• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2009

Background: Tsutsugamushi, leptospirosis and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) are the prevalent diseases among the acute febrile illnesses in Korea. Pulmonary involvement in the patients with these diseases remains poorly recognized in endemic regions, and this is despite reports of recent outbreaks and epidemic episodes. Pulmonary involvement and a higher CRP level as clinical manifestations show a more severe form of infection. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation of pulmonary involvement and the CRP level in patients with acute febrile illnesses. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 105 patients who were diagnosed with tsutsugamushi, HFRS and leptospirosis from January 2002 to May 2008 in Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital. The radiographic images were retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists. We analyzed the pulmonary complications of the patients with these febrile diseases and we checked the CRP level at admission. Results: The study included 105 patients who were diagnosed with febrile diseases. Of these patients, 32 patients had hantaan, 10 patients had leptospirosis and 63 patients had tsutsugamushi disease. 42 (40%) patients had pulmonary complications, 20 patients had pulmonary edema, 20 patients had pleural effusion and 2 patients had interstitial pneumonitis. The patients with pulmonary involvement showed a more severe form of infection and a higher CRP level than that of those patients without pulmonary involvement (p=0.0073). Conclusion: Pulmonary involvement in patients with acute febrile diseases might be correlated with a higher CRP level. Identification of this factor on admission might provide useful selection criteria for the patients who need early intensive care.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.62-69
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• 2005

The purpose of this study has been performed to investigate the possibility of external audit program using thermoluminescence dosimetry for electron beam in korea. The TLD system consists of LiF powder, type TLD-700 read with a PCL 3 reader. In order to determine a calibration coefficient of the TLD system, the reference dosimeters are irradiated to 2 Gy in a $^{60}CO$ beam at the KFDA The irradiation is performed under reference conditions is water phantom using the IAEA standard holder for TLD of electron beam. The energy correction factor is determined for LiF powder irradiated of dose to water 2 Gy in electron beams of 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV (Varian CL 2100C). The dose is determined according to the IAEA TRS-398 and by measurement with a PTW Roos type plane-parallel chamber. The TLD for each electron energy are positioned in water at reference depth. In this study, to verify of the accuracy of dose determination by the TLD system are performed through a 'blind' TLD irradiation. The results of blind test are $2.98\%,\;3.39\%\;and\;0.01\%(1\sigma)$ at 9, 16, 20 MeV, respectively. The value generally agrees within the acceptance level of $5\%$ for electron beam. The results of this study prove the possibility of the TLD quality assurance program for electron beams. It has contributed to the improvement of clinical electron dosimetry in radiotherapy centers.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 1999

INJ-I, INJ-E, PFN, BMI, and PRF were selected among the various factors which constitute a digital linear accelerator to find effects on the dose distribution by changing current and voltage within the permitted scale which Mevatron automatically maintained. We measured the absorbed dose using an ion chamber, analyzed the waveform of beam output using an oscilloscope, and measured symmetry and flatness using a dosimetry system. An RFA plus (Scanditronix, Sweden) device was used as a dosimetry system. Then an 0.6cc ion chamber (PR06C, USA), an electrometer (Capintec192, USA), and an oscilloscope (Tektronix, USA) were employed to measure the changes on the dose distribution characteristics by changing the beam-tuning parameters. When the currents and the voltages of INJ-I, INJ-E, PFN, BMI, and PRF were modified, we were able to see the notable change on the dose rate by examining the change of the output pulse using the oscilloscope and by measuring them using the ion chamber. However, the results of energy and flatness graph from RF A plus were almost identical. The factors had fine differences: INJ-I, INJ-E, PFN, BMI, and PRF had 0.01∼0.02% differences in D10/D20, 0.1∼0.2 % differences in symmetry, and 0.1∼0.4% differences in flatness. Since Mevatron controlled itself automatically to keep the reference value of the factor, it was not able to see large differences in the dose distribution. There were fine differences on the dose rate distribution when the voltage and the currents of the digitized factors were modified Nonetheless, a basic operational management information was achieved.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.133-147
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• 2004

Environmental quality(water and sediment) was analyzed in the tidal flat of Saemangum of Jeonbuk Province, the west coast of Korea, using the 101 sediment samples and 69 water samples collected in September 4~13, 2001. Major water quality parameters with the means of 69 surface water samples are as follows; $25.51{\pm}0.68^{\circ}C$ for water temperature, $29.88{\pm}5.01$ for salinity, $1.40{\pm}0.78mg/L$ for COD, $0.352{\pm}0.417mg/L$ for DIN, and $0.027{\pm}0.023mg/L$ for phosphate, respectively. Higher values were found at the subestuary of Dongjin and Mangyung River, and lower values at the Saemangum embayment and Gomso Bay. There was a significant negative correlation between salinity and the other water quality parameters(p<0.0001) such as COD, nutrients, SS and N/P. This correlation suggested that the major pollution sources be from terrestrial inputs through tributaries in this area. Principal component analysis clearly revealed a spatial variation of water quality; stations with higher values of nutrients and COD located subestuary of tributaries. 14 sediment quality parameters including 8 trace metals were measured using the 101 surface sediment samples. Average values for the parameters are as follows; Al $2.28{\pm}0.92%$, Cd $0.61{\pm}0.27ppm$, Cu $8.95{\pm}4.06ppm$, Fe $1.19{\pm}0.37%$, Mn $182.31{\pm}77.45ppm$, Ni $10.83{\pm}4.97ppm$, Pb $15.20{\pm}4.35ppm$, Zn $41.34{\pm}34.62ppm$, COD $2.68{\pm}1.85mg/g\;dry$, AVS $0.04{\pm}0.08mg/g\;dry$, IL $1.29{\pm}1.08%$, water content $24.11{\pm}4.49%$, TN $0.02{\pm}0.02%$, TC $0.22{\pm}0.30%$. Spatial variations of sediment quality were not clear as water quality. Some higher values were found at the subestuary of Gum River and lower values at the other area. There was a significant positive correlation between the heavy metal concentrations and organic materials within the sediment(p<0.05). Enrichment factors showed the ranges of 1~2 for most of the metals in the sediment except zinc(1~6), indicating no serious exogenous input of heavy metals in the study area. Also, the heavy metal concentrations in the sediment were within the ranges found at the natural marine environments.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.463-472
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• 2002

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of the principal osteoclast-activating cytokines, namely, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ from immune cells. Although rnonocytes/macrophages are the main producers of these cytokines, recent evidence has indicated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have the ability to release IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Calcium hydroxide has been shown to be an effective medicament in root canal infections, reducing the microbial titre within the canal. It has been proposed that the therapeutic effect of Ca(OH)$_2$ may also be the result of direct inactivation of LPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment of Porphyromonas endodontalis LPS with calcium hydroxide alters its biological action as measured by human PMN secretion of IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$, and it was compared with Escherichia coli LPS. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted using the hot-phenol water extraction method and purified. Purchased E. coli LPS was also purified. 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of each LPS in pyrogen free water were incubated with 25mg/ml Ca(OH)$_2$ at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The supernatants were subjected to ultrafiltration, and the isolates were lyophilized and weighed. PMNs were obtained from peripheral blood by centrifugation layered over Lymphoprep. The cells were resuspended (4$\times$10$^6$ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 followed by treatment with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The supernatants of cells were collected and the levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL=1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were as follows ; 1. The levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ from PMN treated with each LPS were significantly higher than those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p<0.05). 2. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with each untreated LPS (p<0.05), while they were not significantly different from those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p>0.05) 3. The levels of secretion for all three cytokines were affected in a dose-dependent manner in PMN stimulated with each LPS (p<0.05), but not in PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS (p>0.05). 4. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with p. endodontalis LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with E coli LPS (p<0.05).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.197-203
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• 2005

Purpose : Changes in metalloproteinases(MMP) activity have been demonstrated in several disease states, including rheumatoid arthritis and tumor metastasis. More importantly, increased myocardial MMP activity has been reported to occur in both clinical and experimental forms of dilated cardiomyopathy. There was no report about MMP in adriamycin(ADR)-induced cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate gene expression of MMP and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMP) in ADR-induced cardiomyopathy and clarify the relationship between MMP and cytokines. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups. The first group was control. The second group was given intraperitoneal injections of ADR(5 mg/kg) twice a week over two weeks. Serum concentrations of MMP, TIMP, interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ were measured. RNA extraction was performed from frozen rat hearts. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was employed. cDNA Microarray analysis was performed by using a set of 5,184 sequence-verified rat cDNA clones. Results : Serum MMP and TIMP levels were not significantly different between the two groups. IL-6 was $36.8{\pm}2.8pg/mL$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ $2.2{\pm}2.7pg/mL$ in the ADR group. They were significantly higher than in the control group. Serum MMP correlated significantly with TNF-${\alpha}$(r=0.41, P<0.05). There was no gene expression of MMP, IL-6 or TNF-${\alpha}$ in the hearts of both groups. Gene expression of TIMP was significantly depressed in the hearts of the ADR group. Conclusion : These results suggested a potential role for TNF-${\alpha}$ in the regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling in ADR induced cardiomyopathy. Rapid screening of multiple decreased gene expression by DNA chip may be a useful diagnostic test to detect early cardiac injury before developing ADR induced cardiomyopathy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.870-876
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• 2005

The multiple regression models which have two factors(population and commercial area) have been used to forecast the water demand in the future. But, the coefficient of population had a negative value because proper regional classification wasn't performed, and it is not reasonable because the population must be a positive factor. So, the regional classification was performed by principal component and cluster analysis to solve the problem. 6 regional characters were transformed into 4 principal components, and the areas were divided into two groups according to cluster analysis which had 4 principal components. The new regression models were made by each group, and the problem was solved. And, the future water demands were estimated by three scenarios(Active, moderate, and passive one). The increase of water demand ore $89.034\;m^3/day$ in active plat $49,077\;m^3/day$ in moderate plan, and $19,996\;m^3/day$ in passive plan. The water supply ability as scenarios is enough in water treatment plant, however, 2 reservoirs among 4 reservoirs don't have enough retention time in all scenarios.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2013

Trace metal concentration in sediment cores from the outer sea of Lake Shihwa were determined to study the vertical profiles of metal concentrations and to evaluate the levels of metal contamination. Sediment pollution assessment was carried out using enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo). The mean concentration of metals were 58.8 mg/kg for Cr, 10.3 mg/kg for Co, 22.8 mg/kg for Ni, 18.1 mg/kg for Cu, 74.0 mg/kg for Zn, 6.75 mg/kg for As, 0.14 mg/kg for Cd, 27.4 mg/kg for Pb and 0.026 mg/kg for Hg, respectively. The mean EF values for Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Hg were greater than 1.5 in sediment cores, indicating that these metals in sediments are slightly enriched by anthropogenic activities. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) suggested unpolluted status for metals of sediments collected from outer see of Lake Shihwa. Igeo values for Cu and Hg nearby LNG station (site C, D, E) ranged from 1 to 2, indicating moderately to unpolluted pollution status for those metals. Even if the higher concentrations of trace metals nearby LNG station were observed, there is significantly positive relationship between Al and trace metals. Thus, the sediment grain size plays an important roles in influencing the distribution of trace metals in sediment cores from the outer sea of Lake Shihwa. Based on the comparison with sediment quality guidelines such as threshold effect level and probable effect level in Korea, the concentration of metals in sediments from outer sea of Lake Shihwa are likely to result in no harmful effects on sediment-dwelling organisms.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 1994

Purpose : The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical results of thermo-irradiation treatment for surgically unresectable advanced hepatoma with or without hepatic arterial chemo-embolization (HACE), chemotherapy (CT) and interferon (IFN) therapy. Materials and Methods : Between February 1990 and December 1992, 45 Patients with surgically unresectable advanced hepatomas were treated by thermo-irradiation with or without hepatic arterial chemo-embolization and other treatment modalities. Among them, We analyzed retrospectively 25 patients who received more than three times of hyperthermias. Mean age was 50 years (range : 18-71 years) and male to female ratio was 20 : 5. In the study, treatment was administered as follows : 3 patients received radiation therapy(RT) and hyperthermia (HT). 3 received RT+HT+CT. 3 received RT+HT+HACE. 1 received RT+HT+CT+HACE. 2 received RT+HT+CT+IFN. 10 received RT+HT+HACE+IFN. 3 received RT+HT+CT+HACE+IFN. Radiation therapy was done by a 6 MV linear accelerator Patients were treated with daily fractions of 180 cGy to doses of 11Gy-50Gy (median 30Gy). Local hyperthermia was done by HEH-500C(Omron Co. Japan), 30-45 min/session, 2 sessions/wk and the number of HT sessions ranged from 3 to 17 (median 7 times). 15 patients of 25 were followed by abdominal CT scan or abdominal ultra-sonogram. The following factors were analyzed :Age, histologic grade, sex. number of hyperthermia, total RT dose, hepatic arterial chemo-embolization. Results : Of 25 patients. there were observed tumor regression (partial response and minimal response) in 6 (24$ \% $), no response in 8 (32$ \% $), progression in 1 (4$ \% $) and not evaluable ones in 10 (40$ \% $) radiographically. The over all 1-year survival was 25$ \% $, with a mean survival of 33 weeks. The treatment modes of partial and minimal responsive patients (PR+MR)were as follows : Two were treated with RT+HT+HACE, 2 were done with RT+HT+HACE+IFN Remaining 2 were treated with RT+HT+CT+HACE+IFN. The significant factor affecting the survival rate were RT dose (more than 25 Gy), HACE, number of HT (above 6 times), responsiveness after treatment (PR + MR). Age, sex, histologic differentiation, chemotherapy, interferon therapy were not statistically significant factors affecting the survival rate. Conclusion : Although follow-up duration was short, the thermo-irr3diBtion with/without hepatic arterial chemo-embolization was well tolerated and there were no serious complicatons. In future, it is considered the longer follow up and prospective, well controlled trials should be followed to evaluate the efficacies of survival advantage.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.245-263
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• 2013

This study was conducted to find out the influence of elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ concentrations and air temperature on photosynthesis and fruit quality of 'Fuji'/M.9 apple trees and to investigate these to the effects of climate change during the last four years (2009-2012). The treatments employed were: 'Ambient' (ambient temperature + ambient $CO_2$ concentration); 'High $CO_2$' (ambient temperature + elevated $CO_2$ concentration); 'High Temp'. (elevated temperature + ambient $CO_2$ concentration); and 'High $CO_2$ + High Temp'. (elevated temperature + elevated $CO_2$ concentration). The elevated temperature plots were maintained at $4^{\circ}C$ higher than ambient air temperature, while the elevated $CO_2$ plots were maintained at 700 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}mol^{-1}$. Annual treatment period was applied from end of April to beginning of November for four years. Results showed that elevated $CO_2$ decreased stomatal conductance and leaf SPAD value, but increased photosynthetic rate, intercellular $CO_2$ concentration (Ci), and starch content of mesophyll tissue. In the vegetative growth, elevated temperature increased total number of shoot and total shoot growth per tree, but elevated $CO_2$ decreased average shoot length. In the fruit quality, elevated $CO_2$ increased soluble solid content, fruit red color, and ethylene production. In conclusion, elevated $CO_2$ increased photosynthetic rate of apples during the early growth, but effect of increased photosynthetic rate due to elevated $CO_2$ was decreased during latter growth stage. Elevated temperature, on the other hand, tended to decrease photosynthetic rate of apples during the early growth, but that tended to increase during latter growth stage. Both elevated $CO_2$ and temperature tended to decrease the degree of decreased photosynthetic rate due to each factor.