• 2007

With groundwater data of seawater intrusion monitoring network in coastal areas of Korea's main land, we analyzed types of seawater intrusion through the coastal aquifer. The data including groundwater level, temperature and electrical conductivity obtained from 45 monitoring wells at 25 watershed regions were evaluated. Based on statistical analysis, correlation analysis and variation type analysis, groundwater levels were mainly affected by rainfall and artificial pumping. About 78% of the monitoring wells showed average temperature higher than $15^{\circ}C$ and about 58% of them showed minimum variations less than $0.2^{\circ}C$. Electrical conductivities showed a large magnitude of variation and irregular characteristics compared with groundwater levels and temperatures. Average electrical conductivities lower than $2,000\;{\mu}S/cm$ were observed at 28 monitoring wells while those of higher than $10,000\;{\mu}S/cm$ were done at 9 monitoring wells. From the cross-correlation analysis, groundwater levels were mostly affected by precipitation while temperature and electrical conductivity showed very low correlation. Meanwhile tidal variations strongly affected the groundwater levels comparing to precipitation. We classified the long-term monitoring data according to variation types such as constant process, linear trend, cyclic variation, impulse, step function and ramp. Impulse type was dominant for variations of groundwater level, which was largely affected by rainfall or artificial pumping, the constant process was dominant for temperature. Compared with groundwater level and temperature, electrical conductivities showed various types like linear trend, step function and ramp. According to the discrepancy of variation characteristics for monitoring data at each well in the same region, periodical analysis of monitoring data is essentially required.