• Title/Summary/Keyword: A case control study

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A study on the accuracy of source position in HDR brachytherapy according to the curvature of Universal applicator transfer tube and applicator type (원격 후 장전치료기를 사용한 고선량률 근접치료시 기구의 형태와 선원 전달 도관의 곡률 변화에 따른 선원위치 정확성에 관한 고찰)

  • Shin, Hyeon Kyung;Lee, Sang Kyoo;Kim, Joo Ho;Cho, Jeong Hee
    • The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.123-129
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    • 2015
  • Purpose : The goal of this study was to verify and analyze the source position according to the curvature of the universal applicator and 4 different angle applicators when using RALS(Remote After Loading System). Materials and Methods : An interval of 1 cm and 15 second dwell times in each source position were applied for plan. To verify the accuracy of source position, we narrowed the distance between MultiSource container and GAFCHROMIC$^{(R)}$ EBT3 film by 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm so that the universal applicator transfer tube had some curvature. Also 4 applicators(Intrauterine tube: $0^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, Ovoid tube: $65^{\circ}$) were used in the same condition. The differences between desired and actual source position were measured by using Image J. Results : In case of using 4 different angles of applicator with the straight universal applicator transfer tube, the average error was the lowest for $0^{\circ}$ applicator, greatest for $65^{\circ}$ applicator. However, All average errors were within ${\pm}2mm$ recommended in TG-56. When MultiSource container was moved 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm towards the EBT3 film, the average errors were beyond ${\pm}2mm$. The first dwell position was relatively located in accuracy, while the second and third dwells were displaced by an increasing magnitude with increasing curvature of the transfer tube. Furthermore, with increasing the angle of applicators, the error of all other dwell positioning was increased. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that both the curvature of universal applicator transfer tube and the angle of applicators affect the source dwell position. It is recommended that using straight universal applicator transfer tubes is followed in all cases, in order to avoid deviations in the delivered source dwell position. Also, It is advisable to verify the actual dwell position, using video camera quality control tool prior to all treatments.

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Comparative Study of the Biological Activity Effects of Manjakani (Quercus infectoria Olivier) Extract using Water and 80% Ethanol (열수 및 80% 에탄올로 추출한 만자카니(Quercus infectoria Olivier)의 생리활성 비교연구)

  • Lee, Hea-Jin;Kim, Dong-Han;Lee, Eun-Jin;Lim, Mi-Hye
    • Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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    • v.37 no.1
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    • pp.124-132
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    • 2020
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological activities such as cytotoxicity and anti-inflammation using Manjakani (Quercus infectoria Olivier) extract. Manjakani was extracted from hot DW and 80% ethanol. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay on RAW 264.7 cells. Also, anti-inflammatory activities were measured through changes in the levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotrien B4 (LTB4), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) and transcription factor on LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The results confirmed that significant cytotoxicity does not appear in the concentration range of 1, 5, and 10 ㎍/㎖ of both extracts of this study. The production of NO was slowed by approximately MDE 37.2% and MEE 43.7% at 10 ㎍/㎖ concentration. Also, level of PGE2 and LTB4 was decreased MDE 30.9%/MEE 43.7% and MDE 37.1%/MEE 43.7%. In the case of inflammatory cytokine was reduced to MDE 38.8%/MEE 50.8% for IL-1β, MDE 35.0%/MEE 44.2% for IL-6 and MDE 31.9%/MEE 36.6% for TNF-α at 10 ㎍/㎖ concentration. The mRNA expression of NF-κB, iNOS and COX-2 significantly decreased by MDE 44.0%/MEE 16.0%, MDE 44.0%/MEE 55.0% and MDE 45.0%/MEE 40.0%, respectively, following the 10 ㎍/mL sample treatment when compared to the control. Both extracts were effective in anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, both extracts showed efficient changes of production of NO, PGE2, LTB4, pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factor. But MEE was found to have a higher inhibitory effect than MDE. In other words, Manjakani was showed significant biological activities showing anti-inflammation without cytotoxicity. These results will be provided as fundamental data for further development of the new health food and therapeutics related to the results above.

Habitat Utilization Change of Crane Species against the Increasing Anthropogenic Structure after Released from Civilian Control Zone; CCZ in Cheorwon, Rep. of Korea (철원 민간인통제지역 해제 이후 인공시설물 증가에 따른 두루미류 분포변화)

  • Yoo, Seunghwa;Joo, Sungbae;Lee, Kisup;Kim, Suho;Kim, Dongwon;Kim, Hwajung;Kim, Jinhan
    • Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2020
  • This study aims to evaluate the effect of artificial facilities constructed afterthe release of the civilian controlled zone (CCZ) in Cheorwon on the inhabitation of cranes. The study site was released from the CCZ in 2012, and several barns have been built since 2017. The average number of Red-crowned Cranes was 9.3±4.3 individuals (±Standard Deviation) in the period before the release of the CCZ from 2009 to 2012, and it decreased by ca. one third of Red-crowned Crane's average individuals were showing 3.5±0.5 individuals after release. The average number of White-naped Cranes also appeared to be decreased by ca. 90% from 63.3±24.6 to 6.0±6.0 individuals. This results suggest that the construction of greenhouses and barns after the releasing of the CCZ affected the decrease of the population of these two crane species. In the case of Red-crowned Crane, the core area tended to move away from the area where barns were built. However, the distribution range of Red-crowned Cranes did not change significantly we expected because the study area was not their favorite place since 2012 when the area was released from the CCZ. The density of the White-naped Crane was relatively high even in the area where greenhouses were built, but after 2017 when the barn was built intensively, core habitat of crane became shrink and fragmented. These results suggest that both Red-crowned Cranes and White-naped Cranes response sensitively against habitat change due to the construction of barns. Since the release of the CCZ, the construction of the greenhouse has been influenced on the distribution of cranes, but subsequently, the construction of the barn seems to have caused a bigger change in their core habitat because the passage of people to barns is more frequent than the greenhouses.

A Study on Development and Prospects of Archival Finding Aids (기록 검색도구의 발전과 전망)

  • Seol, Moon-Won
    • The Korean Journal of Archival Studies
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    • no.23
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    • pp.3-43
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    • 2010
  • Finding aids are tools which facilitate to locate and understand archives and records. Traditionally there are two types of archival finding aids: vertical and horizontal. Vertical finding aids such as inventories have multi-level descriptions based on provenance, while horizontal ones such as catalogs and index are tools to guide to the vertical finding aids based on the subject. In the web environment, traditional finding aids are evolving into more dynamic forms. Respecting the principles of provenance and original order, vertical finding aids are changing to multi-entity structures with development of ISAD(G), ISAAR(CPF) and ISDF as standards for describing each entity. However, vertical finding aids can be too difficult, complicated, and boring for many users, who are accustomed to the easy and exciting searching tools in the internet world. Complementing them, new types of finding aids are appearing to provide easy, interesting, and extensive access channels. This study investigates the development and limitation of vertical finding aids, and the recent trend of evolving new finding aids complementing the vertical ones. The study finds three new trends of finding aid development. They are (i) mixture, (ii) integration, and (iii) openness. In recent days, certain finding aids are mixed with stories and others provide integrated searches for the collections of various heritage institutions. There are cases for experimenting user participation in the development of finding aids using Web 2.0 applications. These new types of finding aids can also cause some problems such as decontextualised description and prejudices, especially in the case of mixed finding aids and quality control of user contributed annotations and comments. To solve these problems, the present paper suggests to strengthen the infrastructure of vertical finding aids and to connect them with various new ones and to facilitate interactions with users of finding aids. It is hoped that the present paper will provide impetus for archives including the National Archives of Korea to set up and evaluate the development strategies for archival finding aids.

Association between Cancer and Selenium Concentration in Blood and Toenails (혈액과 발톱의 셀레니움 농도와 암과의 관련성)

  • Rhee, Jung-Kil;Chung, Jong-Hak;SaKong, Jun;Kang, Pock-Soo;Kim, Chang-Yoon;Lee, Kyeong-Soo;Kwun, Koing-Bo
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.29-43
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    • 1992
  • A case-control study was conducted to investigate the association between the risk of cancer and selenium concentration in blood and toenails. Seventy three patients and two hundreds eighty three controls were, selected at the Yeungnam University Hospital between May and September in 1991. The selected cases were patients who had been hospitalized for stomach or colon cancer at the Depertment of General Surgery. The controls were people who visited to check physical examination at the Automated Mediscreening Center. The selenium concentration in whole blood and toenails were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with graphite furnace atomizer. The following information was ascertained for all cancer patients and controls : sex, age, body mass index, blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, and history of smoking and drinking. The mean selenium concentration in blood and toenail for all cancer patients were $143.6{\pm}10.8{\mu}g/l$ and $1.04{\pm}0.62{\mu}g/g$ and for the controls, $167.0{\pm}14.5{\mu}g/l$ and $1.15{\pm}0.55{\mu}g/g$, respectively. The difference in blood and toenail selenium concentrations of the two cancer sites was not statistically significant. Metastasis did not influence the concentration of selenium in blood and toenails. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the blood selenium concentration($_aOR$: 0.888, 95% CI : 0.860-0.918), age, BMI and total serum cholesterol were significant variables for risk of cancer, but the selelenium concentration in toenail was not shown to be a significant variable in this regression analysis. The coefficient for blood selenium concentration adjusted for age, sex, diastolic blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, body mass index and smoking was -0.1184(p<0.01). These findings suggest that low selenium concentration is associated with gastrointestinal cancers. Further epidemiologic studies including important variables such as other antioxidant micronutrients will be necessary.

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The Optimal Time for Embryo Transfer in Fresh IVF: Comparison between Day 3 and Day 5 on Pregnancy Outcomes (체외수정술 후 난할단계 배아와 포배기단계 배아를 이식했을 때의 임신예후의 비교)

  • Lyu, Sang-Woo;Kim, A-Ri;Seok, Hyun-Ha;Kim, You-Shin;Lee, Woo-Sik;Yoon, Tae-Ki;Won, Hyung-Jae
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.143-151
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    • 2010
  • Objective: The aim of this study was to compare day 3 embryo transfer (D3ET) with day 5 ET (D5ET) in fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective matched case control study that included 90 women with D3ET and 90 women with D5ET from January 2007 to June 2009. Subjects were matched for reproductive profiles and IVF cycle characteristics. Two good quality embryos were transferred in both groups. Pregnancy rates (PR), implantation rate, and multiple PR were compared. Results: Demographics, stimulation parameters and embryological data were comparable in both groups. Main pregnancy outcomes with D3ET and D5ET groups were not statistically different: implantation rate (39.4% vs. 32.8%), positive PR (57.8% vs. 46.7%), clinical PR (53.3% vs. 45.6%), ongoing PR (50.0% vs. 42.2%), respectively. Both groups showed high multiple PR (37.5% vs. 34.1). Conclusion: D5ET may not be beneficial and necessary in comparison with D3ET on pregnancy outcomes, and elective single ET should be considered to decrease multiple pregnancies in women with favorable conditions and good quality embryos undergoing IVF.

Plasma D-dimer Determination in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism (폐색전증의 진단에 있어 혈청 D-dimer 측정의 진단적 가치)

  • Lim, Chae-Man;Kim, Hong-Kyu;Choi, Kang-Hyun;Lee, Sand-Do;Koh, Youn-Suck;Kim, Woo-Sung;Jang, Jae-Suck;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won-Dong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.43 no.1
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    • pp.69-74
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    • 1996
  • Background: The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) based on clinical findings is often elusive and therefore requires confirmative diagnostic method. Pulmonary angiography, though the gold standard for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, is an invasive method and requires trained personnel and special equipment. Lung V/Q scan, on the other hand, is a noninvasive method but the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity arc not satisfactory in case that the results are either intermediate or low probability scan. Plasma D-dimer is generated when a thrombus is fibrinolysed by plasmin and is known to be increased in various thrombotic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of the determination of plasma D-dimer level in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Methods: Pulmonary angiography was performed in 17 patients who were clinically suspected to have pulmonary embolism. 9 patients(PE, $56{\pm}13.4$ yrs, M:F=8:1) were diagnosed to have pulmonary embolism by pulmonary angiography. The control group were the 8 patients with negative pulmonary angiography and 13 orthopedic patients with no evidence of pulmonary embolism on scintigraphic and impedance plethysmographic studies(n=21) (non-PE, $54.5{\pm}11.1$ yrs, M:F=11:10). Plasma D-dimer was measured by latex agglutination method in study subjects and the results were analyzed according to the presence or absence of pulmonary embolism. Results: 1) The increased level of plasma D-dimer was more frequently observed in the patients with pulmonary embolism than in the controls(>0.5 mg/L, 8 in PE, 10 in non-PE; <0.5 mg/L, 1 in PE, 11 in non-PE, p=0.049). 2) The diagnostic value of plasma D-dimer level higher than 0.5 mg/L were as follows: sensitivity 88.9%(8/9), specificity 52.4%(11/21), positive predictive value 44.4%(8/18), and negative predictive value 91.7%(11/12). Conclusion: Plasma D-dimer determination showed high sensitivity and negative predictive value in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and is therefore thought to be useful in excluding the possibility of pulmonary embolism.

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The Usefulness of Serologic Diagnosis for Tuberculosis with Two Rapid Immunochromatographic Assay Devices (혈청학적 방법을 이용한 결핵 진단 방법의 효용성)

  • Kim, Deog-Kyeom;Kwon, Sung-Youn;Lee, Suk-Young;Park, Gye-Young;Jung, Kyung-Hae;Lee, Chun-Taek;Yoo, Churl-Gyoo;Kim, Young-Whan;Han, Sung-Koo;Shim, Yong-Soo
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.47 no.5
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    • pp.586-597
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    • 1999
  • Background: Many diagnostic tests have developed to diagnose tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases but the diagnosis of tuberculosis relies largely on radiological findings and acid-fast staining of sputum and/or culture. Recently, new serologic diagnostic methods, which are safe and easy to use have been introduced into Korea. In this study, the usefulness of serologic diagnosis for tuberculosis and the disease pattern induced variation of the test were evaluated. Methods: Serological assay was performed upon 108 patients with two test kits, the ICT tuberculosis and the BioSign$^{TM}$TB, which are based upon a rapid immunochromatographic assay technique, capable of being interpreted within 15 minutes. The case groups consisted of 61 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis(36 patients), extrapulmonary tuberculosis(3 patients), or both(22 patients). Control groups consisted of 47 patients with inactive old pulmonary tuberculosis(17 patients), nontuberculous pulmonary disease(16 patients) and nonpulmonary cardiac disease(14 patients). Results : The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value(PPV) and negative predictive value(NPV) of the ICT tuberculosis were 64.3%, 91.5%, 90.0% and 68.3% respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the BioSign$^{TM}$TB were 76.5%, 95.3%, 94.1 % and 78.8% respectively. Differences in sensitivity were not significant between patients with previous history of tuberculosis or patients without prior history of tuberculosis. The ICT tuberculosis test showed higher sensitivity in pulmonary tuberculosis patients(76.5%) than extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients(33.3%). There was no difference in sensitivity between patients with or without cavitary lesion by chest X-ray. Conclusion: Considering high specificity and PPV, serologic diagnosis using a rapid immunochromatographic assay device is another helpful diagnostic method in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, when combined with previous diagnostic methods such as chest X-ray, microbiologic study but it has limitation in terms of confirming the diagnosis for tuberculosis as the only diagnostic method because of relatively low sensitivity and NPV.

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Association of Plasma Eotaxin with Asthma Exacerbation and Severity (혈장 eotaxin과 천식의 급성악화 및 중증도와의 연관성)

  • Song, So-Hyang;Lee, So-Young;Kim, Chi-Hong;Moon, Hwa-Sik;Song, Jeong-Sup;Park, Sung-Hak
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.51 no.1
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    • pp.35-43
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    • 2001
  • Background : The eosinophil chemotactic and activating effects of eotaxin and the known association of eosinophils with asthma suggest that eotaxin expression is increased during an asthma attack. This study was aimed to determine whether the plasma eotaxin levels are higher in patients during an asthma attack and to correlate the eotaxin levels with the disease activity, severity and response to therapy. Method : A case-control study of the plasma eotaxin levels was performed in 100 patients with exacerbated asthma and 48 age- and sex-matched subjects with stable asthma. Results : The plasma eotaxin levels were significantly higher in the 100 patients with exacerbated asthma($233{\pm}175\;pg/mL$) than in the 48 subjects with stable asthma($169{\pm}74\;pg/mL$). A trend toward higher eotaxin levels was observed in asthmatic subjects who were taking oral steroids ($332{\pm}225\;pg/mL$) than in those who were not ($214{\pm}159\;pg/mL$) and higher levels were found in those admitted to the hospital ($275{\pm}212\;pg/mL$) than in those discharged after receiving only emergency treatment ($190{\pm}115\;pg/mL$). The eotaxin levels inversely correlated with the $FEV_$ (r=-0.25, p<0.01). The eotaxin levels were higher in moderate persistent ($323{\pm}256\;pg/mL$) and severe persistent asthmatics ($276{\pm}170\;pg/mL$) than in mild intermittent asthmatics ($l60{\pm}60\;pg/mL$). Conclusion : Eotaxin expression is directly associated with asthma exacerbation, impaired pulmonary function and the disease severity.

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Usefulness in Evaluation of NM Image which It Follows in Onco. Flash Processing Application (Onco. Flash Processing 적용에 따른 핵의학 영상의 유용성 평가)

  • Kim, Jung-Soo;Kim, Byung-Jin;Kim, Jin-Eui;Woo, Jae-Ryong;Kim, Hyun-Joo;Shin, Heui-Won
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.13-18
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: The image processing method due to the algorism which is various portion nuclear medical image decision is important it makes holds. The purpose of this study is it applies hereupon new image processing method SIEMENS (made by Pixon co.) Onco. flash processing reconstruction and the comparison which use the image control technique of existing the clinical usefulness it analyzes with it evaluates. Materials & Methods: 1. Whole body bone scan-scan speed 20 cm/min, 30 cm/min & 40 cm/min blinding test 2. Bone static spot scan-regional view 200 kcts, 400 kcts for chest, pelvis, foot blinding test 3. 4 quadrant-bar phantom-20000 kcts visual evaluation 4. LSF-FWHM resolution comparison ananysis. Results: 1. Raw data (20 cm/min) & processing data (30 cm/min)-similar level image quality 2. Low count static image-image quality clearly improved at visual evaluation result. 3. Visual evaluation by quadrant bar phantom-rising image quality level 4. Resolution comparison evaluation (FWHM)-same difference from resolution comparison evaluation Conclusion: The study which applies a new method Onco. flash processing reconstruction, it will be able to confirm the image quality improvement which until high level is clearer the case which applies the method of existing better than. The new reconstruction improves the resolution & reduces the noise. This enhances the diagnostic capabilities of such imagery for radiologists and physicians and allows a reduction in radiation dosage for the same image quality. Like this fact, rising of equipment availability & shortening the patient waiting move & from viewpoint of the active defense against radiation currently becomes feed with the fact that it will be the useful result propriety which is sufficient in clinical NM.

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