• Title/Summary/Keyword: Contact Ratio

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Evaluation of Biocompatibility of Extracorporeal Circuit - Development of a Quantification Technique using in-vivo Injection of Tc99m Radioactive Platelets - (체외순환도관의 혈액적합성 평가 - 방사선 동위원소(Tc99m) 활성화 혈소판의 생체 내 주입을 이용한 정량분석법의 개발 -)

  • Lee, Sung-Ho;Sun, Kyung;Choi, Jai-Geol;Son, Ho-Sung;Jung, Jae-Seung;Ahn, Sang-Soo;Oh, Hye-Jung;Lee, Whan-Sung;Lee, Hye-Won;Kim, Kwang-Taik;Jeong, Yoon-Seop;Kim, Young-Ha;Kim, Hyoung-Mook
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.35 no.3
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    • pp.171-176
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    • 2002
  • Background: Blood-foreign interaction cause activation of coagulation and inflammatory process that may lead to multiorgan dysfunction and determine the surgical outcomes. Of the methods for assessing the biocompatibility, the platelet adhesion study is considered as the most valuable evaluation step in blood-foreign interaction. As the most studies have used in-vitro or ex-vivo conditions, we have developed a technique of quantification for platelet adhesion on the blood contact surface by using in-vivo injection of radioactive platelets. Material and Method: A coupled bypass circuit was designed to connect the proximal and descending thoracic aorta in 6 piglets(20∼25 Kg). One side of the circuit tube was consisted of a heparin coated PVC tube(10mm in ID, n=6, Experimental group), and the other, a non-heparin coated PVC tube(10mm in ID, n=6, Control group). After cannulation, the blood was circulated through the circuit for 2 hours. Platelet concentrate was prepared from homologous pig blood 24 hours before the experiment. The platelet concentrate was incubated with Tc-99m-HMPAO for 30 min and then centrifuged for 10 min. The supernatant was discarded and the radio-labeling efficacy was measured. The radio-labeled platelet concentrate was mixed with the autologous plasma to make the volume 5 ml, and the mixture was injected intravenously into the experimental animal. After 2 hour circulation, 5 pieces of the specimen(10mm in length each) were obtained from each PVC tube. The radioisotopes were counted with a gamma counter(Cobra ll, Packard, USA), and the ratio of radioisotope count was compared between the control and experimental group. Result: The radioisotope count number was 537.3221.1 Ci/min in the control group and 311.1 184.5 Ci/min in the experimental group(p=0.0104). The ratio between the groups was 1 to 0.58 (p=0.004). Conclusion: In vivo quantification using technetium-99m-HMPAO labeled platelets is simple and reproducible in evaluating platelet adhesion on a foreign surface. We suggest this technique to be a useful tool for blood compatibility test.

Efficiency Analysis of Spiral Structured Twist Screen (식품분말 진동선별기 개선을 위한 구조물 효율 분석)

  • Park, In-soon;Na, En-soo;Jang, Dong-soon;Paek, Young-soo
    • Food Engineering Progress
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.85-91
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    • 2010
  • In the food process, twist screen is widely used to divide particles on the basis of size. As screen equipped in the twist screen perfoms an important part in the particle size distribution mechanism, the contact area of screen and particles, retention time of particles on the screen, mesh and string thickness of screen and the flow pattern of particles on the screen are major points of the separation efficiency. To improve the separation efficiency, increase the retention time and control the flow pattern of particles, screen frame dam and spiral blockage are installed on the sieve of twist screen ${\emptyset}$ 1200 and ${\emptyset}$ 1500. Twist screen ${\emptyset}$ 1500 with frame dam treated similar separation capacity, 37% higher separation ratio and less non-separated particles of product output 1 than general twist screen. Twist screens with frame dam and spiral blockage showed less treatment capacity, three times higher division ratio and entire separation than general twist screen.

A Study on the Effect of Improving Permeability by Injecting a Soil Remediation Agent in the In-situ Remediation Method Using Plasma Blasting, Pneumatic Fracturing, and Vacuum Suction Method (플라즈마 블라스팅, 공압파쇄, 진공추출이 활용된 지중 토양정화공법의 정화제 주입에 따른 투수성 개선 연구)

  • Geun-Chun Lee;Jae-Yong Song;Cha-Won Kang;Hyun-Shic Jang;Bo-An Jang;Yu-Chul Park
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.371-388
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    • 2023
  • A stratum with a complex composition and a distributed low-permeability soil layer is difficult to remediate quickly because the soil remediation does not proceed easily. For efficient purification, the permeability should be improved and the soil remediation agent (H2O2) should be injected into the contaminated section to make sufficient contact with the TPH (Total petroleum hydrocarbons). This study analyzed a method for crack formation and effective delivery of the soil remediation agent based on pneumatic fracturing, plasma blasting, and vacuum suction (the PPV method) and compared its improvement effect relative to chemical oxidation. A demonstration test confirmed the effective delivery of the soil remediation agent to a site contaminated with TPH. The injection amount and injection time were monitored to calculate the delivery characteristics and the range of influence, and electrical resistivity surveying qualitatively confirmed changes in the underground environment. Permeability tests also evaluated and compared the permeability changes for each method. The amount of soil remediation agent injected was increased by about 4.74 to 7.48 times in the experimental group (PPV method) compared with the control group (chemical oxidation); the PPV method allowed injection rates per unit time (L/min) about 5.00 to 7.54 times quicker than the control method. Electrical resistivity measurements assessed that in the PPV method, the diffusion of H2O22 and other fluids to the surface soil layer reduced the low resistivity change ratio: the horizontal change ratio between the injection well and the extraction well decreased the resistivity by about 1.12 to 2.38 times. Quantitative evaluation of hydraulic conductivity at the end of the test found that the control group had 21.1% of the original hydraulic conductivity and the experimental group retained 81.3% of the initial value, close to the initial permeability coefficient. Calculated radii of influence based on the survey results showed that the results of the PPV method were improved by 220% on average compared with those of the control group.

Clinical Study of Tuberculous Meningitis in Children (소아 결핵성 뇌막염의 임상적 고찰)

  • Kim, Woo Sik;Kim, Jong Hyun;Kim, Dong Un;Lee, Won Bae;Kang, Jin Han
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.64-72
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    • 1997
  • Purpose : The incidence of tuberculous meningitis in Korean children has been markedly decreased after 1980s, but this disease has still occurred with low rate. Therefore, it may be suspected that delayed diagnosis and treatment will be happened because of lacking of clinical experiences and indistinguishable other meningitis, so it is important to make early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous meningitis concerning with the prognosis. In this aspect, we conducted study to concern and investigate sustainly about the diagnostic criteria, clinical characteristics, radiological findings, complications, and prognosis of typical or atypical tuberculous meningitis in children. Methods : Forty four children who were hospitalized and treated due to tuberculous meningitis in pediatric wards of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, St. Holy Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital and Uijungbu St. Mary Hospital from January 1985 to June 1996 were included in this study. We reviewed medical records of these patients retrospectively. Results : 1) The tuberculous meningitis has occured continuosly since mid-1980s. The highest 2) The diagnosis was made by contact history of active tuberculous patients, positive tuberculin test, responses of antituberculous antibiotics and discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from CSF or other specimens. Among patients, 7 children(16%) were not vaccinated with BCG, and only 18 children(40%) were positive in tuberculin test. 3) The symptoms and signs of our patients on initial examinations were fever, vomiting, headache, lethargy, poor feeding, weight loss, neck stiffness, convulsion, abdominal pain and motor deficits. 4) The findings of initial CSF samples revealed leukocyte $239.5/mm^3$(mean) with lymphocyte predominant, elevated protein levels(mean;259.5mg%) and low sugar level(mean;40.7mg%). And the ratio of CSF/blood sugar was 0.407. But, atypical CSF findings were seen in 31.8% patients. 5) On brain imaging study, 34 out of 39 children had findings of hydrocephalus, basilar meningeal enhancement, infarction and subarachnoidal inflammations etc. On chest X-ray, the findings of miliary tuberculosis(34.1%), normal finding(29.5%), parenchymal infiltrations (11.4%) and calcifications(9.1%) were showed. 6) In neurological clinical stage, there were twenty-six children(59%) in stage 1, fourteen children(32%) in stage 2 and four children(9%) in stage 3. The late sequeles were encountered by 29.5% with mild and 4.6% with severe neurological injury. The most common neurological injury was quadriplegia and the mortality rate was 6.8%. 7) The SIADH was developed in 20 children(45.5%) after the 4th hospital day. Half of all SIADH patients were symptomatic. Conclusion : Tuberculosis meningitis is still an important extrapulmonary disease with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis with clinical contact history of active tuberculosis and radiological imaging examinations and early treatments are essential in order to prevent and decrase the rate of late sequeles and death.

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A Study on Satisfaction of Practicing Dentists about Prosthesis in Pusan Part I : About Fixed Prosthetic appliances (부산지역(釜山地域) 개업치과(開業齒科)의 치과보철물(齒科補綴物)에 관(關)한 만족도(滿足度) 조사(調査)(I) - 일부정식 치과 보철물에 관하여 -)

  • Lee, Myung-Kon
    • Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.159-169
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    • 1988
  • Fixed prosthetic appliance is the restorations of damaged teeth with cast metal or porcelain, and of replacing missing teeth with fixed, or cemented prosthesis. Successfully treating a patient by means of fixed prosthodontics requires the thoughtful combination of dentist and dental laboratory technician. In order to know the satisfaction of dentisits about fixed prosthetic appliances-porcelain, precious and non precious metal-, this study was conducted for 69 practicing dentisis in Pusan during Fed. to Mar. 1988 using a questionnaire method and was analyzed by the use of percentage, $X^2$-test The results are obtained as follow: 1. General characteristics of the respondents, The rate of age distribution of practcing dentists responded was as follow : 31$\sim$35 age group is 29.0%, 51$\sim$55age group 18.8%, 41$\sim$45 age group and 46$\sim$50 group each 11.6%, 36$\sim$40 age group and 56$\sim$60 age group 8.7%, over 60 age group 7.3%, below 30 age group 4.3% respectively. The tate of term of practice experience distribution of dentists responded was as follow : 6$\sim$10 year group 26.1%, 25$\sim$25year group 18.8%, 11$\sim$15 years group and 16~20 years group each 13.0%, below 5 years group and over 30 years group each 10.2%, 26$\sim$30 years group 8.7% in order. The rate of respondents’ degree was follow : bachelor group 81.2%, doctor group 13.0%, master group 5.8% in order. The rate of respondents’completed medical specialist course was as follow : non-complete group 75.4%, complete group 24.6%. The rate of having own laboratory in respondents’clinic was as follow : no having own laboratory group 58.0%, having own labiratory group 42.0% The rate of being lab. technician in respondent;s clinic was as follow: non-being lab. technician group 91.3%, being lab. technician group 8.7%. The rate of transactional commercial dental lab. numbers was as follow : I dental lab. group 40.6%, 2 dental lab. group 30.4%, 3 dental lab. group 20.3%, production at own lab. group 8.7% 2. Cognitions about the respondent's job, About cognition of patient numvers, there were neither many nor few group 62.3%, few group 17.4%, many group 15.9%, too many group 4.4% in order.(P<.01) As compared with the ratio of dentists to patient prothetic treatment, there were moderate level group 46.4%, high level group 33.6%, low level group 18.8% in order.(P<.01) By job satisfaction of respondents, the highest percentage group was satisfied group 44.9%, neither astisfied nor disstified group 33.3%, dissatisfied group 14.5%, much satisfied group 7.3%(P<.01). As compared with the level of prosthetics price, the were moderate level group 71.0%, low level group 23.2%, high level group 5.8%(P<.01) 3. Satisfaction and assessment of dissatisfied factor of the fixed prosthetic appliance, As compared with the satisfaction of al prosthetic appliance, there were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied group 59.4%, satisfied group 20.3% dissatisfied group 18.8%, much satisfied group 1.5% in order.(P<.01). About precious and non precious metal crown and bridge, there were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied group 60.9%, satisfied group 24.6%, dissatisfied group 11.6%, much satisfied group 2.9% in order.(P<.01) The reat of respondent;s satisfaction about porcelain crown and bridge was as follow : neither satisfied nor dissatisfied group 43.5%, dissatisfied group 33.3%, satisfied group 21.7%, much satisfied group 1.5%(P<.01). The rate of respondent's dissatisfied factor item of precious and non precious metal crown and bridge was as follow : inadequate margin fit item 39.1% respondent, inadequate occlusion item 24.6%, inadequate adaptation item 23.2%, poor anat omic form item 15.9%, inadequate contact item 31.9%, improper polishing item 4.4%, the rest item 11.6% respectively. The rate of respondent's dissatisfied factor item of porcelain crown and bridge was as follow : inadequate margin fit item 52.2%, inadequate occlusion item 2.9%, inadequate adaptation item 10.1%, poor anatomic form item 11.6%, improper polishing item 1.5%, shade mismatching item 71%, the rest item 7.2% respectively. The rate of cognition of respondents’ about cause of dissatisfied factor on fixed prosthetic appliance by item was as follow : deficiency of sincerity item 55.1%, deficiency of knowledge about work item 47.8%, deficiency of experience item 15.9%, poor quality of using material item 5.8%, the rest item 2.9% respectively.

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The Survey of Dentists: Updated Knowledge about Basic Life support and Experiences of Dental Emergency in Korea

  • Cho, Kyoung-Ah;Kim, Hyuk;Lee, Brian Seonghwa;Kwon, Woon-Yong;Kim, Mi-Seon;Seo, Kwang-Suk;Kim, Hyun-Jeong
    • Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.17-27
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    • 2014
  • Background: Various medical emergency situations can occur during dental practices. Cardiac arrest is known to comprise approximately 1% of emergency situation. Thus, it is necessary for dentists to be able to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to increase the chance of saving patient's life in emergency situation. In this paper, we conducted a survey study to evaluate to what extent dentists actually understood CPR practice and if they had experience in handling emergency situations in practice. Method: The survey was done for members of the Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology (KDSA), who had great interest in CPR and for whom survey-by-mail was convenient. We had selected 472 members of the KDSA with a dental license and whose office address and contact information were appropriate, and sent them a survey questionnaire by mail asking about the degree of their CPR understanding and if they had experience of handling emergency questions before. Statistical analyses -frequency analysis, chi-square test, ANOVA, and so on- were performed by use of IBM SPSS Statistics 19 for each question. Result: Among 472 people, 181 responded (38.4% response rate). Among the respondents were 134 male and 47 female dentists. Their average age was $40.4{\pm}8.4$. In terms of practice type, there were 123 private practitioners (68.0%), 20 professors (11.0%), 16 dentists-in-service (8.8%), 13 residents (specialist training) (7.2%) and 9 military doctors (5%). There were 125 dentists (69.1%) who were specialists or receiving training to be specialist, most of whom were oral surgeon (57, 31.5%) and pediatric dentists (56, 30.9%). There were 153 people (85.0%) who received CPR training before, and 65 of them (35.9%) were receiving regular training. When asked about the ratio of chest pressure vs mouth-to-mouth respiration when conducting CPR, 107 people (59.1%) answered 30:2. However, only 27.1% of them answered correctly for a question regarding CPR stages, C(Circulation)- A(Airway)- B(Breathing)- D(Defibrillation), which was defined in revised 2010 CPR practice guideline. Dentists who had experience of handling emergency situations in their practice were 119 (65.6%). The kinds of emergency situations they experienced were syncope (68, 37.6%), allergic reactions to local anesthetic (44, 24.3%), hyperventilation (43, 23.8%), seizure (25, 13.8%), hypoglycemia (15, 8.3%), breathing difficulty (14, 7.8%), cardiac arrest (11, 6.1%), airway obstruction (6, 3.3%), intake of foreign material and angina pectoris (4, 2.2%), in order of frequency. Most respondents answered that they handled the situation appropriately under the given emergency situation. In terms of emergency equipment they had blood pressure device (70.2%), pulse oximetry (69.6%), Bag-Valve-Mask (56.9%), emergency medicine (41.4%), intubation kit (29.8%), automated external defibrillator (23.2%), suction kit (19.3%) and 12 people (6.6%) did not have any equipment. In terms of confidence in handling emergency situation, with 1-10 point scale, their response was $4.86{\pm}2.41$ points. The average point of those who received regular training was $5.92{\pm}2.20$, while those who did not was $4.29{\pm}2.29$ points (P<0.001) Conclusion: The result showed they had good knowledge of CPR but the information they had was not up-to-date. Also, they were frequently exposed to the risk of emergency situation during their dental practice but the level of confidence in handling the emergency situation was intermediate. Therefore, regular training of CPR to prepare them for handling emergency situation is deemed necessary.

Effects of Horseshoe Expander (Horseshoe Expander의 확장 효과에 관한 연구)

  • Chung, Kyu-Rhim;Park, Young-Guk;Lee, Young-Jun;Kim, Hong-Suk
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
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    • v.30 no.5 s.82
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    • pp.553-563
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    • 2000
  • Horseshoe Expander is one of Slow Maxillary Expansion(SME) which aims to accommodate the contra- lateral expansion and midpalatal suture expansion or the palate. The appliance consists of skeleton type strew embedded in split Horseshoe appliance. It is the objectives of the presentation to manifest the changes in dental & craniofacial components subsequent to the application of Horseshoe Expander. The subjects for this study consisted of 32 patients (mean age : 12.7). frontal, lateral cephalometric headfilm were taken and study casts were fabricated before and after expansion. 24 items were measured, compared preexpansion with postexpansion. Especially, palatal volume was measured by means of 'Hydro-measurement method'. Tooth axis measurement on the dental casts were made with Universal bevel protractor, and Horseshoe Expander group were compared with RME group. This study of changes to maxillary expansion with Horseshoe Expander revealed the following significant results. 1. Triangular-shaped expansion pattern appeared in frontal cephalometric headfilm. 2. Palatal plane, occlusal plane, mandibular plane and upper incisor to FH increased in lateral cephalometrir headfilm. 3. Palatal volume increased significantly. A slight bite opening, reduction of occlusal contact points showed in dental casts. 4. A 2.2:1 ratio of the amount of intermolar width in maxilla(orthodontic movement) to maxillary width (orthopedic movement) was determined. 5. Horseshoe Expander group has less buccal tipping tendency than RME group, by taking high correlation coefficients in the upper second premolar and first molar. It was suggested that Horseshoe Expander showed less orthodontic changes, less buccal tipping tendency. In addition, it was effective in maxillary expansion.

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A study of Conjunctival Cellular Changes in Dry Eye Patients by Impression Cytology (Impression cytology를 이용한 건성안의 결막 세포변화에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Jai-Min;Kho, Eun-Gyung;Chae, Soo-Chul;Kim, Soon-Ae
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.333-343
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    • 2004
  • Impression cytology refers to application of cellulose acetate filter material to the ocular surface to remove the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium. The technique is non-invasive, is easy to perform, causes minimal discomfort to the patient, and can be used to follow changes in the conjunctival ocular surface over time. With this method, the morphology of the conjunctival ocular surface can be studied and the degree of squmaous metaplasia assessed. This study was performed to evaluate the conjunctival surface by impression cytology in dry eye patients. A total of 70 students with no contact lens wearing history were recruited. Subjects were required to fill in a McMonnies dry eye symptom questionnaire. The non-invasive tear thinning time(TIT) test of each subject was measured, followed by Schirmer tear test(STI), tear film break-up time(TBUT) tests and Rose-bengal staining were performed as a baseline. Conjunctival epithelial cells from the inferior bulbar conjunctiva were harvested by the impression cytology technique. The specimens collected were labelled and stained with PAS(Periodic Acid Schift)-haematoxylin. The goblet cells and conjunctival epithelial cells were observed under a light microscope of 400x magnification. The specimens were classified according to the Nelson Grading scale which was based on the degree of squamous metaplasia such as changes of goblet cells density, size/form, N:C(nucleus : cytoplasm) ratio. Dry eye patients were observed morphological changes of the epithelial cells, different nuclear alterations, decrease of the goblet cells density. The degree of cytological changes was related to severity of dry eye conditions. When the epithelial cell morphology was graded according to the system described by Nelson, specimens from the control group revealed 91.43% of the eyes to be grade 0 and 8.57% to be grade 1, whereas of the dry eye patients, 20% were grade 0, 42.86% grade 1, 34.29% grade 2 and 2,86% grade 3. Impression cytology represents a non- or minimally invasive biopsy of the ocular surface epithelium with no side effects or contraindications. It has demonstrated to be a useful diagnostic aid for a wide variety of processes involving the ocular surface. This technique is a safe, simple method and may help increase understanding of various ocular surface alterations in dry eye patients.

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Dose Distribution of Co-60 Photon Beam in Total Body Irradiation (Co-60에 의한 전신조사시 선량분포)

  • Kang, Wee-Saing
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.109-120
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    • 1991
  • Total body irradiation is operated to irradicate malignant cells of bone marrow of patients to be treated with bone marrow transplantation. Field size of a linear accelerator or cobalt teletherapy unit with normal geometry for routine technique is too small to cover whole body of a patient. So, any special method to cover patient whole body must be developed. Because such environments as room conditions and machine design are not universal, some characteristic method of TBI for each hospital could be developed. At Seoul National University Hospital, at present, only a cobalt unit is available for TBI because source head of the unit could be tilted. When the head is tilted outward by 90$^{\circ}$, beam direction is horizontal and perpendicular to opposite wall. Then, the distance from cobalt source to the wall was 319 cm. Provided that the distance from the wall to midsagittal plane of a patient is 40cm, nominal field size at the plane(SCD 279cm) is 122cm$\times$122cm but field size by measurement of exposure profile was 130cm$\times$129cm and vertical profile was not symmetric. That field size is large enough to cover total body of a patient when he rests on a couch in a squatting posture. Assuming that average lateral width of patients is 30cm, percent depth dose for SSD 264cm and nominal field size 115.5cm$\times$115.5cm was measured with a plane-parallel chamber in a polystyrene phantom and was linear over depth range 10~20cm. An anthropomorphic phantom of size 25cm wide and 30cm deep. Depth of dose maximum, surface dose and depth of 50% dose were 0.3cm, 82% and 16.9cm, respectively. A dose profile on beam axis for two opposing beams was uniform within 10% for mid-depth dose. Tissue phantom ratio with reference depth 15cm for maximum field size at SCD 279cm was measured in a small polystyrene phantom and was linear over depth range 10~20cm. An anthropomorphic phantom with TLD chips inserted in holes on the largest coronal plane was bilaterally irradiated by 15 minute in each direction by cobalt beam aixs in line with the cross line of the coronal plane and contact surface of sections No. 27 and 28. When doses were normalized with dose at mid-depth on beam axis, doses in head/neck, abdomen and lower lung region were close to reference dose within $\pm$ 10% but doses in upper lung, shoulder and pelvis region were lower than 10% from reference dose. Particulaly, doses in shoulder region were lower than 30%. On this result, the conclusion such that under a geometric condition for TBI with cobalt beam as SNUH radiotherapy departement, compensators for head/neck and lung shielding are not required but boost irradiation to shoulder is required could be induced.

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Clinical Outcome and Long Term Follow-up of Chronic Functional Constipation in Children (소아 만성 기능성 변비의 치료 성적과 장기적 예후)

  • Ahn, Yoon Jin;Park, Jae Ock
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.200-209
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    • 2006
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term outcome and the factors contributing to treatment outcome for chronic functional constipation in children. Methods: Sixty three children were enrolled who had chronic functional constipation and could be followed by telephone contact. They were treated at the Bucheon Soonchunhyang Hospital for more than 1 month and observed from March 2001 to June 2005. We analyzed the clinical features, symptoms and signs, as well as the course and results of treatment. Results: The male to female ratio was 35 (55.6%) : 28 (44.4%). The mean age at the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was $21.1{\pm}23.5$ (1.9~84.0) months and $47.1{\pm}34.2$ (6.9~138.0) months, respectively. The mean defecation frequency before treatment was $3.2{\pm}2.3$ (0.5~10.0) times per week. The symptoms associated with constipation were as follows: soiling 34 (54.0%) which was more common in males than females, large stools in 30 (47.6%), decreased bowel movements less than three times a week in 20 (31.7%), straining during defecation in 19 (30.2%) and retentive posturing 19 (30.2%). The mean duration of follow-up was $34.2{\pm}14.6$ (3.6~60.0) months and 44 (69.8%) patients had their symptoms resolve ("success") and 19 (30.2%) were not resloved ("fail") from the constipation. The time for recovery from soiling, straining during defecation and retentive posturing after treatment was $4.3{\pm}2.4$ (1.0~36.0), $5.0{\pm}1.4$ (0.8~36.0) and $5.0{\pm}3.1$ (1.0~36.0) months, respectively. A relapse of the constipation occurred in 15 (23.8%) patients, 9 (60%) boys and 6 (40%) girls. The time to relapse after cessation of treatment was $2.9{\pm}1.9$ (1.0~6.0) months and the only risk factor associated with relapse was the initial duration of treatment. Conclusion: Most of the patients had resolution of symptoms within five months after treatment; relapse occurred within three months after the interruption of treatment. The duration of treatment was important for recovery and for the prevention of relapse in the constipated children. Thus a long term maintenance of therapy and follow-up is necessary for chronic functional constipation in children.

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