• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.270-275
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• 2007

The QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay and tuberculin skin test (TST) have been useful test for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infections (LTBI). However, there are few reports on the efficacy of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay and TST in evaluating the response after the treatment of LTBI. This study examined the changes in the TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay before and after a treatment for latent tuberculosis in health care workers (HCWs) at a local tertiary hospital. Methods: A cohort of volunteers working as nurses and doctors who underwent a TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay was established. The volunteers positive for the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay had been treated with 3 months of isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RFP). After completing treatment, the TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay were repeated. Results: Of the 48 participants (14 doctors, 34 nurses, M: F=11:37, mean $age=29.9{\pm}5.5$ years, mean employment $period=74.9{\pm}64.3$ months), 19 (39.6%) tested positive to the TST (mean induration=$19.1{\pm}9.7mm$) and 8 (16.7%) were QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay. Among them, one had active pulmonary tuberculosis. Seven volunteers were consistently positive to both the TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay after being medicated with INH and RFP for 3 months. Conclusion: TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay are unsuitable for evaluating the treatment response of LTBI because they were consistently positive both before and after the anti-tuberculosis medication.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1061-1066
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• 2003

Purpose : The rising prevalence of childhood obesity may be due to an energy imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. Recently, consumption of beverages in children has increased. The aim of this study is to provide useful information for the prevention and the control of childhood obesity by assessment of variable beverage consumption. Methods : Fight hundred seventy seven children(M : F=1 : 1.02, mean age; 9.7 years) from two primary schools in Seoul in May 2003 were enrolled. Body mass index(BMI) was calculated and the degree of obesity was classified into normal, overweight and obese groups by BMI percentile. Parental BMI, socio-economic factor, 3-day dietary intake, calory intake and beverage intake were examined by questionnaires. We researched beverages and classified them into six categories, milk, other milk products, soda, sports beverage, other beverage. Results : The prevalence of obesity was 7.2%. The parental BMI of the obese group were higher than those of the other groups. There was no significant difference in birth weight, or parents' intellectual and economic levels between the obese group and the other groups. There was no significant difference in daily total calory intake between the obese group and the other groups. The obese group of 7-9 year-old-males was higher than the other groups in sodas, and sports beverages intake. The obese group of 10-12 year-old-males was higher than the other groups in total beverage intake and other beverage intakes. The obese group of 10-12 year-old-females was higher than the other groups in other milk products. Conclusion : Excessive intake of beverages is associated with childhood obesity. Efforts to decrease intake of beverages may be important approaches to counter the rise in the prevalence of obesity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.183-194
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• 1990

In an attempt to develop prophylactic and therapeutic measures of the intestinal giant-cystic disease caused by Thelohanellus kitauei in the Israel carp, Cyprinus carpio nodus, pathological observations were conducted upon the carps which were hatched in May 1988 and raised in a net cage fish farm at the Soyang lake, managed by Horim Fisheries for the period of 21 months with 1~2 months interval. After a gross inspection of the carps, necropsy was carried out periodically in order to clarify the pathological changes in various internal organs and muscular tissues. Also. the prevalence of the disease was checked during the period from 1988 to 1990. Gross inspections revealed that the infected carps showed some degree of fading in body and gill color, back-emaciation symptoms, reddish anus accompanying erosion and relaxation and pot-belly, as well as discharge of yellowish white mucoid material from the anus. However, most carps died eventually of intestinal obstruction. Other significant necropsy fadings included cyst formation of various size in the intestinal mucosa, ascites, anemic condition through internal organs and muscular tissues, hyperemia and dilation of intestines with decreased tension, thinness and fragility, and full contents of semi-fluid or yellowish white mucoid material in the intestinal canals. Based on the morphological characteristics of the spores found in the cysts, parasitic location in the intestines, macro- and microscopic findings of the lesions, the parasites were identised as Thelohanellus kitauei Egusa os Nakajima, 1981. Although monthly changes of water temperature were distinct, the extrusion rates of the polar filaments of the spores stayed constant throughout the year with an exception of a lower rate in July, The lesions initiated from mucosa and submucosa in early July became large swellings and then complete mature (orms following the peracute course. From late August the upper cysts were gradually opened and most of the spores were dispersed from anus into the surrounding water through December but only a few lasted until next April. The cysts were completely recovered until next September. Comparing the incidence and prevalence of the disease by year tremendous infection and death rates were checked in the first prevalent year, 1988, but the rates were significantly decreased in the second year, and showed an almost normal status in the third year, 1990. As the above summarized results showed, the disease entity might come to an end in three years after the first prevalent year, however, the spores must be strictly prevented because they could be infective in the water for one year.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging modality that consists of systemic administration to a subject of a radiopharmaceutical labeled with a positron-emitting radionuclide. Following administration, its distribution in the organ or structure under study can be assessed as a function of time and space by (1) defecting the annihilation radiation resulting from the interaction of the positrons with matter, and (2) reconstructing the distribution of the radioactivity from a series of that used in computed tomography (CT). The nuclides most generally exhibit chemical properties that render them particularly desirable in physiological studies. The radionuclides most widely used in PET are F-18, C-11, O-15 and N-13. Regarding to the number of the current PET Centers worldwide (based on ICP data), more than 300 PET Centers were in operation in 2000. The use of PET technology grew rapidly compared to that in 1992 and 1996, particularly in the USA, which demonstrates a three-fold rise in PET installations. In 2001, 194 PET Centers were operating in the USA. In 1994, two clinical and research-oriented PET Centers at Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center, was established as the first dedicated PET and Cyclotron machines in Korea, followed by two more PET facilities at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Ajou Medical Center, Yonsei University Medical Center, National Cancer Center and established their PET Center. Catholic Medical School and Pusan National University Hospital have finalized a plan to install PET machine in 2002, which results in total of nine PET Centers in Korea. Considering annual trends of PET application in four major PET centers in Korea in Asan Medical Center recent six years (from 1995 to 2000), a total of 11,564 patients have been studied every year and the number of PET studies has shown steep growth year upon year. We had 1,020 PET patients in 1995. This number increased to 1,196, 1,756, 2,379, 3,015 and 4,414 in 1996,1997,1998,1999 and 2000, respectively. The application in cardiac disorders is minimal, and among various neuropsychiatric diseases, patients with epilepsy or dementia can benefit from PET studios. Recently, we investigated brain mapping and neuroreceptor works. PET is not a key application for evaluation of the cardiac patients in Korea because of the relatively low incidence of cardiac disease and less costly procedures such as SPECT can now be performed. The changes in the application of PET studios indicate that, initially, brain PET occupied almost 60% in 1995, followed by a gradual decrease in brain application. However, overall PET use in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer was up to 63% in 2000. The current medicare coverage policy in the USA is very important because reimbursement policy is critical for the promotion of PET. In May 1995, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) began covering the PET perfusion study using Rubidium-82, evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule and pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer. As of July 1999, Medicare's coverage policy expanded to include additional indications: evaluation of recurrent colorectal cancer with a rising CEA level, staging of lymphoma and detection of recurrent or metastatic melanoma. In December of 2001, National Coverage decided to expand Medicare reimbursement for broad use in 6 cancers: lung, colorecctal, lymphoma, melanoma, head and neck, and esophageal cancers; for determining revascularization in heart diseases; and for identifying epilepsy patients. In addition, PET coverage is expected to further expand to diseases affecting women, such as breast, ovarian, uterine and vaginal cancers as well as diseases like prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.44-47
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• 2013

Purpose: There are several methods of measuring SUV in PET/CT imaging including $SUV_{bw}$ which uses the body weight, $SUV_{bsa}$ which that uses body surface area and $SUV_{lbm}$ which uses lean body mass. Currently, Seoul National University Hospital uses $SUV_{bw}$ method which minimizes the variability. In this study, we compared and analyzed the correlation between $SUV_{bw}$ and $SUV_{bsa}$ according to patients' body mass index. Materials and Methods: Using Biograph mCT40 (Siemens, Germany), we conducted $^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT imaging on 70 patients (41 males, 29 females; ages $58.04{\pm}12.44$). We classified the patients as underweight (BMI<20), normal weight (20$${\leq_-}$$BMI<25), overweight (25$${\leq_-}$$BMI<30), obese (30$${\leq_-}$$BMI<35) and severely obese (35$${\leq_-}$$BMI) according to the patient's sex, age and BIM. Then, bone, liver and lungs were set as ROI for calculation of maximum values of $SUV_{bw}$ and $SUV_{bsa}$, through Syngo.via VA11A analysis program. Results: Comparing the five groups divided according to the BMI by the standard differences between $SUV_{bw}$ to $SUV_{bsa}$, $SUV_{max}$ was measured to be $0.66{\pm}0.15$, $0.78{\pm}0.35$, $0.77{\pm}0.21$, $1.00{\pm}0.44$, $1.53{\pm}0.38$ for bones in underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese and severely obese groups, respectively. For liver, values of $SUV_{max}$ were $1.64{\pm}0.16$, $2.06{\pm}0.34$, $2.19{\pm}0.21$, $2.52{\pm}0.21$ and $2.74{\pm}0.40$ in the same order. And for lung, values of $SUV_{max}$ were $0.69{\pm}0.33$, $0.54{\pm}0.17$, $0.62{\pm}0.23$, $0.83{\pm0.29}$, $1.03{\pm}0.30$. Conclusion: By comparing and analyzing the differences between $SUV_{bw}$ and $SUV_{bsa}$ in this study, it was found that the differences between $SUV_{bw}$ and $SUV_{bsa}$ increased as patient's BMI increased. Thus, there is room for error in the values of SUV depending on the methods of calculations, and appropriate methods must be applied according to the circumstances in clinical settings.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2005

This study was conducted to effect a complex fertilizer treatment on a recovery of damaged turfgrass caused by competing with tree at area under trees, and to seek for effective management system on damaged areas under trees in golf courses. Available phosphorous and potassium were enough to grow up turfgrass in plots of East valley and Ji San Golf Club. But these plots were acid soil ranged from pH 5.3 to pH 5.5, so that lime fertilizer was required for improving the chemical of soil. The effect on complex fertilizer showed significant f3r the recovery of damaged turfgrass. Turfgrass recovery ratio by complex fertilizer was better in low-density(LD) section of fertilizer than in high-density(HD) section of control. As the result of surveying turfgrass characters according to dates, dry matters in HD sections of control plots were higher than these in LD sections of fertilizer plots in 6 Aug. before sprinkling a complex fertilizer. But dry matters in LD section of fertilizer were, on the contrary, higher than in 6 Sep. after sprinkling complex fertilizer. In view of the result so far conducted, a turfgrass recovery to LD sections of complex fertilizer was batter than that of HD sections of control. Sprinkling complex fertilizer on turfgrass damaged by competing with trees will maintain the turfgrass growth, even though happen to compete between trees and turfgrass.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.351-367
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• 1995

The elemental geochemistry and oxygen isotopes of illite/smectite (I/S) have been studied in relationship to the mineralogical trend in the Reindeer D-27 well, Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin. The increase in concentrations of $K_2O$, Rb and rare earth elements (REE), the decrease in concentrations of tetrahedral elements such as Mg, Ti, Sc, Zn and Zr, and the increase in concentrations of tetrahedral elements such as Be and V can be related to I/S compositions that vary systematically with depth. Layer formulae of S- and I-layers are estimated as $[Al_{1.57}Fe_{.19}Mg_{.31}Ti_{.07}][Si_{3.84}Al_{.16}]O_{10}(OH)_2$ and $[Al_{1.84}Mg_{.16}][Si_{3.33}Al_{.67}]O_{10}(OH)_2$, respectively. The mobilization of REE appears to occur during illitization. The increase in concentrations of REE, especially La and Ce, with depth is probably linked to incorporation of ions with high valency (e.g. $V^{5+}$) in tetrahedral sites. The excess valency due to V is partly counter-balanced by ions with low valency (e.g. $Be^{2+}$) and, in turn, the local valency deficiency caused by $Be^{2+}$ could be compensated by high-charge interlayer cations such as REE (＋3). ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of I/S range from 2.91 to 15.72‰ (SMOW), and increase with depth, contrasting to trends observed in the Gulf Coast and elsewhere. The increase in ${\delta}^{18}O$ of I/S results from the rapid increase in ${\delta}^{18}O$ of pore water that overcomes the decrease in temperature-dependent fractionation values with increasing burial depth (${\delta}^{18}O_{pore\;water}>-d{\Delta}/_{I/S-water};\;d{\delta}^{18}O_{I/S}>0$). Calculated ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of pore water in equilibrium with I/S suggest that the original water was probably meteoric water. The stratification of pore water is postulated from the presence of an isotopically light interval, about 450m thick. The depth range of the isotopically light zone overlaps, but does not coincide with the interval of lowered I-content and $K_2O$ concentrations, suggesting that oxygens may have been exchanged independently of mineralogical and geochemical reactions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2009

Objective: In this study, the differences between two reconstruction methods were analyzed by comparing image uniformity and contrast according to Iteration and Subset, which were altered through the Iterative method and True X method, used in Siemens' PET/CT studies. Methods: The Phantom images were obtained by exposure for two minutes per one bed. To determine the image uniformity, the Coefficient of variance was used. Also, in order to compare the contrast value, we measured and analyzed the ratio of the SUV mean of Phantom image's hot spheres and the background. Results: Under the same reconstruction conditions (Iteration and Subset) of CV, the Iterative method was higher than the True X method. In the comparison of the SUV mean ratio of the background and hot sphere, the True X method had a closer rate than the Iterative method. Conclusion: The newly developed True X reconstruction method is better than the previously used Iterative method in terms of uniformity and contrast. However, the date for this study was only obtained using the Phantom device. In order to obtain more accurate and useful information from the experiment, further research should be conducted. Also, it is necessary to find the appropriate standards for Iteration and Subset for further experimentation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2005

The objective of this study was carried out investigate the changes of carcass characteristics, physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition in crossbred pigs (Korean native breed ${\times}$ Landrace breed) by backfat thickness. A total 182 Pigs were divided into 3 groups by there backfat thickness, i.e., <11.80mm, $11.80\~25.01mm\;and\;25.01mm<.$ The live weight carcass weight and dressing percent of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11,80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm group, but the final grade were lower. The pH of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. Shear lone of 25.01 mm< group were lower than that of other groups. Water, crude fat content and cooking loss have no difference between the 3 groups. The hardness of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. The yellowness $(b^*)$ of meat and fat color in backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were lower compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. The stearic acid and saturated fatty acid content were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group but the linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acid content were lower.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.284-289
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of copper and zinc supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and meat and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 72 $(Landrace{\times}Yorkshire{\times}Duroc)$ pigs (58.47 kg initial BW) were assigned to 6 treatments in a $2{\times}3$ factorial design $(Zn\;levels{\times}Cu\;levels)$. The sources of zinc and copper were Zn-methionine chelate and Cu-methionine chelate, respectively. Zinc levels used were 80 and 120 ppm and copper levels used were 10, 30 and 60 ppm. Throughout the entire experimental period, the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were not significantly affected by Cu or Zn levels, or their relative levels. The G:F ratio was significantly affected by the relative levels of Cu and Zn (p<0.05), specifically at 30 ppm Cu and 120 ppm Zn. Dry matter digestibility was significantly affected by the levels of Cu (p<0.02), Zn (p<0.01) and the relative levels of each (p<0.04), in particular at 30 ppm Cu and 120 ppm Zn. Nitrogen digestibility was significantly affected by Zn levels (p<0.01) and the combination of 30 ppm Cu and 120 ppm Zn (p<0.03). The $L^*-value$, shear force, cooking loss and pH were not significantly affected by Cu levels, Zn levels or their combination. The $a^*- (p<0.04)\;and\;b^*- values (p<0.01)$ were significantly affected by Zn levels at 80 ppm. The Water hoding capacity was significantly affected by Cu and Zn in combination (p<0.01) at 10 ppm Cu and 120ppm Zn. The carcass weight, backfat thickness and carcass grade were not significantly affected by Cu levels, Zn levels or their relative levels. The carcass percentage was significantly affected by the combination (p<0.04) of 30ppm Cu and 120ppm Zn. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of Cu and Zn at 30 and 120 ppm, respectively, is effective for feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility and carcass percentage, while at the levels of Cu at 10 ppm and Zn at 120 ppm have effects on WHC.