• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2008

We developed a high-resolution micro-CT system based on rotational gantry and flat-panel detector for live mouse imaging. This system is composed primarily of an x-ray source with micro-focal spot size, a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) flat panel detector coupled with Csl (TI) (thallium-doped cesium iodide) scintillator, a linearly moving couch, a rotational gantry coupled with positioning encoder, and a parallel processing system for image data. This system was designed to be of the gantry-rotation type which has several advantages in obtaining CT images of live mice, namely, the relative ease of minimizing the motion artifact of the mice and the capability of administering respiratory anesthesia during scanning. We evaluated the spatial resolution, image contrast, and uniformity of the CT system using CT phantoms. As the results, the spatial resolution of the system was approximately the 11.3 cycles/mm at 10% of the MTF curve, and the radiation dose to the mice was 81.5 mGy. The minimal resolving contrast was found to be less than 46 CT numbers on low-contrast phantom imaging test. We found that the image non-uniformity was approximately 70 CT numbers at a voxel size of ${\sim}55{\times}55{\times}X100\;{\mu}^3$. We present the image test results of the skull and lung, and body of the live mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2009

Purpose : Febrile convulsions are classified into simple or complex types, the latter being characterized by increased risk of recurrence and progression to epilepsy. This study aimed to delineate the clinical characteristics of complex febrile convulsions. Methods : Between January 2003 and December 2006, 550 children were diagnosed with febrile convulsions at the Department of Pediatrics, Ilsan Paik Hospital. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed for comparison between simple and complex febrile convulsions, and clinical findings of complex febrile convulsions were clarified. Results : Our subjects comprised a male-to-female ratio of 1.64:1; the age range was from 8 months to 8 years. Simple febrile convulsions comprised 432 cases, i.e., 4 times as many as complex febrile convulsions (118 cases). The causes of febrile illness included acute pharyngotonsillitis (357 cases, 64.9%), pneumonia (55 cases, 10.0%), acute gastroenteritis (37 cases, 6.7%), and otitis media (20 cases, 3.6%). We did not find any significant difference between simple and complex febrile convulsions in most clinical parameters such as gender, age, family history of febrile convulsions, and cause of febrile illness. Regarding subtypes of complex febrile convulsions, repeated convulsions were the most frequent (72.0%), followed by prolonged convulsions (16.9%) and focal convulsions (5.1%). Conclusion : We have reported here the clinical features of complex febrile convulsions. Although the results did not show any significant difference between simple and complex febrile convulsions in most clinical parameters such as gender, age, family history of febrile convulsion, and cause of febrile illness, further studies are essential to delineate complex febrile convulsions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2012

Polyamines are essential for cell growth and differentiation; however their precise roles are unclear yet. In the present study, the cytotoxic effect of spermine (spm) on MCF-7 cells was investigated. In the MTT assay of MCF-7 cells treated with spm, cell viability was significantly decreased in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Cell viability measurement was confirmed by trypan blue staining. FACS analysis shows that sub-G1 was increased in a time-and dose-dependent manner too. When the cells were treated with spm, cells started to show morphological changes within 2 hrs. The expression of adhesion proteins (FAK and integrin ${\beta}1$), and cytoskeletal protein (actin) was checked by Western blotting analysis. Integrin ${\beta}1$ levels were slightly decreased, and FAK and actin levels were rapidly decreased with spm treatment. In confocal laser scanning microscopy, the distribution of actin did not change but the expression decreased in a dose-dependent manner with spm treatment. FAK was evenly distributed under the plasma membrane in the untreated control. However, at 10 ${\mu}M$ spm FAK seemed to move toward the cell nucleus. Integrin ${\beta}1$, which was mainly found in the focal point of the plasma membrane in the untreated control, dispersed through the entire plasma membrane in spm treatment. The present results indicate that cytotoxic effects of spm are triggered by the disruption of adhesion proteins and cytoskeletal protein.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2011

Purpose: Microfracture has been used as a first-line treatment to repair articular cartilage defects. In this study, a new technique using an extracelluar matrix biomembrane to cover the cartilage lesions after microfracture was evaluated in terms of cartilage repairability and clinical outcome compared with conventional microfracture technique in a prospective randomized trial. Materials and Methods: A total of 53 patients (59 cases) without osteoarthritis who had focal full thickness articular cartilage lesions were randomly assigned in two group. Seventeen patients (17 cases) underwent conventional microfracture procedure (control group) and thirty-six patients (42 cases) received microfracture and placing biomembrane cover (ArtiFilm$^{TM}$) concomitantly (experimental group). Clinical assessment was done through 6 months postoperatively using the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee IKDC questionnaire, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 6 months after the operation in all patients. Results: In clinical outcomes, the significant difference was observed between both groups in IKDC, but not in VAS for pain and for satisfaction (final outcomes of IKDC, p=0.001; VAS for pain, p=0.074; VAS for satisfaction, p=0.194). The MRI showed good to complete defect fill (67 to 100%) in 33 patients (78.6%) of experimental group and 4 patients (23.5%) of control group, respectively. In control group, 9 of 17 patients (52.9%) showed poor defect fill (less than 33%), whereas 5 (11.9%) in experimental group (p=0.001). Assessment of peripheral integration revealed no gap formation in 35 patients (83.3%) in experimental group and 6 patients (35.3%) in control group (p=0.001). No serious complications or adverse effects related to the biomembrane were found. Conclusion: Good short-term follow-up clinical results were obtained in the group whose cartilage defects in the knee joint were covered with biomembrane after the microfracture, with the MRI findings confirming the excellent regeneration of the defective cartilage area. This suggests that the surgery to cover the defective area with biomembrane (ArtiFilm$^{TM}$) after the microfracture procedure is a safe, more effective treatment to induce cartilage regeneration.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.51-52
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• 2017

"Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture" means any genetic material of plant origin of actual or potential value for food and agriculture. "Genetic material" means any material of plant origin, including reproductive and vegetative propagating material, containing functional units of heredity. (Internal Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, ITPGRFA). The "Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (shortly Nagoya Protocol)" is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol on ABS was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and entered into force on 12 October 2014, 90 days after the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification. Its objective is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Nagoya Protocol will create greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources by; (a) Establishing more predictable conditions for access to genetic resources and (b) Helping to ensure benefit-sharing when genetic resources leave the country providing the genetic resources. By helping to ensure benefit-sharing, the Nagoya Protocol creates incentives to conserve and sustainably use genetic resources, and therefore enhances the contribution of biodiversity to development and human well-being. The Nagoya Protocol's success will require effective implementation at the domestic level. A range of tools and mechanisms provided by the Nagoya Protocol will assist contracting Parties including; (a) Establishing national focal points (NFPs) and competent national authorities (CNAs) to serve as contact points for information, grant access or cooperate on issues of compliance, (b) An Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House to share information, such as domestic regulatory ABS requirements or information on NFPs and CNAs, (c) Capacity-building to support key aspects of implementation. Based on a country's self-assessment of national needs and priorities, this can include capacity to develop domestic ABS legislation to implement the Nagoya Protocol, to negotiate MAT and to develop in-country research capability and institutions, (d) Awareness-raising, (e) Technology Transfer, (f) Targeted financial support for capacity-building and development initiatives through the Nagoya Protocol's financial mechanism, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Nagoya Protocol). The Rural Development Administration (RDA) leading to conduct management agricultural genetic resources following the 'ACT ON THE PRESERVATION, MANAGEMENT AND USE OF AGRO-FISHERY BIO-RESOURCES' established on 2007. According to $2^{nd}$ clause of Article 14 (Designation, Operation, etc. of Agencies Responsible for Agro-Fishery Bioresources) of the act, the duties endowed are, (a) Matters concerning securing, preservation, management, and use of agro-fishery bioresources; (b) Establishment of an integrated information system for agro-fishery bioresources; (c) Matters concerning medium and long-term preservation of, and research on, agro-fishery bioresources; (d) Matters concerning international cooperation for agro-fishery bioresources and other relevant matters. As the result the RDA manage about 246,000 accessions of plant genetic resources under the national management system at the end of 2016.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1999

Purpose: Up to date there is no nationwide survey on epidemiological or clinical data of nephrotic syndrome, so we investigated about age of onset, sex, result of renal biopsy, treatment method, its results of treatment, its responsiveness, time of response to treatment and pattern of relapse in Korea. Methods: Between 1987 and 1997, 2193 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome diagnosed at 38 university hospital and general hospital in Korea were included. Of these 1655 were male and 538 were female. Incidence peaked at 1-5 years of age. Results: Results were as follows; 1) Among 2193 cases, male was 1655($75.5\%$), female was 538 cases($24.5\%$) and male to female ratio was about 3:1. Among 1752 patients with MCNS, male was 1338, female was 414 and male to female ratio was about 3.23:1. The most prevalent age group was 1-5 years of age. 2) Renal biopsy was done in 942 cases($43\%$), pathologic findings were as follows; MCNS 646 cases($68.6\%$), FSCS 149 cases($15.8\%$). 3) Regimen of treatment were as follows; prednisolone 1191 cases, Calcort 192 cases, cyclophosphamide 251 cases, cyclosporin A 223 cases, MPD pulse therapy 120 cases.4) Complete response to treatment were noted in 1597 cases($82.2\%$, n=1944). 5) Responsiveness according to result of renal biopsy were significantly different between MCNS and FSGS. Complete response were noted in $86.5\%$ among patients with MCNS, $35.8\%$ in patients with FSGS. 6) Time of response to treatment were noted between 1 and 4 weeks after treatment in 879 cases($67.4\%$, n=1305). 7) 994 cases($73.1\%$) relapsed during follow up, most frequently between 2 months and 6 months after response. Conclusion : Nationwide survey of epidemiological and clinical data were performed in childhood primary nephrotic syndrome. Most of the clinical and epidemiological data were similar to other reports from U.S.A. and from Europe, however male to female ratio is higher in Korean nephrotic syndrome(3:1 in contrast to 2:1).

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.4-12
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• 1997

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical manifestations of various glomerulonephritis (GN) in children, a clinicopathological anlysis of 310 biopsied cases were performed. Method: We conducted retrospective study with review of histopathologic findings and clinical manifestations of the 310 cases diagnosed as glomerulonephritis by percutaneous renal biopsy which were done between January 1986 and December 1996 at department of pediatrics, Pusan Paik hospital. Results: 1) Male to female ratio was 1.54:1 and the range of age was from 13 months to 15 years 10 months. 2) Among these, 217 (70.0%) patients were belong to primary GN and 93 (30.0%) patients were belong to secondary GN. As a whole, the most common pathologic diagnosis was minimal change lesion (MC, 32.6%), which was followed by IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 15.8%), $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ purpura nephritis (HSPN, 13.5%), Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSAGN, 8.1%). 3) Clinical manifestations of patients were asymptomatic urinary abnormality (43.2%), nephrotic syndrome (41.0%), acute glomerulonephritis (14.2%), chronic glomerulonephritis (1.0%), rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (0.6%). 4) In primary GN, the most common pathologic diagnosis was MC (46.5%), IgAN (22.6%), thin glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease (7.8%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN, 5.5%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MesPGN,4.6%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, 4.6%), membranous nephropathy (MN, 0.9%), sclerosing glomerulonephritis (SCGN, 0.9%), crescentic glomerulonephritis (CreGN, 0.5%) and non-specific glomerulonephritis (NonspGN, 6.0%). 5) Major causes of secondary GN were HSPN (45.2%), PSAGN (26.9%), hepatitis B associated glomerulonephritis (HBGN, 17.2%), lupus nephritis (LN, 6.5%), Alport syndrome (2.2%), hemolytic uremic syndrome (1.0%), fibrillary glomerulonephritis (1.0%) in descending order. Conclusions: There are some differences of the results of clinicopathological stuidies of glomerulonephritis in children because of its different indications of renal biopsy, pathologic classification of renal disease and methods of analysis among investigators. In order to establish more reliable data of incidence and classification of childhood glomerulonephritis in Korea, multicenter cooperative study were necessary.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2007

Purpose : To analyze the clinical characteristics, spontaneous resolution rate and predictive factors of resolution in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux(VUR). Methods : Between October 1991 and July 2003, 149 children diagnosed with primary VUR at Chonbuk National University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. All of the patients were maintained on low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis and underwent radionuclide cystograms at 1 year intervals over 3 years after the initial diagnosis of VUR by voiding cystourethrogram was made. Results : The median time to resolution of VUR was 24 months and the total 3 year-cumulative resolution rate of VUR was 61.7%. The following variables were associated with resolution of VUR according to univariate analysis-; age<1 year, male gender, mild grade of reflux, unilateral reflux, congenital hydronephrosis as clinical presentation at time of diagnosis of VUR, absence of focal defects in the renal scan at diagnosis, absence of recurrent UTI, renal scars and small kidney during follow-up. After adjustment by Cox regression model, five variables remained as independent predictors of VUR resolution; age<1 yew, relative risk 1.77(P<0.05), VUR grade I+II 2.98(P<0.05), absence of renal scars 2.23(P<0.05), and absence of small kidney 5.20(P<0.01) during follow-up. Conclusion : In this study, spontaneous resolution rate of VUR, even high grade reflux, is high in infants during medical management, and it was related to age, reflux grade at diagnosis, absence of renal scars and small kidney during follow-up. Therefore early surgical intervention should be avoided and reserved for the selected groups.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was to analyze serious bacterial infections in infants younger than three months of age and to review the direction of treatments for these patients. Methods : 378 febrile infants with a rectal temperature ${\geq}38.0^{\circ}C$ visited from Jan. 2001 through Dec. 2002 were retrospectively studied. Infants with the following criteria belonged to the low risk group. WBC $5,000{\sim}15,000/mm^3$, WBC negative in urine stick test and negative for nitirite test, CSF WBC < $10/mm^3$ and negative in CSF gram stain, negative chest X-ray, stool WBC <5/HFP(high power field), and focal infection. If any of the above criteria were not met, they belonged to the high risk group. SBI was defined as a positive culture of urine, blood or CSF. SI was defined as aseptic meningitis or pneumonia including above laboratory tests of SBI. SBI patients were separately compared with two groups, high risk and low risk. Results : Of the 378 infants that were tested 216(57.1%) were in the high risk group and 162(42.9%) in the low risk group. Among 105 SBI(27.8%) and 172 SI(45.5%), there were 98 urinary tract infection(25.2%), 10 bacteremia(2.6%), 2 bacterial meningitis(0.6%), and 77 aseptic meningitis(22.8%). There were 76 SBI(35.2%) from the high risk group and 29 SBI(17.9%) from the low risk group identified. The results of the sensitivity(72.4%), the specificity(48.7%), the negative predictive value(82.1%) and the positive predictive value (35.2%) were calculated. Conclusion : Even though the probability of SBI in the low risk group is insignificant, it should still be considered in febrile infants younger than 3 months of age. I believe the CSF study is necessary because of the moderate high incidence of abnormal finding in our study.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to correlate the imaging findings and the clinical findings in patients with transient splenial lesions (TSL). Materials and Methods: Total of 7 patients (M: F = 4: 3; age range 11 - 38 years, mean age 25.5 years) were studied between November 2006 and April 2011. The MRI findings and clinical findings in all patients were retrospectively reviewed. The location, MR signal intensity, restricted diffusion, enhancement pattern and reversibility from the follow up images were reviewed. Clinical features were reviewed with respect to the presented symptoms, signs, treatment and outcome. Results: The lesions were located in the splenium of corpus callosum in all patients. All lesions showed high signal intensity on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and six patients showed restricted diffusion on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. ADC map was not available in one patient. All lesions (n = 7) showed high signal intensity on the T2 weighted image (T2WI). Five of the patients (71.4%) with follow up images (range 7 - 34 days) showed complete resolution of focal high signal intensity on DWI, with recovery of ADC values as well as T2WI. After contrast media administration, none of the lesions showed any enhancements. All lesions with various etiologies including TB medication were developed in younger age patients and showed reversibility after the acceptable period of minimum 7 days with conservative treatment. Conclusion: All TSL showed nonspecific imaging findings, including restricted diffusion on DWI and ADC map on the initial images. However, reversibility of the lesions and the young age preference can be a characteristic finding of TSL with acceptable period of minimum 7 days. In addition, to keep it in mind that various etiologies including TB medication may cause TSL, is important for radiologists as well as clinicians.