• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2008

Purpose : It has been known that breast milk cause prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. UGT1A1 is a important gene of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) which has a major role of bilirubin metabolism. These findings suggest that there is a relationship between UGT1A1 gene mutation and prolonged jaundice of breast feeding infant. The aim of study was to investigate whether a polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene exist in prolonged hyperbilirubinemia of breast milk feeding Korean infant. Methods : The genomic DNA was isolated from 50 full term Korean neonates, who had greater than a 10 mg/dL of serem bilirubin after 2 weeks of birth with no significant cause, and the other genomic DNA was isolated from 162 full term Korean neonates of the control population. Both group fed breast milk. We performed direct sequencing of TATA box and Gly71Arg polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene. Results : Two of the 50 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia had AA polymorphism, and 40 had GA polymorphism. Five of the 129 neonates of the control group had AA polymorphism, and 4 had GA polymorphism. The allele frequency of G>A polymorphism in the hyperbilirubinemia group was 44.0%; it was significantly higher than 5.4% of the control group. TATA box polymorpism was not different both group significantly. Conclusion : Our result indicated that Gly71Arg polymorphism is associated with the prolonged hyperbilirubinemia of breast milk-feeding infant in Korean, while TATA box polymorphism is not associated with the prolonged hyperbilirubinemia of breast milk-feeding infant in Korean.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2005

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitor (AI) for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with thin endometrium, hyper-responsiveness after clomiphene citrate (CC) treatment. Material and Methods: A prospective study was performed in 43 PCOS patients (50 cycles) with ovulatory dysfunction between March 2004 and September 2004. AI group (total 36 cycles) included the patients 1) with thin endometrium below 6 mm on hCG day after CC (n=17), 2) with more than 5 ovulatory follicles after 50mg of CC (n=4), 3) who do not want multiple pregnancy (n=14). Patients were treated with Letrozole 2.5mg for days 3 to 7 of the menstrual cycle. CC group (total 14 cycles) were treated with CC 50~100 mg. Results: In PCOS patients, ovulation was occurred 97.2% after AI use. Between AI group and CC group, there was no significant difference in the mean age, duration of infertility, interval of menstruation, basal FSH, prior treatment cycles, and the day of hCG administration. But, the number of mature follicles (${\geq}15mm$) was lower in the AI group ($1.08{\pm}0.45$ vs. $1.64{\pm}0.75$) (p=0.018), and the thickness of endometrium (mm) was significantly thicker in the AI group ($10.35{\pm}1.74$ vs. $9.23{\pm}1.61$) (p=0.044), and E2 (pg/ml) concentration on hCG day was lower in the AI group ($116.9{\pm}75.8$ vs. $479.5{\pm}300.8$) (p=0.001). Among the AI group, patients with prior thin endometrium (below 6 mm) during CC treatment showed $10.6{\pm}1.6mm$ in the endometrial thickness and $106.6{\pm}66.8pg/ml$ in $E_2$ concentration. Patients with more than 5 ovulatory follicles after CC showed decreased follicle number ($1.25{\pm}0.5$) compared to prior CC cycle. Conclusions: In PCOS patients, AI group showed significantly thicker endometrium, lesser number of mature follicles, and lower E2 concentration on hCG day than CC group. AI might be useful alternative treatment for ovulation induction in PCOS patients with thin endometrium and hyper-responsiveness after CC treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.260-265
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• 2005

Purpose : During epidemics, influenza induces a high mortality and morbidity, and when influenza is prevalent, it is revealed by increased pneumonia, hospitalization due to influenza-like illness, and mortality in community. We aimed at the isolation of influenza virus and prevalence period in Busan from 2000 to 2002. Methods : For 3 years from 2000 to 2002, we analyzed the patterns of influenza virus, the occurrence distribution of influenza by age and sex and the prevalence period after cultivating the examined materials from throat smears and snivel, collected from patients in St. Benedict Hospital Pediatrics Department, from 10 monitoring hospitals, and from 16 public health centers. Results : For three years, a total of 209 strains of influenza virus were isolated. In 2000, there were A/sydney/05/97(H3N2)-like, A/Beijing/262/95(H1N1)-like and B/Harbin/07/94-like. In 2001, there were A/Panama/2007/99(H3N2)-like and A/Newcaledonia/20/99(H1N1)-like. In 2002, there were A/Panama/2007/99(H3N2)-like, A/Newcaledonia/20/99(H1N1)-like, B/Beijing/243/97, B/Honkong/22/2001 and B/Sichuam/379/99. The occurrence distribution by sexes were 14 males and 25 females in 2000, 23 males and 33 females in 2001, 57 males and 57 females in 2002. As for the occurrence distribution by ages, 0-10 years made up 48.4 percent in 2000, 11-20 years 33.93 percent in 2001, and below 10 years was 64.91 percent in 2002. As for the occurrence distribution by month, the rate was once high in January and somewhat high in April and by June, when there happened to be various viruses, though there was a low rate in 2000. On the other hand, the virus was concentrated in February and March in 2001. And in 2002, it happened high twice, in March and November. Conclusion : Influenza virus revealed frequent antigenic changes and infect children, especially those below 10 years of age from late fall to early spring. So we should consider appropriate prevention in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1078-1084
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• 2007

Purpose : The prevalence of childhood obesity has doubled over the last 30 years. Obesity-associated sequelae in the vasculature begins in the early stages of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate how pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI) change with height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in obese adolescents. Methods : Seventy-nine obese adolescents (group 1: $85th{\leq}BMI<95th$ percentile, n=40; group 2 ($BMI{\geq}95th$ percentile, n=39) were included. The control group(group 3) included 99 healthy adolescents. Brachial- ankle (ba) PWV and ABI were estimated with blood pressure from four extremities. Heart rate (HR), and pre-ejection period/ejection time (PEP/ET) were also estimated. BMI was calculated from individual height and weight. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between BMI and PWV. Results : Blood pressure and baPWV were significantly higher in group 2, compared to either group 1 or group 3. However, there was no significant difference in ABI, HR and PEP/ET between the groups. PWV showed linear correlation with both BMI and body weight. Conclusion : Obesity was associated with higher arterial stiffness in adolescents, which was demonstrated by an increase in PWV. There was no significant correlation between obesity and ABI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1061-1066
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• 2007

Purpose : Early identification of developmental disabilities allows intervention at the earliest possible point to improve the developmental potential. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), a parent- completed questionnaire, can be used as a substitute for formal screening tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Korean version of the ASQ (K-ASQ) as a screening tool for detecting developmental delay of young Korean children in the setting of a busy pediatric outpatient clinic. Methods : Parents completed the K-ASQ in the waiting room of the pediatric outpatient clinic of St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. Out of 150 completed the ASQ, 67 who were born term and had no previous diagnosis of developmental delay, congenital anomalies, or neurological abnormalities were enrolled. The cut-off values of less than 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean for the ASQ were used to define a "fail", and children who failed in one or more domains tested were classified as "screen-positive". Diagnosis of developmental delay was made when the developmental indices fell below -1 SD of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. Results : (1) The mean age of children was $16.4{\pm}7.4$ months. Ten children (14.9%) were small-for- gestational age infants. The mean birth weight and gestational age were $3.1{\pm}0.6kg$ and $38.8{\pm}1.4$ weeks. Nine children (13.4%) were twins and 33 (49.0%) were male. The mean maternal education in years was $13.6{\pm}2.4$, and 31.3% had full-time jobs. The time for completing the ASQ was $10.2{\pm}3.0$ minutes. (2) Seventeen children (25.4%) were classified as screen-positive, four of them were delayed in development. Among eight children diagnosed with developmental delay, four were screen-positive and the other four were screen-negative by the ASQ. (3) The test characteristics of the ASQ were as follows: sensitivity (50.0%); specificity (78.0%); positive predictive value (23.5%); negative predictive value (92.0%). Conclusion : The high negative predictive value of the K-ASQ supports its use as a screening tool for developmental delay in the setting of a pediatric outpatient clinic.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.409-419
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• 2008

Statement of problem: At all times people have tried to fabricate tooth restorations using tooth colored materials. Recently, demands for esthetics, even in restorations requiring strength, has brought a revolution to dentistry and increased use of zirconia. The basic color of zirconia is white to ivory. The color can be partially adapted by veneering it with ceramic materials. However, it would be better if the substructure could already be adapted to the basic color shade of neighboring teeth. By adaptation to the basic shade, it can help to reduce the necessary layer thickness of the veneer ceramic to achieve the desired color. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to spectrophotometrically evaluate the influence of shading of zirconia core on the final shade of all-ceramic restorations using the CIE $L^{*}a^{*}b^{*}$ system. Material and methods: Core specimens (n = 20 per group) of Lava Frame Zirconia, KaVo Everest Zirconia, Digident CAD/CAM Zirconia were fabricated at 20 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm in thickness. Halves of each groups were shaded in A3 color. These core specimens were veneered with A3 porcelain of the recommended manufacturer at thickness of 0.5 mm. CIE $L^{*}a^{*}b^{*}$ coordinates were recorded for each specimen with a spectrophotometer (Model CM-2600d, Minolta, Japan) at 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.3 mm in thickness. Color differences were calculated using the equation ${\Delta}E^{*}=[({\Delta}L^{*})2+({\Delta}a^{*})2+({\Delta}b^{*})2]1/2$. Results: 1. In the case where porcelain layer has a thickness of 0.5 mm, Lava Frame Zirconia and KaVo Everest group did not show clinically perceived color difference, however Digident CAD/CAM Zirconia group showed clinically perceived color difference according to shade allowed on core. 2. When the thickness of porcelain layer decreased from 0.5 mm to 0.4 mm, Lava Frame Zirconia and KaVo Everest group did not show clinically perceived color difference, on the other hand Digident CAD/CAM Zirconia group showed clinically perceived color difference according to shade allowed on core. 3. When the thickness of porcelain layer decreased from 0.5 mm to 0.3 mm, clinically perceived color differences were observed from all three groups. Conclusions: Ziroconia system, which is possible to allow shade on core, are thought to be much more favorable to reproduce natural shade compared to systems that is impossible to give shade. Therefore, clinicians ought to choose adequate system for certain clinical situation by considering above specific character.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.373-380
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• 2000

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of goat milk and fermented goat milk on reproductive function and stamina of male rodent. Methods: Experiment I: Male ICR mouse was divided into four groups. Group 1 none-treated control; Group 2 received saline; Group 3 received cow milk 10 ml/kg per day for 15 days; Group 4 received goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 15 days. The cauda epididymal sperm motility and testicular sperm production were investigated. Experiment II: Male SD rat was divided into three groups. Group 1 received saline; Group 2 received goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 28 days; Group 3 received fermented goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 28 days. The cauda epididymal sperm motility and testicular sperm production were also investigated. The concentration of testosterone in serum at 1 and 3 weeks after treatment was determined using Immulite 2000 kit. Testes, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicle were weighed. Experiment III: Male ICR mouse was divided into four groups. Group 1 none-treated control; Group 2 received saline; Group 3 received goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 4 weeks; Group 4 received fermented goat milk 10 ml/kg per day for 4 weeks. After treatment, the mouse was forced to swim to test for stamina. Results: In Experiment I, the cauda epididymal sperm motility after in vitro culture for 1 or 3 h was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cow milk and goat milk than in the control and saline. There was no significant difference in the cauda epidymal sperm motility between cow and goat milk. The testicular spermatid number was significantly (p<0.01) higher in goat milk (222.8${\times}10^6$) than in the control (108.6), saline (98.2), and cow milk (118.2). In Experiment II, the cauda epididymal sperm motility after in vitro culture for 1 h was significantly (p<0.05) higher in fermented goat milk than in saline and goat milk. There was no significant difference in the cauda epidymal sperm motility between saline and goat milk but goat milk showed slightly higher sperm motility than saline. After in vitro culture for 3 h, the cauda epididymal sperm motility was significantly (p<0.01) higher in fermented goat milk and goat milk than in saline. The testicular spermatid number was significantly (p<0.05) higher in goat milk than in saline, and significantly (p<0.01) higher in fermented goat milk than in saline. And the serum testosterone levels of rats administered with goat milk or fermented goat milk were increased but were no significant difference among three groups. Also the prostate weight was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the goat and fermented goat milk. In Experiment III, the swimming time in the goat milk and fermented goat milk groups was significantly (p<0.01) longer than in the control and saline. There was no significant difference in the swimming time between goat and fermented goat milk but the fermented goat milk showed slightly longer swimming time than the goat milk. Conclusion: The cauda epididymal sperm motility, the testicular spermatid number and stamina were improved when the mice and rats were drunk with goat milk or fermented goat milk.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.113-132
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• 1999

Recently in Korea, application of the soil nailing is gradually extended to the sites of excavations and slopes having various ground conditions and field characteristics. Design of the soil nailing is generally carried out in two steps, The First step is to examine the minimum safety factor against a sliding of the reinforced nailed-soil mass based on the limit equilibrium approach, and the second step is to check the maximum displacement expected to occur at facing using the numerical analysis technique. However, design parameters related to the soil nailing system are so various that a reliable design method considering interrelationships between these design parameters is continuously necessary. Additionally, taking into account the anisotropic characteristics of in-situ grounds, disturbances in collecting the soil samples and errors in measurements, a systematic analysis of the field measurement data as well as a rational technique of the optimum design is required to improve with respect to economical efficiency. As a part of these purposes, in the present study, a procedure for the optimum design of a soil nailing excavation wall system is proposed. Focusing on a minimization of the expenses in construction, the optimum design procedure is formulated based on the genetic algorithm. Neural network theory is further adopted in predicting the maximum horizontal displacement at a shotcrete facing. Using the proposed procedure, various effects of relevant design parameters are also analyzed. Finally, an optimized design section is compared with the existing design section at the excavation site being constructed, in order to verify a validity of the proposed procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.12 s.257
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• pp.815-820
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• 2005

Background: Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum is a rare congenital cardiac disease. There have been various surgical options, but there are still controversies. Material and Method: Fourteen neonates who were operated on between 1999 and 2000 were enrolled in this study. We measured Z-value of tricuspid valve by echocardiography. We performed right ventricular outflow tract transannular patch in 9 patients. Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was placed according to the condition of patients. Mean follow up period was 46.0 months. Result: There were 2 operative mortality and 1 late mortality. Biventricular repair was possible in 7 patients. One and a half ventricular repair were done in 3 (tricuspid valve Z-value was -2, -2.5 and -3) and single ventricular repair in 2 patients (tricuspid z-value was -4.6, -4.5) The tricuspid valve Z-value for the patients who had biventricular repair and one and a half ventricular repair were -0.8$\pm$1.50 (-3.2$\∼$1.2) and -2.5$\∼$0.5 (-3$\∼$ -2) respectively. All patients who survived had fair to good right ventricular function, good left ventricular function and good clinical states. Conclusion: Neonatal surgical management of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum has a good surgical outcome, z-value of tricuspid may be helpful for the determination of surgical options.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2010

Developments of radioprotective agents are important issues for minimizing the troubles and the effective treatments in radiotherapy. But few agents are useful in clinical and practical fields. It was shown that trace elements in alcohol beverages might have radioprotective effect. In this study, the types of cell death of lymphocytes according to the commercial alcohol beverage was investigated. Normal healthy volunteers ingested distilled water, beer or soju containing $81.5mg{\cdot}dl^{-1}$ ethyl ahcohol, respectively. After 2 hours, their blood were sampled with their consents. Fraction of lymphocytes was isolated by density gradient method with Histopaque-1077 (Sigma) and irradiated with dose from 0.5 to 5 Gy. After 60 hour incubation, the cells were harvested and analysed by flow cytometry. Cell viability was decreased by dose dependent manner. Cell viability of beer group was reduced about 15% compared with control group. Apoptosis in soju group was reduced about 20% compared with control group. Apoptosis of beer and control groups are similar. Necrosis of soju group significantly increased about 35% compared with control group. Early apoptosis of beer group was increased compared with control group. Early apoptosis of soju group was decreased about 25% compared with control group. Late apoptosis of beer and control group was increased by dose dependent manner. Late apoptosis of soju group was increased about 20-30% compared with control group. Late apoptosis of soju was increased and the radioprotective effect of soju was minimal because late apoptosis induced the cell necrosis. In case of soju trace elements, total cell apoptosis was decreased about 20% and early cell apoptosis was remarkably low. In this case, mitotic cells death may be dominant mechanism. Therefore, trace elements in soju may not be effective radioprotective agents.