• Title/Summary/Keyword: EVALUATION FACTOR

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TNF-α in the Pleural Fluid for the Differential Diagnosis of Tuberculous and Malignant Effusion (결핵성 및 악성흉수의 감별에 있어 흉수 내 TNF-α의 유용성)

  • Kim, Hye Jin;Shin, Kyeong Cheol;Lee, Jae Woong;Kim, Kyu Jin;Hong, Yeong Hoon;Chung, Jin Hong;Lee, Kwan Ho
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.59 no.6
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    • pp.625-630
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    • 2005
  • Background : Determining the cause of an exudative pleural effusion is sometimes quite difficult, especially between malignant and tuberculous effusions. Twenty percent of effusions remain undiagnosed even after a complete diagnostic evaluation, including pleural biopsy. The activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), which is the one of proinflammatory cytokines, is increased in both infectious and malignant effusions. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic efficiency of TNF-${\alpha}$ activity in distinguishing tuberculous from malignant effusions. Methods : 46 patients (13 with malignant pleural effusion, 33 with tuberculous pleural effusion) with exudative pleurisy were included. TNF-${\alpha}$ concentrations were measured in the pleural fluid and serum samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio (pleural fluid TNF-${\alpha}$ : serum TNF-${\alpha}$) was calculated. Results : TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration and TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio in the pleural fluid were significantly higher in the tuberculous effusions than in the malignant effusions (p<0.05). However, the serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ in the malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions were similar (p>0.05). The cut off points for the pleural fluid TNF-${\alpha}$ level and TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio were found to be 136.4 pg/mL and 6.4, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve were 81%, 80% and 0.82 for the pleural fluid TNF-${\alpha}$ level (p<0.005) and 76%, 70% and 0.72 for the TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio (p<0.05). Conclusion : We conclude that pleural fluid TNF-${\alpha}$ level and TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio can distinguish a malignant pleural effusion from a tuberculous effusion, and can be additional markers in a differential diagnosis of tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion. The level of TNF-${\alpha}$ in the pleural fluid could be a more efficient marker than the TNF-${\alpha}$ ratio.

Comparative Evaluation of Neighborhood Parks in Korea and China based on the Place Attachment Model (장소애착 모델에 근거한 한국·중국 근린공원의 비교평가)

  • Yang, Lei;Lee, Shiyoung
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.45 no.3
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    • pp.21-29
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    • 2017
  • In this study of visitor place attachment to parks, Scannel and Gilford considered the dimensions of place attachment, and proposed the theoretical framework of PPP(Place, Person, Process) that should be systematically studied from the perspective of person, place and psychological processes. According to Scannel's theoretical basis, this paper puts forward the hypothesis of a structure model of place attachment. In the model, the five independent variables of people, places, cognition, emotion, and behavior have influenced the dependent variable of place attachment. The questionnaire was conducted on 18 neighborhood parks in Kunming, China, and the residents of the 5 neighborhood parks in Daejeon, South Korea. A total of 1,645 valid samples of the questionnaire survey were collected. Through confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) results of the inspection of the various elements, it was shown that the reliabilities of 6 latent variables, such as people, places, cognition, affection, behavior and place attachment, which were composed with the observed variables(30 observed variables in Daejeon, 19 observed variables in Kunming), were all above 0.7 and the data were fit for this study. The hypothesis test results found that the physical environment of the neighborhood parks such as a comfortable environment, pleasant road and convenient facilities would increase the rate of visitors coming back. From the park management perspective, to increase the amount of visitors to the park, the park should increase visibility, provide more organized, varied activities and meetings, or special exhibitions according to the particular characteristics of the individual park, to increase awareness of the park. From the park visitors' psychological perspective, visitors are seeking to enjoy the park facilities and environment not only to bring physical relaxation, but also to bring about a psychological cure. With the commonality of attachment structure between the two countries, to improve the place attachment of neighborhood park visitors, collecting regularly visitor feedback will facilitate the sustainable development of neighborhood park attachment.

Value of Pulmonary Function Test as a Predicting Factor of Pneumothorax in CT-guided Needle Aspiration of the Lung (전산화단층촬영 유도하 경피적 폐침생검시 기흉발생 예측인자로써의 폐기능검사의 가치)

  • Kim, Yeon-Jae;Kim, Chang-Ho;Lee, Yeung-Suk;Park, Jae-Yong;Kang, Duk-Sik;Jung, Tae-Hoon
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.259-266
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    • 1993
  • Background: To evaluate the risk factor of pneumothorax (PNX) which is the most common complication of CT-guided needle aspiration of the lung, we have examined the frequency of PNX according to the presence of obstructive ventilatory impairment determined by pulmonary function tests. Methods: A comparative study of analysis of forecd expiratory volume and folw-volume curves, and determinations of diffusing capacity taken before procedure were made between each 16 cases with PNX and controls with no PNX. Each of the control group was matched for sex, age, height, and size and depth of lesion with the former. Results: 1) In comparison of vital capacity and parameters derived from forced expiratory volume curve between two groups, VC and FVC were not significantly different, whereas $FEV_1$, $FEV_1$/FVC%, and FEF25-75% showed a significant decrease in the PNX gorup. Also, in the PNX group, all the observed values of parameters analyzed from flow-volune curve were siginificantly reduced in the PNX group compared with those in the control group. 2) The diffusing capacity tended to decrease along with varying individual differences in the PNX group. 3) Patients who had obstructive ventilatory impairment according to the results of pulmonary function tests experienced a twofold increase in the frequency of PNX and a sixfold increase in the frequency of chest tube drainage for treatment of PNX compared with those whose results were normal. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the exact evaluation of obstructive lung disease determined by pulmonary function test be considered assessing a pastient's risk for PNX in the patients who will take the CT-guided needle aspiration of the lung.

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Factors Affecting Concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Oyster, Laver and Rockfish (굴, 김 및 조피볼락에서 다환성방향족탄화수소(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs)의 잔류에 미치는 요인에 대한 연구)

  • Kim, Kang-Jeon;Choi, Sang-Hoon;Park, Kwan-Ha
    • The Korean Journal of Malacology
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.253-260
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    • 2008
  • A total of 15 different residues of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in each 20 samples of Pacific oysters, dried laver and rockfish obtained from seafood markets were analyzed. The prevalence of samples in which more than one PAH residues were found was 75% in oyster, 35% in rock fish hepatopancreas, 0% in rockfish muscle and laver, respectively. To estimate factors contributing to this residue level difference among organisms, tissue concentrations were analyzed after exposing three organisms to phenanthrene, a representative PAH, with concentration of 0.01 or $0.1{\mu}g/mL$ for 2 weeks. Phenanthrene levels after exposure were higher in the oyster digestive gland, laver and rockfish hepatopancreas, but were lower in the oyster whole meat or rockfish muscle. This finding disproved that any close relationship between the residue difference of market samples and concentrating properties of PAHs. The second possible factor analyzed was total lipid contents in the three organisms. Although higher lipid level in hepatopancreas of rockfish may contribute accumulation of PAH residues in the rockfish, lipid factor did not affect to PAH levels in other organism samples. Activity of 7-ethyoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), a kind of cytochrome $P_{450}$ enzyme, was measured to evaluate the eliminated amount of PAHs through metabolism. The higher EROD activity in rockfish, compared to that in oyster, was likely to contribute to the lower PAH residues in the rockfish. More factors, such as different exposure history, organisms' ability to escape, ingestion through prey organisms, and post-harvest loss, should be studied in the future.

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Cation Exchange Capacities, Swelling, and Solubility of Clay Minerals in Acidic Solutions : A Literature Review

  • Park, Won Choon
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.41-49
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    • 1979
  • A literature review is made on the physical and chemical characteristics of clay minerals in acidic solutions from the mineralogical and hydrometallurgical viewpoints. Some of the important characteristics of clays are their ability to cation exchange, swelling, and incongruent dissolution in acidic solutions. Various clay minerals can take up metallic ions from solution via cation exchange mechanism. Generally, cation exchange capacity increases in the following order : kaolinite, halloysite, illite, vermiculite, and montmorillonite. In acidic solutions, the cation uptake such as copper by clay minerals is strongly inhibited by hydrogen and aluminum ions and thus is not economically significant factor for recovery of metals such as uranium and copper. In acidic solutions, the cation uptake is substial. Swelling is minimal at lower pH, possibly due to lattice collapse. Swelling may be controllable with montmorillonite type clays by exchanging interlayer sodium with lithium and/or hydroxylated aluminum species. The effect of add on clay minerals are : 1. Division of aggregates into smaller plates with increase in surface area and porosity. 2. Clay-acid reactions occur in the following order: (i) $H^+$ replacement of interlayer cations, (ii) removal of octahedral cations, such as Al, Fe, and Mg, and (iii) removal of tetrahedral Al ions. Acid attack initiates, around the edges of the clay particles and continued inward, leaving hydrated silica gel residue around the edges. 3. Reaction rates of (ii) and (iii) are pseudo-1st order and proportional to acid concentration. Rate doubles for every temperature increment of $10^{\circ}C$. Implications in in-situ leaching of copper or uranium with acid are : 1. Over the life span of the operation for a year or more, clays attacked by acid will leave silica gel. If such gel covers the surface of valuable mineral surfaces being leached, recovery could be substantially delayed. 2. For a copper deposit containing 0.5% each of clay minerals and recoverable copper, the added cost due to clay-acid reaction is about 1.5c/lb of copper (or 0.93 lbs of $H_2SO_4/1b$ of copper). This acid consumption by clay may be a factor for economic evaluation of in-situ leaching of an oxide copper deposit.

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Stability Analysis of Open Pit Slopes in the Pasir Coal Field, Indonesia (인도네시아 Pasir 탄전에서의 노천채탄장 사면의 안전성해석)

  • 정소걸;선우춘;한공창;신희순;박연준
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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    • 2000.09a
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    • pp.183-193
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    • 2000
  • A series of studies such as geological logging data analysis, detailed geological survey, rock mass evaluation, in-situ and laboratory tests, rock strength and mechanical properties of the rock were concerned. The stability of the slope were carried out inorder to design the pit slope and individual benches using the stereographic projection analysis and numerical methods in Roto Pit of Pasir coal fetid. The bedding plane was one of the major discontinuities in the Roto Pit and the dip of which is about $60^{\circ}$in the northern part and $83^{\circ}$in the southern part. The dip of bedding becomes steeper from north to south. The plane and toppling failures are presented in many slopes. In laboratory test the average uniaxial compressive strength of mudstone was 9 MPa and that of weak sandstone was 10 MPa. In-situ test showed that the rocks of Roto north mining area are mostly weak enough to be classified in grade from R2(weak) to R3(medium strong weak) and the coal is classified in grades from R1(Very weak) to R2(Weak). The detailed stability analysis were carried out on 4 areas of Roto north(east, west, south and north), and 2 areas of Roto south(east and west). In this paper, the minimum factor of safety was set to 1.2 which is a general criterion for open pit mines. Using the stereographic projection analysis and the limit equilibrium method, slope angles were calculated as 30~$36^{\circ}$for a factor of safety greater than 1.2. Then these results were re-evaluated by numerical analysis using FLAC. The final slope angles were determined by rational described abode. A final slope of 34 degrees can guarantee the stability for the eastern part of the Roto north area, 33 degrees for the western part, 35 degrees for the northern part and 35 degrees for the southern part. For the Roto south area, 36 degrees was suggested for both sides of the pit. Once the pit slope is designed based on the stability analysis and the safety measures. the stability of 니ope should be checked periodically during the mining operations. Because the slope face will be exposed long time to the rain fall, a study such aspreventive measures against weathering and erosion is highly recommended to be implemented.

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Stability Analysis of Open Pit Slopes in the Pasir Coal Field, Indonesia (인도네시아 Pasir 탄전에서의 노천채탄장 사면의 안정성 해석)

  • 정소걸;선우춘;한공창;신희순;박연준
    • Tunnel and Underground Space
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    • v.10 no.3
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    • pp.430-440
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    • 2000
  • A series of studies such as geological logging data analysis, detailed geological survey, rock mass evaluation, in-situ and laboratory tests, rock strength and mechanical properties of the rock were concerned. The stability of the slope were carried out inorder to design the pit slope and individual benches using the stereographic projection analysis and numerical methods in Roto Pit of Pasir coal field. The bedding plane was one of the major discontinuities in the Roto Pit and the dip of which is about 60$^{\circ}$ in the northern part and 83$^{\circ}$ in the southern part. The dip of bedding becomes steeper from north to south. The plane and toppling failures are presented in many slopes. In laboratory test the average uniaxial compressive strength of mudstone was 9MPa and that of weak sandstone was 10MPa. In-situ test showed that the rocks of Roto north mining area are mostly weak enough to be classified in grade from R2(weak) to R3(medium strong weak) and the coal is classified in grades from R1(Very weak) to R2(Weak). The detailed stability analysis were carried out on 4 areas of Roto north (east, west, south and north), and 2 areas of Roto south(east and west). In this paper, the minimum factor of safety was set to 1.2 which is a general criterion for open pit mines. Using the stereographic projection analysis and the limit equilibrium method, slope angles were calculated as 30∼36$^{\circ}$ for a factor of safety greater than 1.2. Then these results were re-evaluated by numerical analysis using FLAC. The final slope angles were determined by rational described above. A final slope of 34 degrees can guarantee the stability for the eastern part of the Roto north area, 33 degrees for the western part, 35 degrees for the northern part and 35 degrees for the southern part. For the Roto south area, 36 degrees was suggested for both sides of the pit. Once the pit slope is designed based on the stability analysis and the safety measures, the stability of slope should be checked periodically during the mining operations. Because the slope face will be exposed long time to the rain fall, a study such aspreventive measures against weathering and erosion is highly recommended to be implemented.

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The Usefulness of Visceral Fat Thickness Measured by Ultrasonography as an Abdominal Obesity Index (초음파로 측정된 내장지방두께의 복부 비만지표로서의 유용성)

  • Kim, Yong-Kyun;Han, Man-Seok
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.249-258
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    • 2008
  • Purpose : Abdominal obesity with visceral fat accumulation have been known to be intimately associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is important to estimate the precise amount of visceral fat. Ultrasonography has been reported that it is a simple and noninvasive method for visceral fat evaluation. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of ultrasonographic visceral fat thickness, anthropometric indexes, and risk factor of metabolic syndrome, and to investigate the cut-off value of abdominal visceral fat thickness leading to increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods : The subject included 200 men and 200 women who visited D healthcare center in Daejeon from January to April 2008. The subcutaneous fat thickness and visceral fat thickness were measured by ultrasonograph. As anthropometric index, we measured body mass index, waist circumference and waist/height ratio. As for the risk factor of metabolic syndrome, we measured blood pressure, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting serum glucose. Results : VFT was significantly correlated with waist circumference, (r=0.683/M, r=0.604/F), waist to height ratio (r=0.633/M, r=0.593/F) and BMI (r=0.621/M, r=0.534/F) in both men and women. In addition it was significantly correlated with Systolic blood pressure (r=0.229/M, r=0.232/F), Diastolic blood pressure ((r=0.285/M, r=0.254/F), high density cholesterol (r=-0.254/M, r=-0.254/F), Triglyceride (r=0.475/M, r=0.411/F), and Fasting blood sugar (r=0.158/M, r=0.234/F) in both men and women. The cut-off value of visceral fat thickness leading to the increased risk of metabolic syndrome was 4.58cm (sensitivity89.2%, specificity 71.2%) in men and 3.50cm (sensitivity61.2% specificity 80.8%) in women respectively. The odds ratio of the risk of metabolic syndrome was dramatically increased with the abdominal visceral fat thickness level over 6cm in men and 5cm in women. Conclusion : The visceral fat thickness using ultrasonography was significantly correlated with anthropometric indexes and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in both men and women. The cut-off value of visceral fat thickness leading to the increased risk of metabolic syndrome was 4.58cm in men and 3.50cm in women.

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Hypothyroidism Following Surgery and Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer (두경부암 환자에서 수술 및 방사선치료 후 갑상선 기능 저하)

  • Park, In-Kyu;Kim, Jae-Cheol
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.225-231
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    • 1997
  • Purpose : Radiation therapy in combination with surgery has an important role in the therapy of the head and neck cancer We conducted a prospective study for patients with head and neck cancer treated with surgery and radiation to evaluate the effect of therapies on the thyroid gland, and to identify the factors that might influence the development of hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods : From September 1986 through December 1994, 71 patients with head and cancer treated with surgery and radiation were included in this prospective study. Patients' age ranged from 32 to 73 years with a median age of 58 years. There were 12 women and 59 men. The primary tumor sites were larynx in 34 patients, hypopharynx in 13 patients, oral cavity in 12 patients, unknown primary of the neck in 6 patients, salivary gland in 3 patients, maxillary sinus in 2 patients, and oropharynx in 1 patient. Total laryngectomy with neck dissection was carried out in 45 patients and neck dissection alone in 26 patients. All patients were serially monitored for thyroid function (T3, T4, free T4, TSH, antithyroglobulin antibody and antimicrosomal antibody) before and after radiation therapy. Radiation dose to the thyroid gland ranged from 40.6Gy to 60Gy with a median dose of 50Gy The follow-up duration was 3 to 80 months. Results :The overall incidence of hypothyroidism was 56.3\%$);7 out of 71 patients $(9.9\%)$ developed clinical hypothyroidism and 33 patients $(46.4\%)$ developed subclinical hypothyroidism. No thyroid nodules, thyroid cancers, or hyperthyroidism was detected. Hypothyroidism developed earlier in patients who underwent total laryngectomy with neck dissection than in patients with neck dissection alone (P<0.05). The risk factor that significantly influenced the incidence of hypothyroidism was a combination of surgery (total laryngectomy with neck dissection) and radiation therapy (P=0.0000), Four of 26 patients $(15.4\%)$ with neck dissection alone developed hypothyroidism while 36 of 45 patients $(80\%)$ with laryngectomy and neck dissection developed hypothyroidism. Conclusion : The hypothyroidism following surgery and radiation therapy was a relatively common complication. The factor that significantly influenced theincidence of hypothyroidism was combination of surgery and radiation therapy. Evaluation of thyroid function before and after radiation therapy with periodic thyroid function tests is recommended for an early detection of hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone replacement therapy is recommended whenever hypothyroidism develops.

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Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Ethanol Extract from Grateloupia crispata on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses in RAW 264.7 Cells and Mice Ears (LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포와 마우스 귀 조직에 대한 주름까막살 에탄올 추출물의 항염증 효과)

  • Bae, Nan-Young;Kim, Min-Ji;Kim, Koth-Bong Woo-Ri;Park, Sun-Hee;Jang, Mi-Ran;Ahn, Dong-Hyun
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.45 no.8
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    • pp.1090-1098
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    • 2016
  • The anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract from Grateloupia crispata (GCEE) were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages. Anti-inflammatory effects were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. There was no cytotoxic effect on proliferation of macrophages treated with GCEE compared to the control. GCEE significantly inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$] as well as nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, GCEE suppressed expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ in a dose-dependent manner. GCEE significantly reduced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. In the in vivo test, evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of GCEE was performed using croton oil-induced ear edema in ICR mice. Oral administration of 10 mg/kg to 250 mg/kg of GCEE significantly reduced ear edema in a dose-dependent manner compared to croton oil-induced mice. Moreover, GCEE reduced ear thickness and the number of mast cells compared to croton oil-induced mice in the histological analysis. These data suggest that GCEE could be used as a potential source for anti-inflammatory agents.