• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2003

Purpose : Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS) is known to have a poor prognosis and a poor response to treatment. We performed a combination therapy of plasmapheresis, steroid pulse and immunoglobulin in 4 patients with relapsed steroid dependent(SD) or steroid resistant(SR) FSGS after steroid pulse therapy. Materials and Methods : 8 cycles of plasmapheresis were performed in 4 patients with biopsy proven FSGS who had relapsed after steroid pulse therapy from March 1988 to July 2002. Clinical findings and treatment courses were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Among the 4 patients, there were 3 males and 1 female. After 8 cycles of plasmapheresis, clinical remissions were obtained. Two of the four patients had two relapses and received 2 more cycles of plasmapheresis which resulted in remissions. One of these patients had two further relapses and was treated with oral steroid resulting in clinical remission. Three patients have maintained normal serum creatinine level and glomerular filtration rates during the follow-up period of 10 years, and the other 1 patient for 5 months. Conclusion : A combination therapy of plasmapheresis, steroid pulse and immunoglobulin led to a complete remission in patients with FSGS who were SD or SR and was effective in maintaining normal renal function.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.983-988
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• 2010

The present study aims to investigate a possible mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in the spinal dorsal horn that may underlie N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-associated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. The hot plate latency of the ipsilateral hindpaw of EA-treated rats was significantly decreased compared with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-injected ones. The expressions of NR1 and NR2B subuint mRNA of NMDA receptor in the whole L4-5 segments are decreased by CFA treatment, but NR2B subunit was significantly recovered by EA treatment. When we detected the expression of ERK, there were no significant difference between normal and CFA-treated rats with EA or NMDA receptor antagonist MK801. But phosphorylated ERK expressions were markedly induced by CFA, but these inductions were significantly modulated by EA treatment. Although hosphorylation of ERK was also arrested by MK801, these inductions of CFA-injected rats was markedly inhibited only by co-treatment with EA and MK801. Phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), ERK-related transcriptional factor, showed a significant increase in CFA-treated rats and this increase was slightly inhibited by EA and MK801 treatments. But immunoreaction for phosphorylated CREB were significantly increased by CFA treatment in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn and these inductions were significantly arrested by co-treatment of EA and MK801. Consequently, the hyperalgesia induced by CFA are associated NMDA receptor and EA and MK801 may showed anti-hyperalgesia via same mechanism for inhibition of ERK and CREB phosphorylation in the dorsal horn.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2007

Elucidation of the roles of circadian associated factors requires a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms, control of flowering time through photoperiodic pathways, and photosensory signal transduction. In Arabidopsis, the APRR1 quintet, APRRs 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, are known as central oscillator genes. Other plants may share the molecular mechanism underlying the circadian rhythm. To identify and characterize these circadian response genes in Brassica crops whose genome was triplicated after divergence from Arabidopsis, we identified B. rapa BAC clones containing these genes by BLAST analysis of B. rapa BAC end sequences against the five corresponding Arabidopsis regions. Subsequent fingerprinting, Southern hybridization, and PCR allowed identification of five BAC clones, one for each of the five circadian-related genes. By draft shotgun sequencing of the BAC clones, we identified the complete gene sequences and cloned the five expressed B. rapa circadian-associated gene members, BrPRRs 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each BrPRR was orthologous to the corresponding APRR at the sequence level. Northern hybridization revealed that the five genes were transcribed at distinct points in the 24 hour period, and Southern hybridization revealed that they are present in 2, 1, 2, 2, and 1 copies, respectively in the B. rapa genome, which was triplicated and then diploidized during the last 15 million years.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.228-234
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• 1997

Squamous cell carcinoma originating in the parotid gland has rare occurrence. The primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland comprise about 0.3% and 9.8% of all parotid malignant tumor. We investigated the clinical behavior and treatment outcome of patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. We reviewed all cases of possible primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland treated at Yonsei Cancer Center, Seoul, Korea, from 1981 through 1995. A total of 128 had primary parotid malignancy. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were excluded in this study. Ten cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland were identified. 6 cases of them are men & 4 cases are women. The age of patients ranged from 31 to 68 years with median age of 55 years. On physical examination, 5 cases had palpated cervical neck node and 6 cases had facial nerve palsy. Staging was done according to the current guidelines established by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (1992). Two cases were stage I, 1 in stage III, and 7 in stage IV. Six cases were performed operation and postoperative radiation therapy. Four cases were treated by curative radiation therapy, dose of more than 65 Gy on parotid gland region. The 5 year actual survival rate and the 5 year disease free survival rate were 30.8%, and 40.0%. Initial complete response rate was 70% for all patients. Local failure were occurred 3 of 7 patients with local controlled cases, failure sites were primary site, ipsilateral cervical neck node, contralateral supraclavicular node. Most recurrences developed within 1 year of initial treatment. Distant metastasis was appeared 2 of 3 patients who did not achieved local control. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland occured infrequently. A retrospective study at the Yonsei Cancer Center indicates incidence of 7.8%. At diagnosis, advanced stage, neck node presentation, facial nerve paralysis were associated with a poor prognosis. These results may suggested that radical surgical excision may be treatment of choice and that planned postoperative radiotherapy may be bendicial for reducing locoregional recurrence rates.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1231-1239
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate consumer's behaviors on the laundering of baby's clothing according to washing machine types. The subjects were 255 consumers with babies(0-2 years) in Korea. The data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed by Chi-square test and multiple response analysis, and SPSS 12.0 statistics package was used. Consumers were separated into two groups according to washing machine types with general pulsator type and drum-type. Consumer's behaviors between general pulsator type group and drum-type group of washing machines were also examined. The results of this study were as follows. In the consumer satisfaction for washing machine, mostly drum-type group of consumers were satisfied with their washing machines. As the reasons of washing machine's dissatisfaction, noise, washing time and low washing efficiency were high in the pulsator type group, and washing time, noise and high price in the drum-type washing machine group. The consumers concerned about separation of clothing and laundering label while they washed laundry by washing machine. However, they didn't separate clothing because the small volume of laundry and a long washing time. The most interest and required thing of consumers was complete rinsing without any detergents used in washing as well as the removal of soils for baby's clothing regardless of two washing machine types. And they complained food soils like milk and mother's milk etc. were not completely removed by washing machine. As a whole the washing frequency of baby's laundry was once per a day and the rinsing also more than three times per a laundry. Most of the consumers used a private detergents for baby's clothing(detergents for baby's clothing only), and preferred to the high or boiled temperature washing as a desirable baby's laundering. There were significant differences between general pulsator type group and drum-type group of washing machines on the laundering of baby's clothing in this study.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.59-62
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• 2001

Objectives: We report an interim result of conformal radiotherapy in a patient with early stage cancer at the base of the tongue, which developed in a previously irradiated area. Materials and Methods: A 64-year-old male patient was diagnosed with T4N0M0 supraglottic cancer. He received 72Gy of radiation therapy from 21 November 1988 to 24 February 1989. He had local failure and underwent a salvage total laryngectomy on 28 August 1989. Subsequently, he did well. In early 1999, he suffered from throat pain. He had a 2.5cm ulcerative mass at the base of his tongue, in the area that had been irradiated previously. Biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma. After workup, he was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer with T2N0M0. Surgery was not feasible because the morbidity was not acceptable. Since it was difficult to re-irradiate the area with a curable dose using conventional 2D radiation therapy with an acceptable morbidity, we decided to try conformal radiotherapy. We used 7 static beam ports with field sizes from $7x6.4\;to\;8x8cm^2$, using 6 and 10MV photons. The fractionation regimen was 1.8Gy, 5 times per week. He received 64.8Gy in 36 fractions from 9 April 1999 to 1 June 1999. Results: In the 21 months since radiotherapy, the patient has not experienced any acute or chronic complications, such as xerostomia. He experienced relief of pain shortly after the start of radiotherapy, showed a complete response, and is still doing well. Conclusion: Conformal radiotherapy can be used to treat cancer that develops within a previously irradiated field, with curative intent.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2009

This study tries to give improvement directions of the law of oil spill focusing on the view that satisfying remuneration for victims should be considered. And it looks through the existing remuneration system provided by P&I Club and IOPC Fund. It also covers with issues related to remuneration in order to find the best for victims. The major contents of this study are as follows. First, the present law of compensation security to Marine oil pollution accident should be revised. Maximum value of remuneration needs to be raised and subjects liable to pay reparation need to be expanded. Second, in case the damage is widely different comparing to similar cases in foreign countries, it's hard to get complete remuneration from international corporations responsible for reparation. That's the reason the national emergency system for oil pollution must be established. Third, this study says the law that certainly defines a liability subject and that the liability is not necessarily caused by fault should be enacted. Last, it suggest that victims should have their object income data to facilitate establishment of the law of compensation for damages from marine oil pollution. To calculate proper remuneration, government should consider to choose one of public organizations as an investigator to damages and should collect accurate statistics relating to fishery. Furthermore, compensation system which can provide rapid reparation to victims needs to established by founding professional maritime organization of arbitration.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.148-152
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• 2005

A novel neuropeptide with a relaxing activity on the dorsal retractor muscle (DRM) was isolated from the whole body extract of the starfish, Asterina pectinifera. The peptide was purified by gel-filtration ion-exchange and $C_{18}$ reversed-phase HPLC. The complete amino acid sequence of this peptide, which was determined by automated Edman degradation and MALDI-TOF mass, was Phe-Gly-Lys-Gly-Gly-Ala-Tyr-Asp-Pro-Leu-Ser-Ala-Gly-Phe-Thr-Asp. A comparison of the amino acid sequence with those of other known neuropeptides revealed that the asteripectin was a novel neuropeptide with smooth muscle-relaxing activity on the starfish DRM. This peptide showed threshold response to relaxing activity on the DRM at $10^{-10}M$ and the maximal relaxing effect was $120{\pn}7.0\%$ at $10^{-5}M$. The relaxing activity of this peptide on the starfish DRM increased in a dose-dependent manner.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.35
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• pp.31-50
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• 1998

The purpose of this study to provide implications for improvement of Korean voluntary sector, by analyzing of program managers' subjective evaluation of voluntary program management and of their view of the needs for outside supports. For this, researchers selected 600 agencies, which are found to have a staff in charge of voluntary programs, and sent a questionnaire by mail. Those agencies are consisted of the following three. areas: social services, civil movement, public sector. The response rate was 65%, and researchers analyzed 382 respondents out of 391, besides those who did not complete the form in full. One of the results was that program managers' subjective evaluation score of overall voluntary program management was 51 points in the perfect score of 100 points. The voluntary program management was consisted of the following six areas: recruiting, job placement, public relations, education(training), program development, and. information system Specifically, program development and information system appeared to be worse than the other areas, and this fact was true in all three types of agencies of social services, civil movements, and public sector. Moreover, program managers in public sector showed that outside supports for voluntary programs (or activities) was more desperately required. Based on the results, researchers concluded that, toward the improvement of voluntary programs, professionalization as well as legal supporting system, networking, and national supporting institution were required.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.334-338
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• 2008

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTPs) are relatively rare tumors that originate from the mesenchymal cells of the submesothelial tissue of the pleura. Patients with SFTPs are often asymptomatic, while some patients experience pleuritic chest pain, cough and/or dyspnea. We report here on a case of SFTP, and the patient presented with septic shock and respiratory failure that required mechanical ventilation. A 68-year-old woman was admitted for the evaluation of her dyspnea and generalized edema. Chest imaging studies showed an 18 cm-sized voluminous mass occupying the right thoracic cavity with anterior displacement of hilar structures and atelectasis of the right lung. Immediately after admission, she developed pneumonia and septic shock that required antibiotics and mechanical ventilation. She displayed a partial response to medical treatment, and then complete excision of the tumor was performed and the pathologic examination revealed benign SFTP. Afterward, she fully improved without evidence of recurrence until now.