• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2000

The waveform and spectrum analysis of Tursiops truncatus(bottlenose dolphin) sonar signals were carried out on the basis of data collected during the dolphin show at the aquarium of Cheju Pacificland from October 1998 to February 1999. When greeting to audience, the pulse width, peak frequency and spectrum level from the five dolphins'sonar signals were 3.0ms, 4.54kHz and 125.6dB, respectively. At the time of warm-up just before the show, their figures were 5.0㎳, 5.24kHz and 127.0dB, respectively. During the performance of dolphins, with singing, peak frequency ranged 3.28∼5.78kHz and spectrum level ranged 137.0∼142.0dB. With playing ring, pulse width, peak frequency and spectrum level were 7.0㎳, 2.54kHz and 135.9dB, and when playing the ball, the values were 9.0㎳, 2.78kHz and 135.2dB, respectively. The values determined from the five dolphins during jump-up out of water were : pulse width 2.0㎳, peak frequency 4.50kHz and spectrum level 126.8dB. When they responded to trainer's instructions, the values were 2.25㎳, 248kHz and 148.7dB, respectively, and greeting to audience, the peak frequency and spectrum level were 5.84kHz and 122.5dB. During swimming under water, peak frequency and spectrum level were determined to be 10.10kHz and 126.8dB. It was found that there exited close consistencies in pulse width, frequency distribution and spectrum level between whistle sounds and dolphin's sonar signals. Accordingly, the dolphins can be easily trained by using whistle sound based on the results obtained from the waveform and spectrum of the dolphin's sonar signals.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.236-245
• /
• 2000

Background: Transbronchial lung biopsy(TBLB) has known to yield useful information for pulmonary infiltrates of uncertain etiology, However, its safety and usefulness have not been conclusive in the critically ill patients with respiratory failure. Moreover, TBLB has not been recommended for patients with mechanical ventilation. This study was conducted to investigate the diagnostic values and risks of Will performed on critically ill patients at bedside to obtain information on the pulmonary infiltrate of unknown etiology. Methods: Twenty patients(21 admissions with 23 cases) with diffuse pulmonary infiltrates who were treated in a medical intensive care unit of a tertiary referral hospital from January 1994 to May 1998, were enrolled for the study. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. TBLB was opted when a noninvasive diagnostic work-up failed to reveal the cause for the pulmonary infiltrate. The procedure was performed at patients' bedside without assistance of fluoroscopy. Bronchial washing or bronchoalveolar lavage was performed on the same pulmonary segment before performing TBLB. Results: Adequate specimens were obtained in 18 cases(78%). TBLB provided a specific diagnosis in two cases. The results of TBLB suggested the underlying etiology in 9 cases; bacterial pneumonitis(4), hypersensitivity pneumonitis(1), polymyositis(1), radiation fibrosis(1), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(1), and BOOP(1). Therapeutic decisions were altered in 11 cases(47.8%) based on the TBLB results. Pneumocystis carinii was found in the BAL fluid of another case. Ten patients with a therapeutic change and ten patients without a management change had mortality rates of 40% and 80%, respectively. The APACHE III scores were significantly higher in patients with complications($72.8{\pm}21.8$) compared with those without complications ($48.3{\pm}18.9$)(p<0.05). The complication rates were higher in those with mechanical ventilation(50%) than in those without Mechanical ventilation(33%), but the difference was not statistically significant(p=0.3). Conclusions: TBLB may be a useful diagnostic option for critically ill patients with unknown cause of pulmonary infiltrates. However, it should be cautious be used with care for patients with mechanical ventilation or for severely ill patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.65 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2008

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in South Korea since the year 2000 and it is more common in elderly patients, with a peak incidence at around 70~80 years of age. However, these elderly patients receive treatment less often than do the younger patients because of organ dysfunction related to their age and their comorbidities, and they show poor tolerance to chemotherapy. The aims of this study were to analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment-related survival of elderly patients with lung cancer. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical data of 706 lung cancer patients who were diagnosed at hospitals in Daegu and Gyeongsangbukdo from January 2005 to December 2005. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the patients who were aged 70 years and older (elderly patients) with those clinical characteristics and outcomes of the younger individuals. Results: The median age of the patients was 68 years (from 29 to 93) and the elderly patients were 38.7% (n=273) of all the study's patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type of lung cancer in both the elderly and younger patient groups. Elderly patients had more symptoms of dyspnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than the younger patients (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). A good performance status (ECOG 0-1) was less common for the elderly patients (p<0.001). The median survival of the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients was significantly higher in the younger patient group than in the elderly patient group (962 days vs 298 days, respectively, p=0.001). However, the median survival of the NSCLC patients who received any treatment showed no significant difference between the younger patient group and the elderly patient group (1,109 days vs 708 days, respectively, p=0.14). Conclusion: Our data showed that appropriate treatment for selected elderly patients improved the survival of patients with NSCLC. Therefore, elderly NSCLC patients with a good performance status should be encouraged to receive appropriate treatment.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2000

Purpose : Spine is one of the most common sites of the metastatic bone tumors. Conservative management such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been preferred in most cases. However, the neurologic deficit has not been usually improved, and the quality of life was poor. The purpose of this study was to show the efficacy of the surgical treatments for metastatic spinal tumors in terms of postoperative improvements of neurologic deficit and survival time. Materials and Methods : Authors have reviewed the literatures and analyzed 14 patients of metastatic spinal tumors who were received operative treatments between August 1991 and June 1999 at the our department of orthopaedic surgery. Results : The most frequent primary tumor was breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men. The thoracic region was the most common site. There was a preponderance of females over males, and the age ranged between 4th and 8th decade. The indications of surgical treatment comprised instability, progressive neurologic findings, resistance to radiotherapy, pathological fracture, long life expectancy( >6weeks), isolated metastasis and need for pathological diagnosis. The degree of preoperative neurological deficit might influence on the improvement of clinical symptoms after surgery. Conclusion : The surgical treatment reduced the neurological deficit and pain regardless of the operative methods. In the early stage of neurological deficit, the surgical treatment was important for better prognosis. Recently early active operative treatment was performed for metastatic spinal tumor to minimize the intractable pain and to prevent the progression of the neurologic deficit. Early intervention can improve the quality of life and long term survival.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.53-60
• /
• 2000

Purpose : The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the functional and oncologic results of the limb salvage surgery with intramedullary nailing and cementization in malignant bone tumors of the proximal humerus. Materials and Methods : We reviewed 18 cases of limb salvage surgery of resection and reconstruction with an intramedullary nail and cement-molded humeral head for the malignant bone tumors of the proximal humerus, which performed between August, 1992 through the April, 1998. The diagnoses included the osteosarcoma in 7 patients, chondrosarcoma in 3, the recurrent giant cell tumor in 3, metastatic tumor in 3, multiple myeloma in one patient and the one patient with malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The mean age at the time of surgery was 38 years(range, 15-73 years). The mean follow-up period was 26 months(range, 6-67 months). Results : Average functional score by ISOLS evaluation system was 21.1(70.3%). There were 3 local recurrences and 5 distant metastases. There were one case of shoulder instability and one case of deep infection. The seven patients are continuously disease free state and seven patients are alive with disease. Four patients died from the disease. Conclusion : The limb salvage surgery with intramedullary nailing and cementization in the bone tumors of the proximal humerus may be considered an option for the malignant bone tumors of the proximal humerus in selected patients.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.39-54
• /
• 2000

Purpose: Dipyridamole stress myocardial perfusion SPECT could predict prognosis, however, long-term follow-up showed change of hazard ratio in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. We investigated how long normal SPECT could predict the benign prognosis on the long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods: We followed up 1169 patients and divided these patients into groups in whom coronary angiography were performed and were not. Total cardiac event rate and hard event rate were predicted using clinical, angiographic and SPECT findings. Predictive values of normal and abnormal SPECT were examined using survival analysis with Mantel-Haenszel method, multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analysis and newly developed statistical method to test time-invariance of hazard rate and changing point of this rate. Results: Reversible perfusion decrease on myocardial perfusion SPECT predicted higher total cardiac event rate independently and further to angiographic findings. However, myocardial SPECT showed independent but not incremental prognostic values for hard event rate. Hazard ratio of normal perfusion SPECT was changed significantly (p<0.001) and the changing point of hazard rate was 4.4 years of follows up. However, the ratio of abnormal SPECT was not. Conclusion: Dipyridamole stress myocardial perfusion SPECT provided independent prognostic information in patients with known and suspected coronary artery disease. Normal perfusion SPECT predicted least event rate for 4.4 years.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.339-344
• /
• 2000

Utilization of animal excreta in aquaculture can have potentials of high fish production and low maintenance costs for fish farming and it can reduce water pollution caused by animal waste disposal. Integration of wastewater treatment pond system with aquaculture has been utilized in many countries. Ecologically balanced pond ecosystem is formed through the stabilization of wastes, the growth of aquatic plants, and the cultivation of fish. The most appropriate fish for rearing in these ponds are those which can feed directly on phytoplankton, especially algae. Carp were introduced into a tertiary pond - water depth of 2.2 m, water surface area of $130\;m^2$, volume of $148\;m^3$ - of a pond system treating milk cow excreta. The carp production was $125g{\cdot}m^{-2}year^{-1}$ which falls into upper range of $18\;-\;137g{\cdot}m^{-2}year^{-1}$ of treated sewage-fed carp farming of other countries. Average $BOD_5$ and T-N of the pond was 19.8 and $21.0\;mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ respectively, and the ecological environment of it was suitable for growth of carp. Several carp of 100g were introduced in August into a secondary pond of the treatment system, whose average $BOD_5$ and T-N was 27.9 and $30.8\;mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ respectively. They were died within one week, which may be attributed to the depletion of dissolved oxygen at dawn. Effluents from primary treatment can be used in fish pond with dilution and those from secondary treatment can be directly funnelled into it. Waste stabilization pond treating animal excreta can be utilized for fish rearing when its water quality maintains secondary treatment level.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.276-283
• /
• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate distribution of epilithic algal and chemical contents of irrigation water influencing in the Seomjin River from March to October in 1996 and 1997. In the water quality of the Seomjin River, the monthly average contents of $NH^+\;_4-N,\;SO_4\;^{2-}$ and $Cl^-$ showed the lowest peak in July and August while that of $NO_3-N$ showed the highest peak in June. The water quality of the Seomjin River was deteriorated by inflow of Yo-cheon and Sosi-cheon in the middle stream. The concentration of anions and cations of the Seomjin River was $Cl^->SO_4\;^{2-}>NO_3\;^->PO_4\;^{3-}\;and\;Ca^{2+}>Na^+>Mg^{2+}>K^+>NH_4\;^+$, respectively. The epilithic algal community identified 339 taxa consisting of 7 forma, 42 varieties and 290 species in 6 classes. In species composition, green algae and diatoms were heavily dominated which were evaluated 50.4% and 31.3% of total classification, respectively. In seasonal distribution, 219 species presented in summer but, 147 species were in winter. In this study, dominant species were Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta and Cosmarium furcatospermum in spering. Cyclotella meneghinasa and Synedra ulna, Scenedesmus ecornis in summer. Melosira varians, Achnathes minutissima in autumn and Gomphonema parvulum in winter were dominated. Finally, the dominant indices in this study have ranged 0.10-0.43.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.187-193
• /
• 2000

Gonad and blood samples were taken from the cultured female Korean sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus from October to February between 1997 and 1999. Gonadosomatic index began to increase in November and reached the highest value in December (12.8$\pm$1.5) and January (14.8$\pm$3.5), and then decreased sharply in February (2.6$\pm$1.5, p<0.05). The ovarian oocytes developed to tertiary yolk stage and reached fully-Brown stage in December and January, and then underwent atresia without maturation and ovulation in February. The plasma estradio3-17 $\beta$ level increased from November, and reached the highest value in December (1,152.3$\pm$107.2 pg/ml) and January (1,315.4$\pm$99.5 pg/ml), after then decreased in February (P<0.05). The concentration of plasma 17 $\alpha$ ,20 $\beta$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one was not significantly changed at low levels (86.6$\pm$6.5∼93.8$\pm$2.8 pg/ml) during the experimental period (P<0.05). All the fish with fully-grown oocytes in the ovary were matured and ovulated by HCG injection. The number of floating eggs were 325,000$\pm$26,000 at HCG 1,000 luhg and 195,000$\pm$35,000 at 2,000 lUikg. There was no difference in fertilization rate and hatching rate of the eggs (P<0.05). Considering these results, we could infer that the ovarian oocyte of the cultured Korean sea bass were not matured and ovulated because of the lack of gonadotropin surge. Moreover, HCG injection could induce oocyte maturation and ovulation in the cultured fish, and the effective dose was 1,000 IU/kg.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.308-314
• /
• 2001

This study was conducted to determine the content of heavy metals in canned foods and soft drinks available on the Korean markets. Trace metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, and Sn) were detected in 24 kinds, 120 samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The average concentration of heavy metals in canned foods was in the order of Sn (6.930 ppm)>Cr (0.050 ppm)>Pb (0.030 ppm)>Cd (0.008 ppm), which was the same order in soft drinks as Sn (3.519 ppm)>Cr (0.080 ppm)>Pb (0.024 ppm)>Cd (0.001 ppm). The total contents of heavy metals in canned fruits and fruit juices were relatively higher than those in cans and drinks made of vegetable and fish. It can be supposed that the high acidity owing to the organic acid of fruit itself promotes to extract metals from can materials, and although fish usually contains more heavy metals than vegetables, canned fish revealed low level because internal organs and most of skin which had more heavy metals than meat were removed throughout canning process. Because processed foods such as canned foods and soft drinks are very popular with the children and adolescence according to the change of life style and eating habit, and the possibility of exposure to heavy metals by the habitual intake of these is increasing simultaneously, it is suggested that more practical study about the process of exposure and the amount in each step is needed fur the assessment of safety.