• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2003

Diagnosing and determining the stage of lung cancer by means of positron emission tomography (PET) ha.. been proven valuable because of the limitations of diagnosis by computed tomography (CT). We compared the efficacy of PET with that of CT in diagnosing pulmonary tumor and staging of lung cancer Material and Method: We performed F-18 FDG PET to determine the malignancy and the staging on patients who have been suspicious or were diagnosed as lung cancer by chest X-ray and CT. The findings of PET and of CT of 41 patients (male, 29: female, 12: mean age, 59) were compared with pathologic findings obtained from a mediastinoscopy and thoracotomy. Result: Out of 41 patients, 35 patients had malignant lesions (squamous cell carcinonla 19 cases, adenocarcinoma 14 cases, adenosquamous cell carcinoma 2 cases) and 6 patients had benign lesions. Diagnosing of lung cancer, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT and PET were the same for two method and the numbers were 100%, 50%, and 92.7% respectively. Eighteen LN groups out of 108 mediastinal LN groups who recieved histologic examination proved to be malignant. Pathologic lymph node (LN) stage was N0-Nl 31 cases, N2 8 cases, N3 2 cases. The correct identification of the nodal staging with CT, PET scans were 31 cases (75.6%), 28 cases (68.3%) respectively. The LN group was underestimated in each 6 cases of CT and PET. In 4 cases of CT and 7 cases of PET, they were overestimated in compare to histologic diagnosis. In the detection of mediastinal LN groups invasion, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT were 39.8 %, 93.3 %, and 84.3 % respectively. For PET, they were 61.1 %, 90.0 %, and 85.2 %. When two methods considered together (CT+PET), they were increased to 77.8 %, 93.3 %, and 90.7 % respectively. Conclusion: PET appears to be similar to CT in the diagnosis and the nodal taging of pulmonary tumor. Two tests may stage patients with lung cancer more accurately than CT alone.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.526-534
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• 2009

Purpose: We retrospectively investigated the diagnostic performance of $^{18}F$-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT for cancer detection in asymptomatic health-check examinees. Materials and Methods: This study consisted of 5091 PET or PET/CT conducted as part of annual health examination at one hospital from March 1998 to February 2008. To find the incidence of cancers, medical records of the subjects were thoroughly reviewed for a follow-up period of one year. The patterns of formal readings of PET and PET/CT were analyzed to assess the sensitivity and specificity for cancer detection. The histopathology and stage of the cancers were evaluated in relation to the results of PET. Results: Eighty-six cancers (1.7%) were diagnosed within one year after PET or PET/CT. When PET and PET/CT results were combined, the sensitivity was 48.8% and specificity was 81.1% for cancer detection. PET only had a sensitivity of 46.2% and a specificity of 81.4%, and PET/CT only had a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 78.5% respectively. There were no significant differences in cancer site, stage and histopathology between PET positive and PET negative cancers. In 19.3% of formal readings of PET and PET/CT, further evaluation to exclude malignancy or significant disease was recommended. Head and neck area and upper gastrointestinal tract were commonly recommended sites for further evaluation. Conclusions: PET and PET/CT showed moderate performance for detecting cancers in asymptomatic adults in this study. More experience and further investigation are needed to overcome limitations of PET and PET/CT for cancer screening.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: Wicheon watershed has the largest irrigation area among the mid-watershed of Nakdong river. However, no investigation of irrigation water quality has been conducted on the Wicheon watershed, which evaluates the effects on the soil quality and crop cultivation. Therefore, this study aims to provide various assessments of water quality of Wicheon watershed as the scientific basic data for efficient agricultural activities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Water sampling was performed in five locations of the first tributaries of Wicheon. Wicheon watershed showed clean water quality with very low organic matters and safe water quality from metals at all points of investigation. It was estimated that the natural chemical components of Wicheon watershed were originated from water-rock interaction in Gibbs diagram. All samples were concentrated in the type of Ca-HCO₃-Cl in the Piper diagram. The quality of irrigation water was evaluated with sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI), and percent sodium (%Na). The values of these water quality indices were in the range of 0.37-0.67, -2.11--0.24, 41.13-84.52% and 11.28-21.84%, respectively, and were classified as good grades at all sites. CONCLUSION: The water quality of Wicheon watershed was very low in salt, indicating good irrigation water suitable for growing agricultural products. We hope that the results of this study will be used as the basic data for the cultivation of agricultural products and promotion of their excellence.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.148-154
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• 2006

Purpose: Although radionuclide cisternography (RNC) is an useful study to detect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in the patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), it sometimes fails to demonstrate the site of CSF leakage. The aim of the study is to improve the detection of leakage site of CSF and to reduce time for the study in RNC using modified protocol (m-RNC). Materials & methods : The study consists of 8 studies of 7 patients ($38{\pm}8$ years, M:F=2:5) with SIH, who underwent m-RNC following administration of 185-222 MBq of $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA into the lumbar subarachnoid space. Sequential images were obtained the whole spine with the head including urinary bladder at 10 minute, 30 minute, 1 hour, 2 hour, 4 hour and 6 hour. Radioactivity of extradural space and urinary bladder was evaluated. Results: Leakage site of CSF was identified in all 8 cases by m-RNC. Leakage site was cervicothoracic junction (CTJ, n=3), CTJ with C1-2 (n=2), CTJ with thoracic spine, thoracolumbar spine and lumbar spine (each n=1). All cases presented leakage sites within 1 hour and multiple sites, where CTJ was included in 6 cases. Only one case presented additional site in 6 hour image. Early radioactivity within the urinary bladder was noted in 6 cases, but that was fellowing after identification of the leakage site. Conclusion: Radionuclide cisternography is sensitive to detect the leakage site of CSF and is expected to improve the detection of CSF leakage site and reduce time for the study using modified protocol.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.436-442
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• 2009

Purpose: We underwent this study to evaluate the diagnostic potential of I-123/I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy alone in the initial diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, compared with biochemical test and anatomic imaging. Materials & Methods: Twenty two patients (M:F=13:9, Age: $44.3{\pm}\;19.3$ years) having the clinical evaluation due to suspicious pheochromocytoma received the biochemical test, anatomic imaging modality (CT and/or MRI) and I-123/I-131 MIBG scan for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, prior to histopathological confirmation. MIBG scans were independently reviewed by 2 nuclear medicine physicians. Results: All patients were confirmed histopathologically by operation or biopsy (incisional or excisonal). In comparison of final diagnosis and findings of each diagnostic modality, the sensitivities of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging, and MIBG scan were 88.9%, 55.6%, and 88.9%, respectively. And the specificities of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging, and MIBG scan also were 69.2%, 69.2%, and 92.3%, respectively. MIBG scan showed one false positive (neuroblastoma) and one false negative finding. There was one patient with positive MIBG scan and negative findings of the biochemical test, anatomic imaging. Conclusion: Our data suggest that I-123/I-131 MIBG scan has higher sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy than those of biochemical test and anatomic imaging. Thus, we expect that MIBG scan is e tectively used for initial diagnosis of pheochromocytoma alone as well as biochemical test and anatomic imaging.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1993

The monthly mean sea levels at 48 stations located at the East and Yellow Seas coasts of Korea, Russia and Japan are processed to investigate seasonal sea level variations. The strong seasonal variations are found to be at the west coast of Korea (42.1 cm in Kunsan), in the region of the Korea strait and near the southern part of Primorye (30-33 cm); the weak ones near the southwestern coast of the Sakhalin Island (10-12 cm). Practically for the whole study area except the southwest Sakhalin, the general picture of the seasonal sea level changes is alike: the mean sea level rises in summer-autumn and falls in winter-spring. The spectral analysis of the records also shows that the seasonal oscillations strongly dominate in the sea level variations, more than 80% or total energy in the southern part of the investigated region and 50-70% in the northern part relate to these oscillations. The annal peak significantly prevails in spectra of the monthly sea levels for the majority of stations, the semiannual peak is also well manifested, but the seasonal peaks of higher order (corresponding to the periods of four and three months) reveal only at some records. The maximal amplitudes of annual component by a least square method are found at the Yellow Sea coast of Korea (20-21 cm) and also near the Japanese coast of the korea Strait (19-19 cm). The semiannual component has the maximal amplitudes (3-4 cm) near the south and southwestern coasts of the Sakhalin Island. The annual range of the sea levels is much weaker here than in the other regions, the relative investment of the seasonal oscillations in total energetic budget is only 35-40%, annual ($A_1$) and semiannual ($A_2$) components have nearly the same amplitude (seasonal factor $F=A_1/A_2=0.9-1.2$). On the basis of the present examination on sea level changes together with the results of Tomizawa et. al.(1984) the whole investigated area may be divided into 10 subregions, 2 of them are related to the Yellow Sea and Western part of the Korea Strait (Y1, Y2), the other ones (E1-E8) to the East Sea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2008

Background: Circulating levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) provide prognostic information for patients with heart failure. The aim of our study was to investigate whether preoperative and postoperative BNP levels could predict postoperative complications and outcomes in patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Material and Method: Data was collected prospectively on 30 patients (M/F=19/11, age $60.0{\pm}9.6$ years) undergoing conventional CABG during a 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2005. Patients underwent off-pump CABG, and combined surgery was excluded. The BNP assay was performed preoperatively, immediate postoperatively at the intensive care unit (ICU), and 1, 3, 5, and 7days postoperatively. Result: Preoperative BNP levels significantly correlated with preoperative echocardiographic ejection fraction and an ICU stay of 5 days or more (r=-0.4, p=0.028; r=0.39, p=0.031, respectively). A preoperative BNP cut-off value above 263 pg/mL demonstrated high specificity (90.5%) for predicting postoperative complications using the receiver operating characteristics curves. Preoperative and postoperative (7 days) BNP levels were different depending on the abscence (mean BNP=$99{\pm}23\;pg/mL$ vs. $296{\pm}74\;pg/mL$, p<0.05) and presence (mean BNP=$212{\pm}29\;pg/mL$ vs. $408{\pm}23\;pg/mL$, p<0.01). Conclusion: Preoperative BNP levels >263 pg/mL predict postoperative complications in patients receiving CABG.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.217-231
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• 2018

Planktonic ciliates play an important role in the food web of marine ecosystem as well as a bio-indicator for invasive species from ballast waters or from changing flow of ocean currents due to climate changes. This study was carried out to find some evidences for introduction of such invasive species using ciliate plankton in four major international ports of Korea. We surveyed the seasonal species composition of planktonic ciliate to find out the evidence for the invasive species at Busan, Ulsan, Gwangyang and Incheon ports from February 2007 to November 2008. A total of 45 ciliates species, belonging to 15 genera, were identified during the study period: 33 species occurred at Busan, 31 at Gwangyang, 30 at Ulsan, 18 at Incheon. The abundance of naked ciliates ranged from 566 to $65,151cells\;L^{-1}$ and that of tintinnids 10 to $5,973cells\;L^{-1}$. Based on vector species of ciliates reported from Coos Bay in Oregon, 13 vector species of tinitinnids were identified as follows, Eutintinnus lususundae, E. tubulosus, Favella ehrenbergii, F. taraikaensis, Helicostomella subulata, Stenosemella nivalis, Tintinnopsis ampla, T. beroidea, T. cylindrica, T. directa, T. lohmanni, T. radix, T. rapa. All vector species occurred at Gwangyang port. Most tintinnids were mainly neritic species throughout the survey, while warm water species occurred only in short period at Busan, Ulsan and Gwangyang ports that might be affected seasonally by Tsushima warm current.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.11-22
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• 2002

This study investigated the effects of mild mental imagery inducing pleasantness or unpleasantness and cognitive mental arithmetic task on skin conductance level. Subjects were f undergraduates(male 5, female 4). They were given the list of the words and asked to write down the liked objects and the disliked ones freely associated with these words. Among these objects the most-liked one and the most disliked one were selected as the self-induced mental imageries. Data-collection procedures were as follows ; first baseline, pleasant imagery, 2nd baseline, unpleasant imagery, finally 3rd baseline, and mental arithmetic task subtracting continuously 7 from the number 500. During these trials, the SCLs were recorded every 10 seconds. The results indicated that there were nonsignificant differences between the 3 trial-baselines ot each condition. This suggested that unlike the procedures used in the previous studies, our procedures would give the stability of the baseline level necessary for the comparison of the effects of several stimuli. Also, the level of skin conductance in mental arithmetic condition was significantly higher than that of the emotional mental imagery. This suggested the possibility that mental arithmetic task would gave rise to the higher physiological arousal in comparison to mental imageries. Overall, it was suggested that the procedures and the stimulus presentation methods used in this preliminary study could be useful for the data-collection techniques for The future study. Implications for the future study were presented.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 1998

This study has been focused on both estrogenic and proliferating activity of genistein (GEN) and bisphenol A (BPA). GEN and BPA enhance the proliferation of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 human breast cancer cells at concentrations as low as 100 nM of GEN and 8 ng/ml of BP A achieving similar effect to that of estradiol at 1 nM. Expression of the estrogen responsive gene, pS2 was also induced in MCF-7 cells by treatment with genistein at dose as low as 1 nM and BPA at dose as low as 4 ng/ml. Using 21 day-old ovariectomized nude mice, we examined end-bud formation and mammary gland development after treatment with bisphenol A or genistein. Compared with untreated control, mammary gland development and end-bud formation were significantly increased in mice fed genistein or bisphenol A (p<0.05). Taken together, it is concluded that GEN and BP A can act as an estrogen agonist resulting in cell proliferation and induction of the estrogen responsive pS2 gene in MCF-7 cells in vitro and in athymic mice in vivo, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that GEN and BP A might modulate human endocrine system and these compounds might be considered as a endocrine modulator at the low levels of doses.