• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.193-202
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• 2003

Objective: To evaluate the difference of implantation rate (IR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) between two protocols of endometrial preperation in women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Methods: This study was performed during the different time periods: A retrospective study from January 2000 to June 2001 (phase I) and a prospective study from July 2001 to March 2002 (phase II). All the patients received estradiol valerate (6 mg p.o. daily) starting from day 1 or 2 of the menstrual cycle without pituitary down regulation. Progesterone was administered around day 14 after sonographic confirmation of endometrial thickness $\geq$7 mm and no growing follicle. In Group A (n=88, 99 cycles) of phase I, progesterone was administered i.m. at a dose of 50 mg daily from one day prior to thawing of pronuclear (PN) stage frozen embryo or three days prior to thawing of 6-8 cell stage frozen embryo and then each stage embryos were trasnsferred 2 days or 1 day later after thawing. In Group B (n=246, 299 cycles) of phase I, patients recieved progesterone 100 mg i.m. from one day earlier than group A; two days prior to PN embryo thawing, four days prior to of 6-8 cell embryo thawing. During the phase II, to exclude any differences in embryo transfer procedures, in Group 1 (n=23, 28 cycles) of phase II embryo was transfered by one who have used the progesterone protocol since the phase I. In Group 2 (n=122, 139 cycles) of phase II embryo was transfered by one who use the progesterone protocol from the phase II. Results: When compared across the phase and group, there were no significant differences in the characteristics. During the phase I, there were significant increase in IR (14.4% vs 5.9%, p=0.001) and CPR (28.3% vs 14.5%, p=0.000) in group A. During the phases II, IR (11.8% vs 10.6%) and CPR (27.6% vs 27.3%) show no differences between two groups. Conclusions: In FET cycles, IR and CPR are increased significantly by the change of dosage and timing of progesterone administraton. And the timing is considered to be more important factor because the dosage of progesterone did not affect implantation window in previous studies. Therefore, we suggest that progesterone administration in FET cycle should begin from one day prior to PN stage embryo thawing and three days prior to 6-8 cell stage embryo thawing.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2001

Cheju island depends on a hydrogeologically vulnerable aquifer system as its principle source of drinking water. Most of golf courses are located in the area which is important for the ground water recharge, and pesticides are applied to golf courses often at relatively high rates. Therefore, turf pesticides in golf course should be applied without adversely impacting ground water. In this experiment, downward movement of pesticides was monitored in model greens of golf course, where different adsorbents were layered in 3-cm thickness at 35-cm depth, and effect of the adsorption layer on the leaching loss of pesticides was investigated. Major leachings were observed in the periods of heavy rain and very limited leaching was observed under artificial irrigation. Fenitrothion and triadimefon, which have relatively short persistence and high adsorption coefficient, were found in the leachate in low concentrations only at the first rainfall event, around 20 days after the pesticide application. However, diniconazole, which has a relatively long half-life (97 days), was detected in the leachate during the whole period of experiment and concentration was much higher than those of the other pesticides. Maximum leachate concentrations were 1.9, 10.3, and 84.5 ${\mu}l^{-1}$ for fenitrothion, triadimefon, and diniconazole, respectively. Therefore, in golf course green which allows rapid water percolation and has extremely low adsorption capacity, persistence in soil could be more important factor in determination of leaching potential of pesticides. Total quantity of pesticides leached from the model green was <0.2% for fenitrothion and triadimefon and 1.8% for diniconazole. Adsorption layers significantly reduced pesticide leaching, and active carbon and Orpar were more effective than zeolite. In the model green having adsorption layer of active carbon or Orpar, leaching loss of pesticides was reduced below 0.01% of the initial application.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2012

Purpose: This study evaluated the usefulness of Helmet bolus device using Bolx-II, paraffin wax, solid thermoplastic material in total scalp irradiation. Materials and Methods: Using Rando phantom, we applied Bolx-II (Action Products, USA), paraffin wax (Densply, USA), solid thermoplastic material (Med-Tec, USA) on the whole scalp to make helmet bolus device. Computed tomography (GE, Ultra Light Speed16) images were acquired at 5 mm thickness. Then, we set up the optimum treatment plan and analyzed the variation in density of each bolus (Philips, Pinnacle). To evaluate the dose distribution, Dose-homogeneity index (DHI, $D_{90}/D_{10}$) and Conformity index (CI, $V_{95}/TV$) of Clinical Target Volume (CTV) using Dose-Volume Histogram (DVH) and $V_{20}$, $V_{30}$ of normal brain tissues. we assessed the efficiency of production process by measuring total time taken to produce. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used to verify the accuracy. Results: Density variation value of Bolx-II, paraffin wax, solid thermoplastic material turned out to be $0.952{\pm}0.13g/cm^3$, $0.842{\pm}0.17g/cm^3$, $0.908{\pm}0.24g/cm^3$, respectively. The DHI and CI of each helmet bolus device which used Bolx-II, paraffin wax, solid thermoplastic material were 0.89, 0.85, 0.77 and 0.86, 0.78, 0.74, respectively. The result of Bolx-II was the best. $V_{20}$ and $V_{30}$ of brain tissues were 11.50%, 10.80%, 10.07% and 7.62%, 7.40%, 7.31%, respectively. It took 30, 120, 90 minutes to produce. The measured TLD results were within ${\pm}7%$ of the planned values. Conclusion: The application of helmet bolus which used Bolx-II during total scalp irradiation not only improves homogeneity and conformity of Clinical Target Volume but also takes short time and the production method is simple. Thus, the helmet bolus which used Bolx-II is considered to be useful for the clinical trials.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2007

Purpose: The pelvic phantom was fabricated in the following purposes: (1) Dose verification of IMRT plan using Eclipse planning computer, (2) to study the interface effect at the interface between rectal wall and air. The TLD can be inserted in the pelvic phantom to confirm the dose distribution as well as uncertainty at the interface. Materials and Methods: A pelvic phantom with the dimension of 30 cm diameter, 20 cm height and 20 cm thickness was fabricated to investigate the dose at the rectal wall. The phantom was filled with water and has many features like bladder, rectum, and prostate and seminal vesicle (SV). The rectum is made of 3 cm-dimater plastic pipe, and it cab be blocked by using a plug, and film can be inserted around the rectal wall. The phantom was scanned with Philips Brillance scanner and various organs such as prostate, SV, and rectal wall, and bladder wall were delineated. The treatment parameters used in this study are the same as those used in the protocols in the SNUH. TLD chips are inserted to the phantom to evaluate the dose distribution to the rectal wall (to simulate high dose gradient region), bladder wall and SV (to simulate the high dose region) and 2 spots in anterior surface (to simulate the low dose region). The TLD readings are compared with those of the planning computer (ECLIPSE, Varian, USA). Results: The target TLD doses represented as the prostate and SV show excellent agreements with the doses from the RTP within +/-3%. The rectal wall doses measured at the rectal wall are different from the those of the RTP by -11%. This is in literatures called as an interface effect. The underdosages at the rectal wall is independent of 3 heterogeneity correction algorithm in the Eclipse RTP. Also the low dose regions s represented as surface in this study were within +/-1%. Conclusion: The RTP estimate the dosage very accurately withihn +/-3% in the high dose (SV, or prostate) and low dose region (surface). However, the dosage at the rectal wall differed by as much as 11% (In literatures, the underdosage of 9$\sim$15% were reported). This range of errors occurs at the interface, for example, at the interface between lung and chest wall, or vocal cord. This interface effect is very important in clinical situations, for example, to estimate the NTCP (normal tissue complication probability) and to estimate the limitations of the current RTP system. Monte-carlo-based RTP will handle this issue correctly.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.419-425
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity and cytotoxicity of three resin-based (AH 26, EZ fill and AD Seal), a zinc oxide-eugenol-based (ZOB Seal), and a calcium hydroxide-based (Sealapex) root canal sealers. Specimens, 10 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness, were radiographed simultaneously with an aluminum step wedge using occlusal films, according to ISO 6876/2001 standards. Radiographs were digitized, and the radiopacity of sealers was compared to the different thicknesses of the aluminum step wedge, using the Scion image software. Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the cytotoxicity of each material was determined in immortalized human periodontal ligament (IPDL) cells. The results demonstrated that EZ fill was the most radiopaque sealer, while Sealapex was the least radiopaque (p < 0.05). AH 26, AD Seal and ZOB Seal presented intermediate radiopacity values. All the materials evaluated, except for Sealapex, presented the minimum radiopacity required by ISO standards. The cell viabilities of resin-based root canal sealers were statistically higher than that of other type of root canal sealers through the all experimental time. Further, EZ fill showed statistically lower cell viability in 24 and 48 hours compared to AD Seal and in 72 hours compared to all other resin-based root canal sealers. However, there was no correlation between the radiopacity and cytotoxicity of three resin-based root canals sealers (p > 0.05). These results indicate that resin-based root canal sealer is more biocompatible and has advantage in terms of radiopacity.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.507-517
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• 2008

There are considerable in vitro and in vivo evidences for remineralization and demineralization occurring simultaneously in incipient enamel caries. In order to "heal" the incipient dental caries, many experiments have been carried out to determine the optimal conditions for remineralization. It was shown that remineralization is affected by different pH, lactic acid concentrations, chemical composition of the enamel, fluoride concentrations, etc. Eighty specimens from sound permanent teeth without demineralization or cracks, 0.15 mm in thickness, were immersed in lactic acid buffered demineralization solutions for 3 days. Dental caries with a surface zone and subsurface lesion were artificially produced. Groups of 10 specimens were immersed for 10 or 12 days in lactic acid buffered remineralization solutions consisting of pH 4.3 or pH 6.0, and 100, 50, 25, or 10 mM lactic acid. After demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by polarizing microscopy (${\times}100$) and micro-computed tomography. The results were obtained by observing images of the specimens and the density of the caries lesions was determined. 1.As the lactic acid concentration of the remineralization solutions with pH 4.3 was higher, the surface zone of the carious enamel increased and an isotropic zone of the subsurface lesion was found. However, the total decalcification depth increased at the same time. 2.In the remineralization solutions with pH 6.0, only the surface zone increased slightly but there was no significant change in the total decalcification depth and subsurface zone. In the lactic acid buffer solutions with the lower pH and higher lactic acid concentration, there were dynamic changes at the deep area of the dental carious lesion.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.495-504
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• 2017

An amphibious scrubbing/suction dredging machine with cylindrical rotating brush, housing, and turbidity barrier was newly-developed to remove both sediments with about 10 cm thickness and periphyton attached on various structures in urban water-circulating systems through the scrubbing, suction, and dredging processes. Based on the field application and long-term monitoring, the increase in both suspended solids (SS) and turbidity of water during the scrubbing, suction, and dredging processes was negligible (p>0.05). In some cases, the turbidity of water initially increased, however, the turbidity was stabilized within 20 minutes from the start of dredging processes. The concentration changes in TN and TP of water were not statistically different (p>0.05) before and after the scrubbing, suction, and dredging processes, indicating that benthic nutrients released from sediments were not significantly diffused, and were not supposed to cause significant water pollution. Also, water treatment facilities along with an amphibious scrubbing/suction dredging machine could be more effective since the removal of contaminant loadings through the scrubbing, suction, and dredging processes was much greater than that through simple coagulation/precipitation processes. Finally, GPS-based realtime tracking and operation program have been developed and applied in various urban water-circulating systems, and development of driver cooperative autonomous driving system is in progress to eliminate the need for manual driving of an amphibious scrubbing/suction dredging machine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.27-40
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• 2010

Background and Objective : Increasing interest in anti-aging and anti-wrinkling agents for the skin has triggered the recent outflow of researches and studies in this field. This study was designed to investigate the effects of bee venom on skin wrinkling and skin aging by testing the skin wrinkling, skin elasticity, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), free radical level, anti-oxidative agent level, and skin tissue after infusion of bee venom on hairless mouse. Materials and Methods : Fifteen hairless mice aged between 36~40 weeks were divided randomly into 3 Group; the Bee Venom Syringe Group, the Bee Venom Needle Group, and the control group. The Bee Venom Syringe Group were injected subcutaneously with bee venom (0.1cc in total) using an insulin syringe on three spots in the lumbar spine (one spot on the center and two spots 1~2cm to the side bilaterally). The Bee Venom Needle Group were pricked with bee venom-smeared acupuncture needles on three longitudinal spots in the lumbar spine each 1cm apart, after which the needles were removed 10 minutes later. The Control Group did not receive any form of intervention. All procedures took place thrice a week for four weeks, during which the mice were allowed free access to water and fodder. The mice were measured and compared in the weight, skin wrinkling scale, skin elasticity, and TEWL before and after the experiment. After the experiment, blood samples were taken to measure the free radical and anti-oxidative agent level, and the skin tissue was sliced for examination. Data was analyzed using the SPSS program (ver 12.0). The ANOVA analysis was used to compare and contrast the three groups, and t-test for paired samples was used to evaluate skin-wrinkling before and after experiment. The cut-off p-value of significance was set at p<0.05. Results : 1. Administration of bee venom did not cause serious weight loss or gain. 2. Compared to the control group, the Bee Venom Syringe Group and the Bee Venom Needle Group both showed a decrease in skin wrinkling scale after intervention. Especially, the Bee Venom Syringe Group showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). 3. Compared to the control group, the Bee Venom Syringe Group and the Bee Venom Needle Group both showed an increase in skin elasticity. Especially, the Bee Venom Syringe Group showed a significant increase (p<0.05). 4. No significant change in TEWL was found in the mice in all the three groups before and after experiment. 5. Free radical level was normal in all 15 mice in all the three groups, and anti-oxidative agent was not significantly different across the three groups. 6. The Bee Venom Syringe Group, the Bee Venom Needle Group, and the control group did not show any significant difference in the thickness of epidermis and dermis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and skin wrinkling. The epidermis layer was relatively better preserved in the Bee Venom Syringe Group as compared to the Bee Venom Needle Group and the control group. Conclusion : Direct injection of bee venom on the hairless mouse using a syringe was found to improve wrinkling of the skin and increase skin elasticity but did not show effectiveness on skin dryness due to water loss. The bee venom appears to have suppressive effects on skin wrinkling, one of the symptoms of skin aging, through a process independent of suppression of free radicals or increase of anti-oxidative agent.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 2002

The TiO$_2$ coating solutions were synthesized with different concentrations (T1-0.7N, T2-2.0N) of hydrochloric acid used as catalyst. and TiO$_2$ thin films were prepared by sol-gel dip coating. Their structural and optical properties were examined as a function of calcination temperature. XRD results showed that T1 thin films calcined at 400~80$0^{\circ}C$ had the anatase phase, while those calcined at 100$0^{\circ}C$ had the rutile phase. T2 thin films calcined at 40$0^{\circ}C$ and $600^{\circ}C$ had the anatase phase, with the rutile phase for calcination at 80$0^{\circ}C$. Crystallinity of T2 thin films was superior to that of T1 thin films. The crystallite size of TiO$_2$ thin films increased with increasing calcination temperature, and the crystallite size of anatase phase in T2 thin films was larger than that in T1 thin films, but the crystallite size of rutile phase in T2 thin films was smaller. The surface morphology of the films showed that the films were formed more densely in the rutile phase than in the anatase phase, this phenomenon appeared conspicuously in T2 thin films. The transmittance of the samples with thin films on quartz glass calcined at 100$0^{\circ}C$ was significantly reduced at wavelength range about 300-700 nm due to the increased absorption originating from the change of crystallite phase and composition of the films and the scattering effect originating from increasing crystallite size. The refractive index of TiO$_2$ thin films increased, and hence the film thickness as well as the porosity of TiO$_2$ thin films decreased with increasing calcination temperature. Furthermore, the refractive index of T2 thin films was higher than T1 thin films, and porosity of T2 films was lower.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2014

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of various pretreatments when fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) post is bonded to endodontically treated tooth with resin cement. Materials and methods: Canal shaping of FRC post (DT Light post, Size 3, Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) was performed on endodontically treated premolars at 1.5 cm from CEJ. Samples were divided into 6 groups of surface treatment after conventional washing and drying to the canal. Total of 24 FRC posts were randomly divided into 6 groups of surface treatment as follows: Group C: control - no surface treatment, Group A: airborne-particle abrasion (Cojet sand, 3M ESPE), Group S: silanization (Bis-silane, Bisco Inc.), Group M: universal primer (Monobond-plus primer, Ivoclar Vivadent Inc.), Group AS: silanization after airborne-particle abrasion, Group AM: universal primer treatment after airborne-particle abrasion. Pretreated fiber posts were cemented with resin-based luting material and photo-polymerized and cut to the thickness of 1 mm. Push-out test using a universal testing machine was performed. Bonding failure strength of post dislodgement was measured and the type of bonding failure was classified. Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple comparison groups were performed using Tukey HSD value of rank test (${\alpha}=0.05$). Results: Group AS showed significantly highest bonding strength. Group S, group AM, group A, and group M showed lower bonding strength in order. The control group showed the lowest bonding strength. Conclusion: Surface treatment with silane showed to be the most effective of the surface pretreatment methods for cementation of FRC post. Surface treatment with universal primer showed no significant difference compared with no surface treatment group as for bonding strength.