• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2006

Porous polymer gel electrolytes (PGEs) based on poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF-co-HFP)) as a polymer matrix and polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) as a pore-forming agent were prepared and electrochemical properties were investigated for an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) in order to increase a permeability of an electrolyte into the PGE. Propylene carbonate (PC) and ethylene carbonate (EC) as plasticizers, and tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate ($TEABF_4$) as a supporting salt for the PGE were used. EDLC unit cells were assembled with the PGE and electrode comprising BP-20 and MSP-20 as activated carbon powders, Super P as a conducting agent, and P(VdF-co-HFP)/PVP as a mixed binder. Ion conductivity of PGEs increased with an increased PVP content and was the best at 7 wt% PVP, whereas electrochemical characteristics such as AC-ESR of unit cell were better in 3 wt%. And electrochemical characteristics of the unit cell with PGE were the best at a 33 : 33 weight ratio of PC to EC. Specific capacitance of a mixed plasticizer system of PE and EC was higher than that of pure PC. Ion conductivity of PGEs with a film thickness of $20{\mu}m$ was higher, but electrochemical characteristics of unit cells were higher for a $50{\mu}m$ membrane thickness. Also, the unit cell has shown the highest capacitance of 31.41 F/g and more stable electrochemical performance when PGE and electrode were hot pressed. Consequently, the optimum composition ratio of PGE for EDLCs was 23 : 66 : 11 wt% such as P(VdF-co-HFP) : PVP = 20 : 3 wt% and PC : EC = 44 : 22 wt%. In this case, $3.17{\times}10^{-3}S/cm$ of ion conductivity was achieved at the $50{\mu}m$ thickness of PGE for EDLCs. And the electrochemical characteristics of unit cells were $2.69{\Omega}$ of DC-ESR, 28 F/g of specific capacitance, and 100% of coulombic efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.152-159
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• 2012

Objectives: This study evaluated bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in patients diagnosed with malignant bone tumors. Demographic findings, laboratory, and radiographic analyses were performed to characterize disease severity and progression. Materials and Methods: Patients who had been diagnosed with BRONJ (2005-2010) at the authors' hospital according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons were investigated. Twenty-one patients (12 with multiple myelomas, 7 with breast cancer, and 2 with prostate cancer) who had been treated with bisphosphonates (BPs) for malignant bone tumors were included. Radiographic evaluations with a panorama, computed tomography, whole body bone scan, and laboratory findings were evaluated for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive proteins (CRPs), and c-terminal cross-linked telopeptides (CTXs). Results: The average age of the patients was 64.3 (range 51-80), and they were treated with BPs for an average of $35{\pm}19$ months before BRONJ was diagnosed. Types of BPs were zolendronic acid (81%, intravenous [IV]), pamidronate (4.8%, IV), zoledronic acid+pamidronate (4.8%, IV), alendronate (4.8%, per os [PO]), and ibadronate (4.75%, PO). Extraction (67%) and persistent irritation of dentures (20%) were the most common triggering factors. BRONJ in the mandible was reported in 62% of the cases, in the maxilla 24%, and both 14%. BRONJ occurred more frequently in patients with multiple myelomas (n=12, 57.1%). Most of the patients revealed an advanced BRONJ stage; Stage I (n=2, 9%), Stage II (n=13, 62%), and Stage III (n=6, 29%). Conclusion: The differences of the ESR, CRP, and CTX values between the BRONJ-recurring and non-recurring patients after the treatment were not evident. Later stage BRONJ patients showed lower CTX levels. A drug holiday after the diagnosis of BRONJ did not remarkably influence the surgical outcomes. However, the limited number of patients in the study should be considered.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.267-276
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• 2015

The gallbladder(GB) polyps have malignant potential and nowadays are increasing due to the extended use of ultrasonography. Even though there are various reports on the risk of GB polyps, there is few study on the relationship between the presence of metabolic syndrome including serum biochemistry, lifestyle and the development of gallbladder polyps in korean population. The aim of this study is to establish a relationship between the presence of metabolic syndrome including serum biochemistry and the development of gallbladder polyps in korean population. This study conducted on 151 men and 167 women who visited a musculoskeletal hospital in Gyeonggido to have an ultrasound scan of the abdomen from November 2, 2012 to January 31, 2014. They are randomly selected to evaluate the prevalence risk factors were analyzed by comparing various variables between the GB polyp positive and negative. The collected data were analyzed using the personal computer program SPSS version 20.0 for windows. The mean size of the GB polyps was 3.92mm in diameter. Size of GB polyps were less than 10mm in diameter. As to frequency in the people with the GB polyps, the number of patients with the GB polyps was 184(57.9%): the number of metabolic syndrome of them was 114(26.4%); these results showed that risk of the GB polyps got higher at patients with metabolic syndrome. As to the risk of the GB polyps, people with the GB polyps had significantly higher risk than those without the GB polyps, as follows: The risk was significantly 1.061 times higher by weight; 1.186 by BMI; 1.060 by systolic blood pressure; 1.030 by diastolic blood pressure; 1,009 by Total cholesterol; 2.736 by metabolic syndrome; 1.011 by blood sugar on an empty stomach; 1.064 by ESR. The risk factors of GB polyps were found to be weight, BMI, total cholesterol, Triglycerol, Glucose, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, ESR and metabolic syndrome. This study has a possibility to be used an indicator to identify the GB polyps, and in the future larger-scale study will have to be conducted to objectify it.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.676-681
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• 2008

To obtain a natural antioxidant from a marine biomass, this study investigated the antioxidative activity of methanolic extracts from the marine brown alga, Ishige okamurae collected off Jeju Island. A potent free radical scavenging activity was detected in the ethyl acetate fraction containing polyphenolic compounds, and the potent antioxidant elucidated as a kind of phlorotannin, diphlorethohydroxycarmalol, by NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The free radical scavenging activities of the diphlorethohydroxycarmalol were investigated in relation to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), alkyl, and hydroxyl radicals using an electron spin resonance (ESR) system. The diphlorethohydroxycarmalol was found to scavenge DPPH ($IC_{50}=3.41{\mu}M$) and alkyl ($IC_{50}=4.92{\mu}M$) radicals more effectively than the commercial antioxidant, ascorbic acid. Therefore, these results present diphlorethohydroxycarmalol as a new phlorotannin with a potent antioxidative activity that could be useful in cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceuticals.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.776-784
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of traditional Korean medicine treatments on a patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Case Summary: A 29-year-old male patient suffering from lower back pain and chest pain was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Korean medicine treatments, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine, were applied. The treatment effect was evaluated with a numeral rating scale (NRS) for pain and by changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). After 44 days of treatment, the patient's symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis were improved. The NRS score for lower back pain decreased from 3 to 2, and the NRS score for chest pain decreased from 10 to 1. In addition, the ESR level decreased from 13 to 10 and the CRP level decreased from 1.39 to 0.84. Conclusion: The integrative Korean medicine treatments appeared to be effective in relieving pain associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.10
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• pp.1673-1681
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• 2013

Five different chopped frozen garlic products samples, three from Chinese and two from Korean origins being commercially available products in Korean market, were used to confirm their pre-pasteurization or pre-irradiation status by screening (direct epifluorescent filter technique/aerobic plate counts, DEFT/APC; electronic nose, E-nose; photostimulated luminescence, PSL) and identification (thermoluminescence, TL; electron spin resonance, ESR) techniques. Some parts of samples were gamma-irradiated at 1 kGy to be used as control samples in irradiation history identification. DEFT/APC and e-nose successfully showed distinct results between the domestic and imported samples. The PSL photon counts of all the unknown samples were less than 700 (negative), while most of 1 kGy-irradiated samples gave PSL photon counts more than 5,000 (positive). The domestic unknown samples produced the TL glow peaks after $300^{\circ}C$ or more, whereas the imported samples showed TL peaks at the range of $240{\sim}250^{\circ}C$. A clear TL glow peak was obtained from all irradiated samples at $150{\sim}250^{\circ}C$. The unknown samples of Chinese origin gave radiation-specific cellulose ESR signal that was not shown by domestic samples. A multiple step of applying the physical analytical methods is recommended for the effective identification of irradiation status on chopped frozen garlic products.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.221-229
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• 1998

Purpose : The symptom of urinary tract infection in children is non-specific and systemic compared to that of adults. So the diagnosis of UTI in children can be delayed. If UTI in children is not appropriately managed, it may he resulted in renal failure, hypertension, growth failure in adolescence because there are already documented renal scar or urinary tract abnormality in infection period. Especially upper UTI that involve renal parenchyme may be result in fatal complication. The purpose of this study is analyzing the relationship between acute reactive marker and $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan in upper urinary tract infection. Methods : This study included 56 children admitted at Dankook University Hospital Pediatric Department in Jan. 1995~May. 1998. We analyzed quantatively the results of acute reactive marker(CRP, ESR, WBC), pyuria, fever and compared to those of sonographically find ing and $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan. Comparison between groups were performed by the chi-square (x2) test and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : 1) The number of boys less than 1 year of age was larger than that of girls. But the number of boys more than 1 year of age was reversed. 2) The higher me level of reactive marker (CRP, WBC), the more the probability of upper UTI. 3) The higher fever, the more the probability of upper UTI. 4) The more pyuria, the more probability of upper UTI. 5) The more higher the grade of vesicoureteral reflux, the more probability of upper UTI. 6) $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan is more sensitive and more specific diagnostic tool than renal sonogram. Conclusion : The appearance of an abnormal $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan is correlated with acute reactive marker (CRP, ESR, WBC), fever, pyuria. $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan can be a good valuable predictor tool in upper UTI. So we can start early treatment and decrease the incidence of complication of upper urinary tract by above indicators before knowing the result of urine culture. And we can follow up the patients in more good relationships with their parents by telling them the duration of treatment and follow-up plan.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.87-101
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• 1997

This Research is an attempt to find out what effects the resistance exercise program has on the rheumatoid arthritis patient's functional disability and biochemical parameters. The research took place from June to November 1996, and the target included an experimental group of 25 cases of rheumatoid arthritis and a control group of 26 cases of rheumatoid arthritis taken from the Anam Medical Center at Korea University. The resistance exercise program was executed on these patients five times a week during a period of eight weeks. Before and after the experiments, measurements of functional disability score, ESR, CRP, self-efficacy, and family support were taken and closely analysed. The results of this analysis are as follows : 1. After the experiment, the experimental group had less functional disabilities compared to the control group(t=9.11, P=0.0017). 2. After the experiment, the ESR of both the experimental and the control groups decrease, but there was not notable difference between the two groups(t=0.07, P=0.9546). 3. After the experiment, the CRP of both the experimental and the control groups decreased, with no significant different between them(t=0.53, P=0.6022). 4. After the experiment, the self-efficacy of the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group(t=3.15, P=0.0042), but the self-efficacy had no effect on the actual practice of the program. 5. After the experiment, the family support of the experimental group was higher than of the control group(t=6.33, P=0.0013), but again the family support had no effect on the actual practice of the program. Judging from the results of these experiments, the resistance exercise program not only diminishes rheumatoid arthritis patients' functional disabilities, but also has a great influence on increasing their self-efficacy and family support. Concluding, in diminishing the functional disabilities of rheumatoid arthritis, the resistance exercise program would be appropriate nursing intervention.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.369-376
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of inflammatory biomarkers in acute infectious diarrhea among children. Methods: Clinical parameters including fever, bacterial and viral etiology based on stool culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and nine biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and leukocytes in blood and calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, polymorphonuclear elastase, leukocytes, and occult blood in feces were evaluated in children who were hospitalized due to acute diarrhea without underlying disease. Results: A total of 62 patients were included. Among these patients, 33 had fever, 18 showed bacterial infections, and 40 patients were infected with 43 viruses. Of all the biomarkers, CRP was significantly correlated with fever (p<0.001). CRP, ESR, calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, fecal leukocytes, and occult blood were significantly associated with infection with bacterial pathogens (p<0.001, p=0.04, p=0.03, p=0.003, p=0.02, p=0.03, p=0.002, respectively). The combination of CRP and fecal lactoferrin at their best cut-off values (13.7 mg/L and $22.8{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) yielded a sensitivity of 72.2%, and a specificity of 95.5% for bacterial etiology compared with their individual use. Conclusion: Blood CRP is a useful diagnostic marker for both fever and bacterial etiology in acute pediatric diarrhea. The combination of CRP and fecal lactoferrin yields better diagnostic capability for bacterial etiology than their use alone for acute diarrhea in children without underlying gastrointestinal disease.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.8.1-8.19
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• 2023

Cancer of the stomach is the second most frequent cancer-related death worldwide. The survival rate of patients with gastric cancer (GC) remains fragile. There is a requirement to discover biomarkers for prognosis approaches. Helicobacter pylori in the stomach is closely associated with the progression of GC. We identified the genes associated with poor/favorable prognosis in H. pylori-induced GC. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE54397 to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in gastric tissues with H. pylori-induced cancer compared with the H. pylori-positive with non-cancerous tissue. A protein interaction map (PIM) was built and subjected to DEMs targets. The enriched pathways and biological processes within the PIM were identified based on substantial clusters. Thereafter, the most critical genes in the PIM were illustrated, and their prognostic impact in GC was investigated. Considering p-value less than 0.01 and |Log2 fold change| as >1, five microRNAs demonstrated significant changes among the two groups. Gene functional analysis revealed that the ubiquitination system, neddylation pathway, and ciliary process are primarily involved in H. pylori-induced GC. Survival analysis illustrated that the overexpression of DOCK4, GNAS, CTGF, TGF-b1, ESR1, SELE, TIMP3, SMARCE1, and TXNIP was associated with poor prognosis, while increased MRPS5 expression was related to a favorable prognosis in GC patients. DOCK4, GNAS, CTGF, TGF-b1, ESR1, SELE, TIMP3, SMARCE1, TXNIP, and MRPS5 may be considered prognostic biomarkers for H. pylori-induced GC. However, experimental validation is necessary in the future.