• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.155-156
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• 2006

UV-NIL is a promising technology for the fabrication of sub-100 nm features. Due to non-uniformity of the residual layer thickness (RLT) and a strong possibility of defects, many UV-NIL processes have been developed and some are commercially available at present, most are based on the 'step-and-repeat' nanoimprint technique, which employs a small-area stamp, much smaller than the substrate. This is mainly because, when a large-area stamp is used, it is difficult to obtain acceptable uniform residual layer thickness and/or to avoid defects such as air entrapment. As an attempt to enable UV_NIL with a large-area stamp for high throughput, we propose a new UV-NIL tool that is able to imprint 4 inch wafer in a low vacuum environment at a single step.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2301-2305
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• 2016

Background: The early detection of anthracycline- induced cardiotoxicity is very important since it might be useful in prevention of cardiac decompensation. This study was designed with the intent of assessing the usefulness of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and NT- Pro BNP estimation in early prediction of anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study histologically proven breast cancer patients who were scheduled to receive anthracycline containing combination chemotherapy as a part of multimodality treatment were enrolled. Baseline cardiac evaluation was performed by echocardiography (ECHO) and biomarkers like cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N terminal- pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT- Pro BNP). All patients underwent cTnT and NT- Pro BNP estimation within 24 hours of each cycle of chemotherapy and were followed up after 6 months of initiation of chemotherapy. Any changes in follow up ECHO were compared to ECHO at baseline and cTnT and NT- Pro BNP levels after each cycle of anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Results: Initial data were obtained for 33 patients. Mean change in left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD) within 6 months was $0.154{\pm}0.433cms$ (p value=0.049). Seven out of 33 patients had an increase in biomarker cTnT levels (p value=0.5). A significant change in baseline and follow up LVDD was observed in patients with raised cTnT levels (p value=0.026) whereas no change was seen in ejection fraction (EF) and left atrial diameters (LAD) within 6 months of chemotherapy. NT- Pro BNP levels increased in significant number of patients (p value ${\leq}0.0001$) but no statistically significant change was observed in the ECHO parameters within 6 months. Conclusions: Functional monitoring is a poorly effective method in early estimation of anthracycline induced cardiac dysfunction. Estimation of biomarkers after chemotherapy may allow stratification of patients in various risk groups, thereby opening window for interventional strategies in order to prevent permanent damage to the myocardium.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.688-693
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• 2010

An increase in the number of preterm infants and a decrease in the gestational age at birth have resulted in an increase in the number of patients with significant bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH contributes significantly to the high morbidity and mortality in the BPD patients. Therefore, regular monitoring for PH by using echocardiography and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal-proBNP must be conducted in the BPD patients with greater than moderate degree to prevent PH and to ensure early treatment if PH is present. In the BPD patients with significant PH, multi-modality treatment, including treatment for correcting an underlying disease, oxygen supply, use of diverse selective pulmonary vasodilators (inhaled nitric oxide, inhaled prostacyclins, sildenafil, and endothelin-receptor antagonist) and other methods, is mandatory.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.11
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• pp.484-488
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• 2014

Purpose: Chronic upper airway obstruction causes hypoxemic pulmonary vasoconstriction, which may lead to right ventricle (RV) dysfunction. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in children. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate RV function in children with ATH. Methods: Twenty-one children (male/female, 15/6; mean age, $92.3{\pm}39.0$ months; age range, 4-15 years) with ATH and 21 healthy age- and gender-matched controls were included in this study. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and RV myocardial performance index were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Further, the plasma level of N-terminal of probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), an indicator of RV function, was determined. Results: The snoring-tiredness during daytime-observed apnea-high blood pressure (STOP) questionnaire was completed by the patients' parents, and loud snoring was noted in the ATH group. The plasma NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in the ATH group than that in the controls ($66.44{\pm}37.63pg/mL$ vs. $27.85{\pm}8.89pg/mL$, P=0.001). The echocardiographic parameters were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion: We were unable to confirm the significance of echocardiographic evidence of RV dysfunction in the management of children with ATH. However, the plasma NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in the ATH group than that in the control, suggesting that chronic airway obstruction in children may carry a risk for cardiac dysfunction. Therefore, more patients should be examined using transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, pediatricians and otolaryngologists should consider cardiologic aspects during the management of children with severe ATH.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.287-292
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• 2017

A five-year-old, male, Great Dane weighing 107 kg was presented with anorexia, abdominal distension, and dyspnea for 5 days. Physical examination, blood works, radiography, electrocardiography (ECG), and echocardiography were performed. Based on severely low fractional shortening (FS) and marked four chamber enlargement in echocardiography, continuous atrial fibrillation and occasional ventricular premature complex (VPC) on ECG, the dog was diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) concurrent with congestive heart failure. Pleural effusion and ascites were modified transudate. In accordance with DCM scoring system recommended by European Society of Veterinary Cardiology (ESVC), DCM score was 13/15 in this case. Concentrations of cTnI and NT-pro-BNP were 1.0 ng/mL and 693 pmol/L, respectively. Since the former and the latter were remarkably high values, it was certain that the patient had grave prognosis. Intensive care was performed for the dog and the clinical signs as well as the radiographic abnormalities were resolved. However, when he presented serious dyspnea again at 25 days post therapy, the dog was dead. In case of canine DCM, the scoring system for the diagnosis and cardiac biomarkers including NT-pro-BNP and cTnI could be useful to advise owners on the status and prognosis of their dog with DCM.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.80-90
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• 2016

Purpose: Studies have been conducted to identify predictive factors of resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for Kawasaki disease (KD). However, the results are conflicting. This study aimed to identify laboratory factors predictive of resistance to high-dose IVIG for KD by performing meta-analysis of available studies using statistical techniques. Methods: All relevant scientific publications from 2006 to 2014 were identified through PubMed searches. For studies in English on KD and IVIG resistance, predictive factors were included. A meta-analysis was performed that calculated the effect size of various laboratory parameters as predictive factors for IVIG-resistant KD. Results: Twelve studies comprising 2,745 patients were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated significant effect sizes for several laboratory parameters: polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) 0.698 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.469-0.926), C-reactive protein (CRP) 0.375 (95% CI, 0.086-0.663), pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) 0.561 (95% CI, 0.261-0.861), total bilirubin 0.859 (95% CI, 0.582-1.136), alanine aminotransferase (AST) 0.503 (95% CI, 0.313-0.693), aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) 0.436 (95% CI, 0.275-0.597), albumin 0.427 (95% CI, -0.657 to -0.198), and sodium 0.604 (95% CI, -0.839 to -0.370). Particularly, total bilirubin, PMN, sodium, pro-BNP, and AST, in descending numerical order, demonstrated more than a medium effect size. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, laboratory predictive factors for IVIG-resistant KD included higher total bilirubin, PMN, pro-BNP, AST, ALT, and CRP, and lower sodium and albumin. The presence of several of these predictive factors should alert clinicians to the increased likelihood that the patient may not respond adequately to initial IVIG therapy.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.256-264
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• 2022

Ischemic stroke is caused by an occlusion by a thrombus or embolus in a cerebral artery, preventing oxygenated blood from reaching the brain and causing the necrosis of nerve cells. This paper summarizes the serum candidate markers associated with cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation (AF) disease that enable an early diagnosis of ischemic stroke studied thus far and compares the odds ratio (OR) of each marker. This study examined the effect size of these serum candidate markers using meta-analysis techniques. The academic database search screening for articles containing the keywords "cardiovascular disease," "atrial fibrillation," "ischemic stroke," and "serum marker" was limited to results for patients with ischemic stroke. The most derived markers in this study were N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the rest being investigated individually. In conclusion, NT-pro-BNP appears to be very useful for the early diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Primarily, it is a marker of AF, and more AF markers will be uncovered and studied in the future.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2024

Aortic dissection in pregnant patients results in an inpatient mortality rate of 8.6%. Owing to the pronounced mortality rate and speed at which aortic dissections progress, efficient early detection methods are crucial. Here, we highlight the importance of early chest computed tomography (CT) for differentiating aortic dissection from pulmonary embolism in pregnant patients with dyspnea. We present the unique case of a 38-year-old pregnant woman with elevated D-dimer and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, initially suspected of having a pulmonary embolism. Initial transthoracic echocardiography did not indicate aortic dissection. Surprisingly, after an emergency cesarean section, a chest CT scan revealed a DeBakey type I aortic dissection, indicating a diagnostic error. Our findings emphasize the need for early chest CT in pregnant patients with dyspnea and elevated D-dimer and NT-proBNP levels. This case report highlights the critical importance of considering both aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism in the differential diagnosis of such cases, which will inform future clinical practice.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.651-656
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• 2017

Ursolic acid (UA) supplementation was previously shown to improve skeletal muscle function in resistance-trained men. This study aimed to determine, using the same experimental paradigm, whether UA also has beneficial effects on exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage markers including the levels of cortisol, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in resistance-trained men. Sixteen healthy participants were randomly assigned to resistance training (RT) or RT+UA groups (n=8 per group). Participants were trained according to the RT program (60~80% of 1 repetition, 6 times/week), and the UA group was additionally given UA supplementation (450 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained before and after intervention, and cortisol, BNP, myoglobin, CK, CK-MB, and LDH levels were analyzed. Subjects who underwent RT alone showed no significant change in body composition and markers of skeletal muscle damage, whereas RT+UA group showed slightly decreased body weight and body fat percentage and slightly increased lean body mass, but without statistical significance. In addition, UA supplementation significantly decreased the BNP, CK, CK-MB, and LDH levels (p<0.05). In conclusion, UA supplementation alleviates increased skeletal muscle damage markers after RT. This finding provides evidence for a potential new therapy for resistance-trained men.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2013

Background: Differentiating cardiogenic pulmonary edema from other bilateral lung diseases such as pneumonia is frequently difficult. We conducted a retrospective study to identify predictors for cardiogenic pulmonary edema and non-cardiogenic causes of bilateral lung infiltrates in chest radiographs. Methods: The study included patients who had newly developed bilateral lung infiltrates in chest radiographs and patients who underwent echocardiography. Cases were divided into two groups based on the echocardiographic findings: the cardiogenic pulmonary edema group and the non-cardiogenic group. Clinical characteristics and basic laboratory findings were analyzed to identify predictors for differential diagnosis between cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic causes of bilateral chest infiltrates. Results: We analyzed 110 subjects. Predictors of cardiogenic pulmonary edema were higher brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on the day of the event (<7 mg/dL), age over 60 years, history of heart disease, and absence of fever and sputum. CRP on the day of the event was an independent factor to differentiate cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic causes of newly developed bilateral chest infiltrates. Also, the validity was comparable to BNP. Conclusion: Clinical symptoms (sputum and fever), medical history (dyslipidemia and heart disease), and laboratory findings (BNP and CRP) could be helpful in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute bilateral lung infiltrates in chest radiographs.