• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.486-494
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• 2000

Background : The dominant innervation of airway smooth muscle is parasympathetic fibers which are carried in the vagus nerve. Activation of these cholinergic nerves releases acetylcholine which binds to $M_3$ muscarinic receptors on the smooth muscle causing bronchocontraction. Acetylcholine also feeds back onto neuronal $M_2$ muscarinic receptors located on the postganglionic cholinergic nerves. Stimulation of these receptors further inhibits acetylcholine release, so these $M_2$, muscarinic receptors act as autoreceptors. Loss of function of these $M_2$ receptors, as it occurs in animal models of hyperresponsiveness, leads to an increase in vagally mediated hyperresponsiveness. However, there are limited data pertaining to whether there are dysfunctions of these receptors in patients with asthma. The aim of this study is to determine whether there are dysfunction of $M_2$ muscarinic receptors in asthmatic patients and difference of function of these receptors according to severity of asthma. Method : We studied twenty-seven patients with asthma who were registered at Pulmonology Division of Korea University Hospital. They all met asthma criteria of ATS. Of these patients, eleven patients were categorized as having mild asthma, eight patients moderate asthma and eight patients severe asthma according to severity by NAEPP Expert Panel Report 2(1997). All subjects were free of recent upper respiratory tract infection within 2 weeks and showed positive methacholine challenge test ($PC_{20}$<16mg/ml). Methacholine provocation tests were performed twice on separate days allowing for an interval of one week. In the second test, pretreatment with the $M_2$ muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine($180{\mu}g$) through inhalation was performed be fore the routine procedures. Results : Eleven subjects with mild asthma and eight subjects with moderate asthma showed significant increase of $PC_{20}$ from 5.30$\pm$5.23mg/ml(mean$\pm$SD) to 20.82$\pm$22.56mg/ml(p=0.004) and from 2.79$\pm$1.51mg/ml to 4.67$\pm$3.53mg/ml(p=0.012) after pilocarpine inhalation, respectively. However, in the eight subjects with severe asthma significant increase of $PC_{20}$ from l.76$\pm$1.50mg/ml to 3.18$\pm$4.03mg/ml(p=0.161) after pilocarpine inhalation was not found. Conclusion : In subjects with mild and moderate asthma, function of $M_2$ muscarinic receptors was normal, but there was a dysfunction of these receptors in subjects with severe asthma. ηlese results suggest that function of $M_2$ muscarinic receptors is different according to severity of asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.426-436
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• 2001

Background : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is one of the major contributors to morbidity and mortality among the adult population. Cigarette smoking(CS) is undoubtedly the single most important factor in the pathogenesis of COPD. However, its mechanism is unclear. The current hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of COPD postulates that an imbalance between proteases and antiproteases leads to the destructive changes in the lung parenchyma. This study had two aims. First, to evaluate the effect of CS exposure on histologic changes of the lung parenchyme, and second, to evaluate the effect of CS exposure on the expression of the gelatinolytic enzymes in BAL fluid cells in guinea pigs. Methods : Two groups of five guinea pigs were exposed to the whole smoke of 20 commercial cigarettes per day, 5 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 6weeks, and 12 weeks, respectively, using a smoking apparatus. Five age-matched guinea pigs exposed to room air were used as controls. Five or more sections were microscopically extamined(${\times}400$) and the number of cellular infiltration of the alveolar wall was measured in order to evaluate the effect of CS exposure on the histologic changes of lung parenchyme. The statistical significance was analyzed by a linear regression method. To evaluate the expression of the gelatinolytic enzymes in intraalveolar cells, BAL fluid was obtained and the intraalveolar cells were separated by centrifugation (500 g for 10 min at $4^{\circ}C$). Two sets of culture plates were loaded with $1{\times}10^6$ intraalveolar cells. One plate, contained O.1mM EDTA, a inhibitor of matrix metalloproteases(MMPs), and the other plate had no EDTA. Both plates were incubated for 48 hours at $37^{\circ}C$. After incubation, gelatinolytic protease expression in the supernatants was analyzed by gelatin zymography. Results : At the end of CS exposure, the level of blood carboxy Hb had increased significantly(4.1g/dl in control group, 24g/dl immediately after CS exposure, 18g/dl 30 min after CS exposure, 15g/dl 1 hour after CS exposure). Alveolar inflammatory cells were identified in the CS exposed guinea pigs. The number of alveolar cellular cells observed in a microscopic field ($400{\times}$) was $121.4{\pm}7.2$, $158.0{\pm}20.2$, $196.8{\pm}32.8$, in the control, the 6 weeks, and the 12 weeks group, respectively. The increased extent of inflammatory cellular infiltration of the lung parenchema showed a statistically significant linear relationship with the duration of CS exposure(p=0.001, $r^2=0.675$). Several types of gelatinolytic enzymes in the intraalveolar cells of CS exposed guinea pigs were expressed, of which some were inhibited by EDT A. However, the gelatinolytic enzymes were not expressed in the control groups. Conclusion : CS exposure increases inflammatory cellular infiltration of the alveolar wall and the expression of gelatinolytic proteases in guinea pigs. EDTA inhibits some of the gelatinolytic proteases. These findings suggest a possibility that CS exposure may increase MMP expression in the lungs of guinea pigs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.224-236
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• 1999

Background: To evaluate the short-term effect of dynamic cardiomyoplasty on circulatory function and detect the related factors that can affect it, experimental cardiomyoplasties were performed under the state of normal cardiac function and heart failure. Material and Method: A total of 10 mongrel dogs weighing 20 to 30kg were divided arbitrarily into two groups. Five dogs of group A underwent cardiomyoplasty with latissimus dorsi(LD) muscle mobilization followed by a 2-week vascular delay and 6-week muscle training. Then, hemodynamic studies were conducted. In group B, doxorubicin was given to 5 dogs in an IV dose of 1 mg/kg once a week for 8 weeks to induce chronic heart failure, and simultaneous muscle training was given for preconditioning during this period. Then, cardiomyoplasties were performed and hemodynamic studies were conducted immediately after these cardiomyoplasties in group B. Result: In group A, under the state of normal cardiac function, only mean right atrial pressure significantly increased with the pacer-on(p<0.05) and the left ventricular hemodynamic parameters did not change significantly. However, with pacer-on in group B, cardiac output(CO), rate of left ventricular pressure development(dp/dt), stroke volume(SV), and left ventricular stroke work(SW) increased by 16.7${\pm}$7.2%, 9.3${\pm}$3.2%, 16.8${\pm}$8.6%, and 23.1${\pm}$9.7%, respectively, whereas left ventricular end-diastole pressure(LVEDP) and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(mPCWP) decreased by 32.1${\pm}$4.6% and 17.7${\pm}$9.1%, respectively(p<0.05). In group A, imipramine was infused at the rate of 7.5mg/kg/hour for 34${\pm}$2.6 minutes to induce acute heart failure, which resulted in the reduction of cardiac output by 17.5${\pm}$2.7%, systolic left ventricular pressure by 15.8${\pm}$2.5% and the elevation of left ventricular end-diastole pressure by 54.3${\pm}$15.2%(p<0.05). With pacer-on under this state of acute heart failu e, CO, dp/dt, SV, and SW increased by 4.5${\pm}$1.8% and 3.1${\pm}$1.1%, 5.7${\pm}$3.6%, and 6.9${\pm}$4.4%, respectively, whereas LVEDP decreased by 11.7${\pm}$4.7%(p<0.05). Comparing CO, dp/dt, SV, SW and LVEDP that changed significantly with pacer-on, both under the state of acute and chronic heart failure, augmentation widths of these left ventricular hemodynamic parameters were significantly larger under the state of chronic heart failure(group B) than acute heart failure(group A)(p<0.05). On gross inspection, variable degrees of adhesion and inflammation were present in all 5 dogs of group A, including 2 dogs that showed no muscle contraction. No adhesion and inflammation were, however, present in all 5 dogs of group B, which showed vivid muscle contractions. Considering these differences in gross findings along with the following premise that the acute heart failure state was not statistically different from the chronic one in terms of left ventricular parameters(p>0.05), the larger augmentation effect seen in group B is presumed to be mainly attributed to the viability and contractility of the LD muscle. Conclusion: These results indicate that the positive circulatory augmentation effect of cardiomyoplasty is apparent only under the state of heart failure and the preservation of muscle contractility is important to maximize this effect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.371-383
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• 1999

This report gave analysis of food demand both in Korea and Japan through introducing the concept of cohort analysis to the conventional demand model. This research was done to clarify the factors which determine food demand of the household. The traits of the new model for demand analysis are to consider and quantify those effects on food demand not only of economic factors such as expenditure and price but also of non-economic factors such as the age and birth cohort of the householder. The results of the analysis can be summarized as follows: 1) The comparison of the item-wise elasticities of food demand demonstrates that the expenditure elasticity is higher in Korea than in Japan and that the expenditure elasticity is -0.1 for cereal and more than 1 for eating-out in both countries. In respect to price elasticity, the absolute values of all the items except alcohol and cooked food are higher in the Korea than in Japan, and especially the price elasticities of beverages, dairy products and fruit are predominantly higher in Japan. In this way, both expenditure and price elasticities of a large number of items are higher in Korea than in Japan, which may be explained from the fact that the level of expenditure is higher in Japan than in Korea. 2) In both of Korea and Japan, as the householder grows older, the expenditure for each item increases and the composition of expenditure changes in such a way that these moves may be regarded as due to the age effect. However, there are both similarities and differences in the details of such moves between Korea and Japan. Those two countries have this trait in common that the young age groups of the householder spend more on dairy products and middle age groups spend more on cake than other age groups. In the Korea, however, there can be seen a certain trend that higher age groups spend more on a large number of items, reflecting the fact that there are more two-generation families in higher age groups. Japan differs from Korea in that expenditure in Japan is diversified, depending upon the age group. For example, in Japan, middle age groups spend more on cake, cereal, high-caloric food like meat and eating-out while older age groups spend more for Japanese-style food like fish/shellfish and vegetable/seaweed, and cooked food. 3) The effect of the birth cohort effect was also demonstrated. The birth cohort effect was introduced under the supposition that the food circumstances under which the householder was born and brought up would determine the current expenditure. Thus, the following was made clear: older generations in both countries placed more emphasis upon stable food in their composition of food consumption; the share of livestock products, oil/fats and externalized food was higher in the food composition of younger generation; differences in food composition among generations were extremely large in Korea while they were relatively small in Japan; and Westernization and externalization of diet made rapid increases simultaneously with generation changes in Korea while they made any gradual increases in Japan during the same time period. 4) The four major factors which impact the long-term change of food demand of the household are expenditure, price, the age of the householder, and the birth cohort of the householder. Investigations were made as to which factor had the largest impact. As a result, it was found that the price effect was the smallest in both countries, and that the relative importance of the factor-by-factor effects differed among the two countries: in Korea the expenditure effect was greater than the effects of age and birth cohort while in Japan the effects of non-economic factors such as the age and birth cohort of householder were greater than those of economic factors such as expenditures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.10 s.267
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• pp.739-748
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• 2006

Background: The purpose of this study is to ascertain the neuroprotective effect of cyclosporin A on the 25-min surgical ischemia model in the spinal cords of rabbits with neuropathological correlation and histoimmunochemical analyses, Material and Method: Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: Rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: the control 12 group (n=8), the control 17 group (n=8), the cyclosporin Cs2 group (n=8), and the cyclosporin Cs7 group (n=8). The 12 group underwent a 25-min aortic cross- clamp without intervention and were sacrificed on the 2nd day postoperatively, while the 17 group underwent a 25- min of aortic cross-clamp without intervention and were sacrificed on the 7th day postoperatively. The Cs2 group received cyclosporin A (25 mg/kg) intravenously 15 min after the 25-min cross-clamp and were sacrificed on the End day postoperatively, while the Cs7 group received cyclosporin A (25 mg/kg) intravenously 15 min after the 25-min cross-clamp and were sacrificed on the 7th day postoperatively. The rabbits underwent 25-min surgical aortic cross-clamp. Neurologic functions were evaluated on the 2nd day and 7th postoperative day using Tarlov scoring system. After scoring neurologic function, all rabbits were sacrificed for histopathologic observation. Result: All rabbits survived the experimental procedure. The values of Tarlov score did not show any differences between the control and cyclosporin groups on the 2nd day. The scores of group Cs7 ($2.75{\pm}0.89$) were significantly higher than those of group 17 ($1.25{\pm}1.39$) on the 7th day (p<0,05). On the histologic exanminations, specimens of the spinal cord showed necrosis and apoptosis. The pathologic scores of group Cs7 ($1,0{\pm}0.53$) was less than those of group 17 ($2.13{\pm}1.36$, p<0.05). TUNEL staing showed apoptosis of the specimen in group 12 and Cs2 but there was no stastically significant difference between groups on the score. There were more overexpression of HSP70 and nNOS in cyclosporine group than in control group. Conclusion: We think that cyclosporin A may decrease neuronal cell death with induced upregulation of HSP70 against 25-min ischemia of the spiral cord in the rabbit.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.127-134
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• 2008

Potential economic impact of a hypothetical severe accident at a nuclear power plant(Uljin units 3/4) was estimated by applying the Delphi method, which is based on the expert judgements and opinions, in the process of quantifying uncertain factors. For the purpose of this study, it is assumed that the radioactive plume directs the inland direction. Since the economic risk can be divided into direct costs and indirect effects and more uncertainties are involved in the latter, the direct costs were estimated first and the indirect effects were then estimated by applying a weighting factor to the direct cost. The Delphi method however subjects to risk of distortion or discrimination of variables because of the human behavior pattern. A mathematical approach based on the Bayesian inferences was employed for data processing to improve the Delphi results. For this task, a model for data processing was developed. One-dimensional Monte Carlo Analysis was applied to get a distribution of values of the weighting factor. The mean and median values of the weighting factor for the indirect effects appeared to be 2.59 and 2.08, respectively. These values are higher than the value suggested by OECD/NEA, 1.25. Some factors such as small territory and public attitude sensitive to radiation could affect the judgement of panel. Then the parameters of the model for estimating the direct costs were classified as U- and V-types, and two-dimensional Monte Carlo analysis was applied to quantify the overall economic risk. The resulting median of the overall economic risk was about 3.9% of the gross domestic products(GDP) of Korea in 2006. When the cost of electricity loss, the highest direct cost, was not taken into account, the overall economic risk was reduced to 2.2% of GDP. This assessment can be used as a reference for justifying the radiological emergency planning and preparedness.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2014

In this study, it was found that determined the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics (lincomycin, LM) with various catalyst composite of titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$), hydroxyapatite (HAP) and germanium (Ge) under UV-A irradiation. At first, various type of complex catalysts were investigated to compare the enhanced photocatalytic potential. It was observed that in order to obtain the removal efficiencies were $TiO_2/HAP/Ge$ > $TiO_2/Ge$ > $TiO_2/HAP$. The composition of $TiO_2/HAP/Ge$ using a statistical approach based on mixture analysis design, one of response surface method was investigated. The independent variables of $TiO_2$ ($X_1$), HAP ($X_2$) and Ge ($X_3$) which consisted of 6 condition in each variables was set up to determine the effects on LM ($Y_1$) and TOC ($Y_2$) degradation. Regression analysis on analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant p-value (p < 0.05) and high coefficients for determination value ($R^2$ of $Y_1=99.28%$ and $R^2$ of $Y_2=98.91%$). Contour plot and response curve showed that the effects of $TiO_2/HAP/Ge$ composition for LM degradation under UV-A irradiation. And the estimated optimal composition for TOC removal ($Y_2$) were $X_1=0.6913$, $X_2=0.2313$ and $X_3=0.0756$ by coded value. By comparison with actual applications, the experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the model's predictions, with mean results for LM and TOC removal of 99.2% and 49.3%, respectively.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.163-173
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• 2013

Objectives: There has been an increase in the use of mind-body therapies to control cardiovascular risk factors recently. This trial was designed to determine whether the 'jeol'(Korean Buddhists' prostration) meditation program, as a new mind-body intervention, was effective in managing stress, depression and controlling cardiovascular risk factors in women working at a geriatric hospital. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the 'jeol' meditation program could improve stress, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular risk factors in women. We randomly assigned 57 participants to the intervention(29 participants) or control(28 participants) group. The subjects in the intervention group participated in a group Jeol meditation program once weekly, and practiced at home. The following variables were assessed: stress(Psychosocial Wellbeing Index), depression(Beck's Depression Inventory), body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment(HOMA), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride were assessed. Results: After the 8-week program, 2 participants from the intervention group and 1 from the control group dropped out. The subjects in the intervention group exhibited decreased scores for stress(t=5.102, p<0.01), depression(t=5.259, p<0.01), BMI(t=2.942, p=0.007), and waist circumference(t=2.582, p=0.016); however these scores did not demonstrate a significant decrease in participants of the control group. The other variables showed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The 'jeol' meditation program evidently reduced stress, anxiety, depression, body weight, and waist circumference in women, which suggests that this program could be employed as a mind-body therapies.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2018

A variety of micro meteorological variables such as air temperature, wind, solar radiation and latent heat at Gwangneung forests (conifer and broadleaved forests) and AWS (Automated Weather Station) of Pocheon urban area were used to quantify the air temperature reduction effect of forests, which is considered to be an eco-friendly solution for reducing the urban heat island intensity during summer. In June, July and August of 2016 and 2017, the average maximum air temperature differences between above and below canopy of forests, and between the forests and urban areas were $-1.9^{\circ}C$ and $-3.4^{\circ}C$ respectively, and they occurred at 17:00. However, there was no difference between conifer and broadleaved forests. The effect of air temperature reduction by the forests was positively correlated with accumulated evapotranspiration and solar radiation from 14:00 to 17:00 and showed a negative correlation with wind speed. We have developed a model to quantify the effect of air temperature reduction by forests using these variables. The nighttime air temperature reduction effect by forests was due to the generation of cold air from radiative cooling and the air temperature inversion phenomenon that occurs when the generated cold air moves down the side of mountain. The model was evaluated in Seoul by using 28 AWSs. The evaluation shows that the air temperature of each district in Seoul was negatively correlated with the area and size of the surrounding tall vegetation that drives vegetation evapotranspiration during the day. During the night, however, the size of the surrounding tall vegetation and the elevations of nearby mountains were the main influencing factors on the air temperature. Our research emphasizes the importance of the establishment and management of urban forests and the composition of wind roads from mountains for urban air temperature reduction.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.27-32
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• 2017

Objectives: Oncological hyperthermia is a treatment to selectively kill cancer cells by directly applying heat to cancer cells or indirectly demage cancer cells. One of the most side effects of treatment is burn that can appear on the skin. In areas with irregularities such as the umbilicus, the patient feels a sense of hot and treatment may be discontinued. Therefore, in order to eliminate the irregularities of these areas, compensators are manufactured and measured to decrease in temperature. Materials and Methods: The temperature of the four sites (umbilicus, near the umbilicus, 5 cm below the umbilicus, back) was measured five times around the umbilicus in patients who were treated at oncological hyperthermia treatment device(EHY-2000, Oncotherm Kft, Hungary). The temperature sensor (TM-100, Oncotherm Kft, Hungary) was attached to four sites and the changes were observed at 5, 15, 25, 35, and 50 minutes after treatment. Compensators of three materials were used(Vaseline, Bolus, Dental resin). The data measured five times were compared for each compensator. Results: The temperature change when the compensator was not used increase from 34.65 degrees to 42.9 degrees on average. The near umbilicus was changed from 32.20 degrees to 37.00 degrees, and the 5 cm below the umbilicus was changed from 31.90 to 34.41 degrees. When the compensator material was inserted into the umbilicus, the temperature change was measured as 5.42 degrees for bolus, 6.55 degrees for vaseline, and 6.83 degrees for resin. Conclusion: Using the compensator in the region where the irregularities such as the umbilicus, the heat sensation could be reduced. the use of a resin that can be customized not only lowers the temperature but also significantly reduces the feeling of the patient. It will be possible to reduce the heat sensation in the treatment and to treat it in a more comfortable condition.