• Title/Summary/Keyword: EVALUATION

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Evaluation of Multiple System Atrophy and Early Parkinson's Disease Using $^{123)I$-FP-CIT SPECT ($^{123)I$-FP-CIT SPECT를 이용한 다중계위축증 및 조기 파킨슨병에서의 평가)

  • Oh, So-Won;Kim, Yu-Kyeong;Lee, Byung-Chul;Kim, Bom-Sahn;Kim, Ji-Sun;Kim, Jong-Min;Kim, Sang-Eun
    • Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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    • v.43 no.1
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    • pp.10-18
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: We investigated quantification of dopaminergic transporter (DAT) and serotonergic transporter (SERT) on $^{123}I$-FP-CIT SPECT for differentiating between multiple systemic atrophy (MSA) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). Materials and Methods: N-fluoropropyl-$2{\beta}$-carbomethoxy-$3{\beta}$-4-[$^{123}I$]-iodophenylnortropane SPECT ($^{123}I$-FP-CIT SPECT) was performed in 8 patients with MSA (mean age: $64.0{\pm}4.5yrs$, m:f=6:2), 13 with early IPD (mean age: $65.5{\pm}5.3yrs$, m:f=9:4), and 12 healthy controls (mean age: $63.3{\pm}5.7yrs$, m:f=8:4). Standard regions of interests (ROls) of striatum to evaluate DAT, and hypothalamus and midbrain for SERT were drawn on standard template images and applied to each image taken 4 hours after radiotracer injection. Striatal specific binding for DAT and hypothalamic and midbrain specific binding for SERT were calculated using region/reference ratio based on the transient equilibrium method. Group differences were tested using ANOVA with the postHoc analysis. Results: DAT in the whole striatum and striatal subregions were significantly decreased in both patient groups with MSA and early IPD, compared with healthy control (p<0.05 in all). In early IPD, a significant increase in the uptake ratio in anterior and posterior putamen and a trend of increase in caudate to putamen ratio was observed. In MSA, the decrease of DAT was accompanied with no difference in the striatal uptake pattern compared with healthy controls. Regarding the brain regions where $^{123}I$-FP-CIT binding was predominant by SERT, MSA patients showed a decrease in the binding of $^{123}I$-FP-CIT in the pons compared with controls as well as early IPD patients (MSA: $0.22{\pm}0.1$ healthy controls: $0.33{\pm}0.19$, IPD: $0.29{\pm}0.19$), however, it did not reach the statistical significance. Conclusion: In this study, the differential patterns in the reduction of DAT in the striatum and the reduction of pontine $^{123}I$-FP-CIT binding predominant by SERT could be observed in MSA patients on $^{123}I$-FP-CIT SPECT. We suggest that the quantification of SERT as well as DAT using $^{123}I$-FP-CIT SPECT is helpful to differentiate parkinsonian disorders in early stage.

Relation between Health Status and Intake of Soy Isoflavone among Adult Women in Seoul (서울 거주 성인 여성의 대두 이소플라본 섭취와 건강과의 관련성)

  • Lee, Min-June;Sohn, Chun-Young;Park, Ok-Jin
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.218-230
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    • 2010
  • This study was conducted to survey isoflavone intake among adult women in menopause with diseases such as metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis and to analyze the relationship between each of these chronic diseases followed by isoflavone intake and the related health risk index. The average age of the subjects was 49.97 years old, while that of the pre-menopausal subjects was 45.14 years, and the post-menopausal subjects was 55.99 years. The average body mass index (BMI), waist-hip circumference, body fat percentage, blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid content of the post-menopausal subjects were higher in significant difference than those of the pre-menopausal subjects. The bone density of the hip and spine in post-menopausal subjects was lower in significant difference than that of the pre-menopausal subjects. After menopause, the subjects had a lower ratio of individuals at risk of anemia when compared with the subjects before menopause, but had higher health risk ratio related to each type of chronic disease, including obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and osteoporosis than the subjects before menopause. The intake frequency of each soybean food was similar among subjects before/after menopause. The most common soybean based foods consumed by the subjects were soybean, soybean curd and soybean paste. The average daily intake level of isoflavone among subjects before menopause was 25.48 mg, while that of subjects after menopause was 32.25 mg. Evaluation of the distribution of the isoflavone level revealed that the pre-menopausal subjects consumed 3.29~78.36 mg and the post-menopausal subjects consumed 3.18~116.59 mg. The intake level by each individual varied greatly. The pre-menopausal subjects had a low BMI index and systolic blood pressure as much as their isoflavone intake level was high. Additionally, the post-menopausal subjects had a low menarche age and high menopause age when their isoflavone intake level was high, the BMI index and waist-hip circumference ratio was highest among individuals with lowest isoflavone intake level. This study showed that there was a possible relationship between soybean isoflavone intake and health problems such as obesity, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis in women after menopause with diseases such as metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis, even if this relationship was not great.

Major Characteristics Related to Eating Quality in Waxy Corn Hybrids (찰옥수수 교잡종의 식미관련 주요 특성)

  • Jung Tae wook;Kim Sun Lim;Moon Hyeon Gui;Son Beom Young;Kim Si Ju;Kim Soon Kwon
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.50 no.spc1
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    • pp.152-160
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    • 2005
  • This study was carried out to investigate selectable criteria in evaluating waxy corn $F_1$ hybrids for developing good eating quality waxy corn variety. The physicochemical property analysis of 6 waxy corn $F_1$ hybrids - Chalok1, Chalok2, Heugjeomchal, Yeonnongl, Chalok4, and Suwon45- showed a range of $11.2\~13.1\%$ for crude protein, $5.1\~6.0\%$ for crude fat, $91.8\~92.6\%$ for amylopectin, and $4.5\~6.6\%$ for free sugar content. The pericarp thickness which is one of the most important characteristics related to tenderness in waxy corn was ranged $34\~47{\mu}m$ in 4 waxy corn hybrids - Yeonnongl, Chalok4, Suwon45, and Heugjeomchal. On the other hand, it was ranged $64\~81{\mu}m$ in Chalok1 and Chalok2. The amylogram analysis by rapid visco analyzer showed that in fresh waxy corn hybrid (DAP25), all amylogram properties except setback were higher in Yeonnongl, Chalok4, and Suwon45 compared to those of Chalokl, Chnlok2, and Heugjeomchal. However, in matured waxy corn hybyids (DAP45), the result was the opposite - the amylogram properties were higher in Chalokl, Chalok2, and Heugjeomchal than those of Yeonnongl, Chalok4, and Suwon45. The texture analysis showed that gumminess, chewiness, and hardness increased dramatically with the time after the cooking in Chalokl and Beugjeomchal. On the other hand, these above pyoperties did not change as rapidly with the time in Yeonnongl, Chalok4, and Suwon45. Gumminess, chewiness, and hardness did not increase much within 6 hours after steamingr but increased significantly 32 hours after steaming. Therefore, we have reached a conclusion that texture analysis of cooked waxy corn should be carried out 6 hours after steaming. In the sensory evaluation, Yeonnongl, Chalok4, and Suwon45 revealed higher palatability -6.8, 7.1, and 6.9 respectively - than. that of Chnlokl, Chalok2, and Heugjeomchal. The palatability analysis of 6 waxy corn hybrids showed palatability positively correlating with free sugar content,100-kernel weight, kernel length, kernet width, and consistency, but negatively correlating with pericarp thickness, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness.

The Evaluation of Predose Counts in the GFR Test Using $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA ($^{99m}Tc$-DTPA를 이용한 사구체 여과율 측정에서 주사 전선량계수치의 평가)

  • Yeon, Joon-Ho;Lee, Hyuk;Chi, Yong-Ki;Kim, Soo-Yung;Lee, Kyoo-Bok;Seok, Jae-Dong
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.94-100
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: We can evaluate function of kidney by Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) test using $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA which is simple. This test is influenced by several parameter such as net syringe count, kidney depth, corrected kidney count, acquisition time and characters of gamma camera. In this study, we evaluated predose count according to matrix size in the GFR test using $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA. Materials and Methods: Gamma camera of Infinia in GE was used, and LEGP collimator, three types of matrix size ($64{\times}64$, $128{\times}128$, $256{\times}256$) and 1.0 of zoom factor were applied. We increased radioactivity concentration from 222 (6), 296 (8), 370 (10), 444 (12) up to 518 MBq (14 mCi) respectively and acquired images according to matrix size at 30 cm distance from detector. Lastly, we evaluated these values and then substituted them for GFR formula. Results: In $64{\times}64$, $128{\times}128$ and $256{\times}256$ of matrix size, counts per second was 26.8, 34.5, 41.5, 49.1 and 55.3 kcps, 25.3, 33.4, 41.0, 48.4 and 54.3 kcps and 25.5, 33.7, 40.8, 48.1 and 54.7 kcps respectively. Total counts for 5 second were 134, 172, 208, 245 and 276 kcounts from $64{\times}64$, 127, 172, 205, 242, 271 kcounts from $128{\times}128$, and 137, 168, 204, 240 and 273 kcounts from $256{\times}256$, and total counts for 60 seconds were 1,503, 1,866, 2,093, 2,280, 2,321 kcounts, 1,511, 1,994, 2,453, 2,890 and 3,244 kcounts, and 1,524, 2,011, 2,439, 2,869 and 3,268 kcounts respectively. It is different from 0 to 30.02 % of percentage difference in $64{\times}64$ of matrix size. But in $128{\times}128$ and $256{\times}256$, it is showed 0.60 and 0.69 % of maximum value each. GFR of percentage difference in $64{\times}64$ represented 6.77% of 222 MBq (6 mCi), 42.89 % of 518 MBq (14 mCi) at 60 seconds respectively. However it is represented 0.60 and 0.63 % each in $128{\times}128$ and $256{\times}256$. Conclusion: There was no big difference in total counts of percentage difference and GFR values acquiring from $128{\times}128$ and $256{\times}256$ of matrix size. But in $64{\times}64$ of matrix size when the total count exceeded 1,500 kcounts, the overflow phenomenon was appeared differently according to predose radioactivity of concentration and acquisition time. Therefore, we must optimize matrix size and net syringe count considering the total count of predose to get accurate GFR results.

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Evaluation of the Parameters of Soil Potassium Supplying Power for Predicting Yield Response, K2O Uptake and Optiumum K2O Application Levels in Paddy Soils (수도(水稻)의 가리시비반응(加里施肥反応)과 시비량추정(施肥量推定)을 위한 가리공급력(加里供給力) 측정방법(測定方法) 평가(評価) -I. Q/I 관계(関係)에 의(依)한 가리(加里) 공급력측정(供給力測定)과 시비반응(施肥反応))

  • Park, Yang-Ho;An, Soo-Bong;Park, Chon-Suh
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.42-49
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    • 1983
  • In order to find out the possibility of predicting fertilizer K requirement from the K supplying capacity of soil, the relative K activity ratio, Kas/kai, the potential buffering capacity of $K^+$ ($PBC^k$ ; the liner regression coefficient) and its activity ratio ($AR^k_o$ ; $^{k+}$/${\sqrt{Ca^{+2}+Mg^{+2}}}$ in mol/l) at ${\delta}K$ = O, in the Q/I relationships of Beckett(1964), were determined for the soils before flooding and the samples taken at heading stage of transplanted rice in pot experiment. These parameters assumed as the K supplying capacity of soils were subjected for the investigation through correlation stady between themselves and other factors such as grain yield or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake by rice plant at harvest. The results may be summarized as follows; 1. The potassium supplying power of the flooded soil was considered to be ruled by the amounts of exchangeable K before flooding, since there was little change in exchangeable K concentration from no-exchangeable K during the incubation periods of 67 days. 2. The $PBC^k$ values, in soils before flooding were 0.027, 0.014 and 0.009, where as the $AR^k_o{\times}10^{-3}$ values were 9.1, 7.6, and 15.4, respectively, in clay, loamy and sandy loam soils. 3. The $PBC^k$ values, determined in the soil samples taken at heading stage, varied little compared with the values of orignal soil, regardless of those different fertilizer treatments and textures, showing the possibility of using them as a factor for the improvement of soil to increase the efficiency of fertilizer K. 4. The significant yield responses to potassium fertilizer application were observed wherever the $AR^k_o$ values in soil at heading stage drop down to the original $AR^k_o$ values, regardless of any levels of fertilizer application. 5. The higher correlations between the gain yield or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake and by the use of both soil factors of $PBC^k$ and $AR^k_o$ at heading stage were observed compared with the use of any single factor. 6. The Kas/Kai value in the soil, estimated prior to the experiment, had high possitive correlation with the $AR^k_o$ determined in the soil at heading stage and could be used as a soil factor for predicting potassium fertilizer requirement.

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The Qualitiy Characteristics of Kimchi added Vinegar, Mustard and Leaf Vegetables (식초, 겨자, 잎채소를 첨가한 김치의 품질특성)

  • Pak, Hee-Ok;Sohn, Chun-Young
    • The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.841-849
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    • 2013
  • The aim of this study was to investigate the quality characteristics of Kimchi, prepared with seasoning fluid, vinegar, and mustard extract to inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms and extend the edible period during fermentation at $25^{\circ}C$. We also added perilla leaf, endive, and mustard leaf to Kimchi to improve the flavor. The pH of control Kimchi fluid over 1 day after Kimchi processing, was $5.40{\pm}0.01$ and that of the experimental groups in which vinegar and mustard extract were added was $4.51{\pm}0.01{\sim}4.52{\pm}0.01$, which was lower than that of the control. As the fermentation progresses, the pH of the control decreased rapidly and that of the experimental groups decreased slowly. The initial titratible acidity of the control was low and 3 days later reached $0.95{\pm}0.04$. However, that of the experimental groups was $0.42{\pm}0.01{\sim}0.43{\pm}0.02$ and 5 days later reached a level similar to that of the control. The salinities of the Kimchi juice of both the control and the experimental groups were $2.67{\pm}0.06{\sim}2.80{\pm}0.10$% after 1 day and decreased during fermentation. The amount of lactic acid bacteria of the control was $8.17{\pm}4.01{\times}10^8cfu/g$, 1 day after the Kimchi processing and that of the experimental groups was $2.70{\pm}2.08{\times}10^7{\sim}3.63{\pm}2.80{\times}10^7cfu/g$. After 3 days, these were $3.13{\pm}1.94{\times}10^{11}cfu/g$ and $2.47{\pm}2.23{\times}10^9{\sim}8.03{\pm}3.71{\times}10^9cfu/g$, respectively. According to the result of sensory evaluation, throughout the entire period of the experiment, all sensory items such as color, odor, taste, texture, and total acceptability of the experimental groups were better than those of the control group (p<0.05). Especially, Kimchi in which perilla leaf was added was the best. With the addition of vinegar and mustard extract to the Kimchi, microorganism proliferation was inhibited and the edible period was extended. The minerals, vitamins and antioxidants of leaf vegetables could therefore be obtained.

Effect of the Changing the Lower Limits of Normal and the Interpretative Strategies for Lung Function Tests (폐기능검사 해석에 정상하한치 변화와 새 해석흐름도가 미치는 영향)

  • Ra, Seung Won;Oh, Ji Seon;Hong, Sang-Bum;Shim, Tae Sun;Lim, Chae Man;Koh, Youn Suck;Lee, Sang Do;Kim, Woo Sung;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won Dong;Oh, Yeon-Mok
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.61 no.2
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    • pp.129-136
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    • 2006
  • Background: To interpret lung function tests, it is necessary to determine the lower limits of normal (LLN) and to derive a consensus on the interpretative algorithm. '0.7 of LLN for the $FEV_1$/FVC' was suggested by the COPD International Guideline (GOLD) for defining obstructive disease. A consensus on a new interpretative algorithm was recently achieved by ATS/ERS in 2005. We evaluated the accuracy of '0.7 of LLN for the $FEV_1$/FVC' for diagnosing obstructive diseases, and we also determined the effect of the new algorithm on diagnosing ventilatory defects. Methods: We obtained the age, gender, height, weight, $FEV_1$, FVC, and $FEV_1$/FVC from 7362 subjects who underwent spirometry in 2005 at the Asan Medical Center, Korea. For diagnosing obstructive diseases, the accuracy of '0.7 of LLN for the $FEV_1$/FVC' was evaluated in reference to the $5^{th}$ percentile of the LLN. By applying the new algorithm, we determined how many more subjects should have lung volumes testing performed. Evaluation of 1611 patients who had lung volumes testing performed as well as spirometry during the period showed how many more subjects were diagnosed with obstructive diseases according to the new algorithm. Results: 1) The sensitivity of '0.7 of LLN for the $FEV_1$/FVC' for diagnosing obstructive diseases increased according to age, but the specificity was decreased according to age; the positive predictive value decreased, but the negative predictive value increased. 2) By applying the new algorithm, 34.5% (2540/7362) more subjects should have lung volumes testing performed. 3) By applying the new algorithm, 13% (205/1611) more subjects were diagnosed with obstructive diseases; these subjects corresponded to 30% (205/681) of the subjects who had been diagnosed with restrictive diseases by the old interpretative algorithm. Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of '0.7 of LLN for the $FEV_1$/FVC' for diagnosing obstructive diseases changes according to age. By applying the new interpretative algorithm, it was shown that more subjects should have lung volumes testing performed, and there was a higher probability of being diagnosed with obstructive diseases.

Multimodality Treatement in Patients with Clinical Stage IIIA NSCLC (임상적 IIIA병기 비소세포폐암의 다각적 치료의 효과)

  • Lee, Yun Seun;Jang, Pil Soon;kang, Hyun Mo;Lee, Jeung Eyun;Kwon, Sun Jung;An, Jin Yong;Jung, Sung Soo;Kim, Ju Ock;Kim, Sun Young
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.57 no.6
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    • pp.557-566
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    • 2004
  • Background : To find out effectiveness of multimodality treatments based on induction chemotherapy(CTx) in patients with clinical stage IIIA NSCLC Methods : From 1997 to 2002, 74 patients with clinical stage IIIA NSCLC underwent induction CTx at the hospital of Chungnam National University. Induction CTx included above two cycles of cisplatin-based regimens(ectoposide, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, or taxol) followed by tumor evaluation. In 30 complete resection group, additional 4500-5000cGy radiotherapy(RTx) was delivered in 15 patients with pathologic nodal metastasis. 29 out of 44 patients who were unresectable disease, refusal of operation, and incomplete resection were followed by 60-70Gy RTx in local treatment. Additional 1-3 cycle CTx were done in case of induction CTx responders in both local treatment groups. Results : Induction CTx response rate were 44.6%(complete remission 1.4% & partial response 43.2%) and there was no difference of response rate by regimens(p=0.506). After induction chemotherapy, only 33 out of resectable 55 ones(including initial resectable 37 patients) were performed by surgical treatment because of 13 refusal of surgery by themselves and 9 poor predicted reserve lung function. There were 30(40.5%) patients with complete resection, 2(2.6%) persons with incomplete resection, and 1(1.3%) person with open & closure. Response rate in 27 ones with chest RTx out of non-operation group was 4.8% CR and 11.9% PR. In complete resection group, relapse free interval was 13.6 months and 2 year recur rate was 52%. In non-complete resection(incomplete resection or non-operation) group, disease progression free interval was 11.2 months and 2 year disease progression rate was 66.7%. Median survival time of induction CTx 74 patients with IIIA NSCLC was 25.1months. When compared complete resection group with non-complete resection group, the median survival time was 31.7 and 23.4months(p=0.024) and the 2-year overall survival rate was 80% and 41%. In the complete resection group, adjuvant postoperative RTx subgroup significantly improved the 2-year local control rate(0% vs. 40%, p= 0.007) but did not significantly improve overall survival(32.2months vs. 34.9months, p=0.48). Conculusion : Induction CTx is a possible method in the multimodality treatments, especially followed by complete resection, but overall survival by any local treatment(surgical resection or RTx) was low. Additional studies should be needed to analysis data for appropriate patient selection, new chemotherapy regimens and the time when should RTx be initiated.

Granulocytic Sarcoma(Chloroma) in Leukemic Patients (백혈병 환자의 과립구 육종(녹색종양))

  • Rhee, Seung-Koo;Kang, Yong-Ku;Bahk, Won-Jong;Jung, Yang-Kuk;Lee, Sang-Wook;Jeong, Ji-Ho
    • The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.54-61
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    • 2005
  • Purpose: The granulocytic sarcoma which developed in leukemic patients are quite rare and it will have bad prognosis, but it's tumor pathogenesis and also their treatment are not yet established. Through this study we have tried to know their clinical course, prognosis and their end result of recent treatment. Material and Methods: Total 20 patients of granulocytic sarcoma which were developed in total 2,197 leukemic patients from April, 1998 to September, 2004 were treated at the leukemic center and the orthopaedic department of St. Mary's hospital, Catholic University of Korea, and followed them for 1~78 months(average 18 months). Results: Total 20 cases of granulocytic sarcoma was found in 14 cases of total 1,331 acute myelocytic leukemic patients(AML), 4 cases of total 744 of chronic myelocytic leukemic patients(CML), and only one case in total 122 of acute biphenotype of leukemia. And so their occurrence rate in leukmic patients are actually 0.91%, total 20 cases of granulocytic sarcoma in total 2,197 leukemic patients at same period. Their ages are average 28.3 years(4~52 years), and male are predominant(13 cases) than female(7 cases). Single involvement was found in 11 cases but multiple lesions are in 9 cases, and spine, brain, extremities, chest, and pelvic bone are involved in frequency. The granulocytic sarcoma was developed in various stages of the leukemia, ie, 8 cases in complete remission of leukemia, and 12 cases in the treatment process of AML. The pathohistologic evaluation of granulocytic sarcoma was done in 6 cases which was developed in their extremities, and confirmed numerous immature myeloblasts and lymphocytes mixed. The treatment of these granulocytic sarcoma was mainly limited for the treatment of leukemia by Glivac and massive steroid therapy(19cases) and also combined with the bone marrow transplantation(13 cases), but radiation therapy with average 3,500 rads in 15 cases out of total 20 sarcomas was also done, and followed them for average 17.5 months after development of granulocytic sarcomas. Finally their prognosis was so bad that 12 patients(60%) out of total 20 granulocytic sarcoma were dead in 6.5 months after sarcoma developed and we found the granulocytic sarcoma was more fatal if they are developed during the process of CML(mortality: 100%(4/4cases). Conclusion: The prognosis of granulocytic sarcomas in leukemic patients are quite fatal, and much more studies for their pathogenesis and ways of treatment should be performed continuously.

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The Relationship Between DEA Model-based Eco-Efficiency and Economic Performance (DEA 모형 기반의 에코효율성과 경제적 성과의 연관성)

  • Kim, Myoung-Jong
    • Journal of Environmental Policy
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.3-49
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    • 2014
  • Growing interest of stakeholders on corporate responsibilities for environment and tightening environmental regulations are highlighting the importance of environmental management more than ever. However, companies' awareness of the importance of environment is still falling behind, and related academic works have not shown consistent conclusions on the relationship between environmental performance and economic performance. One of the reasons is different ways of measuring these two performances. The evaluation scope of economic performance is relatively narrow and the performance can be measured by a unified unit such as price, while the scope of environmental performance is diverse and a wide range of units are used for measuring environmental performances instead of using a single unified unit. Therefore, the results of works can be different depending on the performance indicators selected. In order to resolve this problem, generalized and standardized performance indicators should be developed. In particular, the performance indicators should be able to cover the concepts of both environmental and economic performances because the recent idea of environmental management has expanded to encompass the concept of sustainability. Another reason is that most of the current researches tend to focus on the motive of environmental investments and environmental performance, and do not offer a guideline for an effective implementation strategy for environmental management. For example, a process improvement strategy or a market discrimination strategy can be deployed through comparing the environment competitiveness among the companies in the same or similar industries, so that a virtuous cyclical relationship between environmental and economic performances can be secured. A novel method for measuring eco-efficiency by utilizing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which is able to combine multiple environmental and economic performances, is proposed in this report. Based on the eco-efficiencies, the environmental competitiveness is analyzed and the optimal combination of inputs and outputs are recommended for improving the eco-efficiencies of inefficient firms. Furthermore, the panel analysis is applied to the causal relationship between eco-efficiency and economic performance, and the pooled regression model is used to investigate the relationship between eco-efficiency and economic performance. The four-year eco-efficiencies between 2010 and 2013 of 23 companies are obtained from the DEA analysis; a comparison of efficiencies among 23 companies is carried out in terms of technical efficiency(TE), pure technical efficiency(PTE) and scale efficiency(SE), and then a set of recommendations for optimal combination of inputs and outputs are suggested for the inefficient companies. Furthermore, the experimental results with the panel analysis have demonstrated the causality from eco-efficiency to economic performance. The results of the pooled regression have shown that eco-efficiency positively affect financial perform ances(ROA and ROS) of the companies, as well as firm values(Tobin Q, stock price, and stock returns). This report proposes a novel approach for generating standardized performance indicators obtained from multiple environmental and economic performances, so that it is able to enhance the generality of relevant researches and provide a deep insight into the sustainability of environmental management. Furthermore, using efficiency indicators obtained from the DEA model, the cause of change in eco-efficiency can be investigated and an effective strategy for environmental management can be suggested. Finally, this report can be a motive for environmental management by providing empirical evidence that environmental investments can improve economic performance.

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