• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.412-420
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• 2000

Background : There is increasing concern in many countries about the problem of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Prevalence of primary drug-resistant tuberculosis is the optimal epidemiological indicator for long term monitoring of national tuberculosis control program. Our purpose was The purpose of our study is to assess clinical characteristics and socioeconomic status of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis. Method : We studied 68 cases with drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection diagnosed at the Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from March, 1995 to February, 2000. Results : Patients with primary drug-resistant tuberculosis(PDR) were younger (39.6$\pm$16.3 years vs. 48.2$\pm$16.5 years ; p<0.05), had more population of less than more were under the age of 40 years aged -group(62.9% vs. 36.4% ; p<0.05) and were more highly educated than those with acquired drug-resistant tuberculosis(ADR)(38.9% vs. 11.1% ; p<0.05). In patients with ADR, the rates of familial history of tuberculosis and living in a rented house residence in a rented house were increased higher than compared with to those of patients with PDR. Patients with ADR had more involved lobes(2.0$\pm$0.8 vs. 1.4$\pm$0.7 ; p<0.01) and longer treatment duration than those with PDR(18.3$\pm$7.2 months vs. 10.6$\pm$6.3 months ; p<0.05). Patients with ADR showed larger numbers of resistant were resistant to more number of drugs, lower hospitalization rate and higher rate of self-interruption of medication than those with PDR. In patients with PDR, mono-drug resistance was increased, whereas poly- and multi-drug resistances were decreased compared with those with ADR. Resistance to isoniazid was the highest among antituberculosis drugs, and resistance to isoniazid in patients with ADR was higher than that in patients with PDR(90.9% vs. 71.4% ; p<0.05). Conclusions : Patients with ADR were more likely to include more population be of lower socioeconomic class, and patients with PDR seem seemed to be young and socially active population. For control of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, proper isolation and prevention of patient with drug-resistant tuberculosis are needed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2009

Background: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is characterized by a proliferation of Langerhans cells and this results in granulomas that involve multiple organs of the body. Because the incidence of PLCH is very low in Korea and worldwide, collecting the clinical data of patients with PLCH nationwide is needed to determine the clinical features of Korean patients with PLCH. Methods: The patients with PLCH confirmed by biopsy at any body site were included and the patients should have lung lesions present. A questionnaire that had items on the symptoms, lung function tests, the roentgenographic findings and the treatment was collected retrospectively at a Korean ILD Research Meeting. Results: A total of 56 cases were collected. The number of males and females was 48 and 8, respectively, and their median age was 43 years (range: 18-67 years). The patients were current or ex-smokers in 79% of the cases. The most frequent symptom was coughing (39%), followed in decreasing order by dyspnea (38%), sputum (20%) and chest pain (20%). Pneumothorax was observed in 16 (29%) patients. Lung function tests showed a normal, restrictive, mixed or obstructive pattern in 26 (61%), 7 (16%), 7 (16%) and 3 patients (7%), respectively. Nodular-cystic lesion was most frequently observed in 59% of the patients on HRCT. The lung lesions were located in the middle and upper lobes in almost the cases. The median follow-up period was 90 months (range: 1-180 months) and only two patients died during this period. Conclusion: This study provides a national survey of the patients with PLCH during a long follow-up period.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2009

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), became an attractive therapeutic option for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies suggested that there might be some different efficacy or response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and erlotinib in Korean patients with advanced NSCLC and evaluated specific predictors of response for both gefitinib and erlotinib. Methods: We collected the clinical information on patients with advanced NSCLC, who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib at the Ewha Womans University Hospital, between July 2003 and February 2009. Median survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Eighty-six patients (52 gefitinib vs. 34 erlotinib) were enrolled. Patient median age was 64 years; 53 (62%) subjects were male. Out of the 86 patients treated, 83 received response evaluation. Of the 83 patients, 35 achieved a response and 12 experienced stable disease while 36 experienced progressive disease, resulting in a response rate of 42% and a disease control rate of 57%. After a median follow-up of 502 days, the median progression-free and overall survival time was 129 and 259 days, respectively. Comparing patients by treatment (gefitinib vs erlotinib), there were no significant differences in the overall response rate (44% vs. 39%, p=0.678), median survival time (301 days vs. 202 days, p=0.151), or time to progression (136 days vs. 92 days, p=0.672). Both EGFR-TKIs showed similar toxicity. In a multivariate analysis using Cox regression model, adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor of survival (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.292-0.811). Analyses of subgroups did not show any difference in response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. Conclusion: Comparing gefitinib to erlotinib, there were no differences in the response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, or toxicity. No specific predictor of response to each EGFR-TKI was identified.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.3
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• pp.434-442
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• 2015

The process of cultivation and production of oak mushroom (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler) on sawdust surface beds were investigated. Sawdust surface bed cultivation is the method by which oak mushrooms are cultured and produced on sterilized sawdust surface bed without using bags. The bed was made by inoculating with 3 to 1 ratio of bed sawdust to oak mushroom mycelial inoculum. The sawdust bed medium with 65% water content was pasteurized at $65^{\circ}C$, inoculated with sawdust spawn and spread on the surface on vinyl film in cultivation shed. During 78 days of cultivation period, water content in the medium varied from 61 to 72%, its pH decreased from 5.6 to 3.9~4.6 and ergosterol concentration increased to $0.33{\sim}0.59{\mu}g/g$. $CO_2$ concentration in the medium rapidly increased to 8.06% in two weeks. In seven weeks the medium surface started browning and $CO_2$ concentration increased to about 5.63%. Until 11th week the $CO_2$ concentration was maintained at 6~7%. After removing the plastic cover on the bed for ventilation in 12 weeks, $CO_2$ within the bed reduced dramatically to 1.5%. In the cultivation shed the internal temperature was $7.1{\sim}29^{\circ}C$ and humidity was 27.3 to 100%, while bed temperature ranged $11.6{\sim}30^{\circ}C$. Oak mushroom fruiting started from late July, in 120 days after bed establishment in late March and continued for approximately 100 days until early December with eight cycles of irrigation treatment. The mushroom yield of the eight cycles were 288~352 kg during the 1st (7/29~8/4) to 3rd cycle (9/3~9/7), 800 kg at the 4th cycle (9/19~9/24), 1,296~1,853 kg during 5th (10/3~10/8) to 7th cycle (4.11~11/9) and 990 kg at 8th cycle (11/23~12/7). Total production was approximately 7.4 tons from 33.0 tons of oak sawdust medium, thus harvest efficiency of the mushroom production was approximately 22.4%.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.324-329
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• 2009

Purpose : Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a rare disease, but its prognosis is fatal because of lack of efficient treatment modality. Recently, it has been reported that there was epidemic AIP in Korea. This study aims to investigate the past and current status of AIP in Korea. Methods : We performed a nationwide survey and a prospective study. From August 6 to 15, 2008, a questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the prevalence, local distribution, and response to current treatments. The questionnaire was answered by pediatrician working in 23 referral centers in Korea. In addition, 5 referral centers in Seoul performed a preliminary prospective observational study by obtaining clinical data and specimens from appropriate patients. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed the samples for possible pathogens. Results : The survey showed 78 AIP cases had occurred and 36 patients had died. Lung biopsy was performed only on 20 patients. In 2008, 9 AIP cases developed. In a prospective study, 9 (M:F=5:4) patients developed AIP in spring and 7 (78%) died, with the mean rate of death occurring 46 days after diagnosis. Human corona virus 229E, cytomegalovirus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, and parainfluenza virus were isolated from the respiratory specimens. Conclusion : This study showed nationwide prevalence of AIP in Korea. In addition, because of the high mortality rate and rapid progress, pediatricians need to be aware of the disease. Further studies and a nationwide network are required for reducing the morbidity and mortality rates related to AIP.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.72-81
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to verify whether SCB(Slurry Composting & Bio-filtration) system can be applied for the treatment of anaerobic digestion(AD) wastewater and also, to identify the most effective set among three filtration compost beds tested. Results can be summarized as these; (a) When AD wastewater was sprayed on the top of beds which were mainly composed of sawdust and/or other media and, subsequently, filtrates collected and analyzed, there were large drop in the values of Electric Conductivity(EC), Total Suspended Solid(TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand(BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD). In contrast, Total Nitrgen(T-N) and Total Phosphorus(T-P) were progressively elevated. We consider these changes as positive if the filtrate are to be utilized as liquid fertilizer. (b) When three sets of filtration beds (T1, T2, T3) were compared for their effectiveness, no significant difference was found among them. These indicate that expensive sawdust can be replaced in part with cheaper media such as woodchip, rice husks, or others. (c) At early stage of operation (within 20 days), BOD in filtrates were maintained at high level probably due to the lack of microbial activity. During the same stage, T-N, T-P was at low level but, were elevated to higher levels thereafter. These data, when combined, indicate that the filtration system needs at least a couple of weeks for the optimized microbial functioning. (d) The temperatures of the experimental beds were progressively dropped as the experiment continued through the fall season, although filtration effectiveness was not noticeably influenced.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.33 no.3 s.98
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• pp.199-210
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• 2003

Tooth movement is the result of bone metabolism in the periodontium, where various cytokines take important roles. Interleukin-6(II-6) and nitrous oxide (NO) were reported to be secreted from osteoblasts in the process of bone resorption. The mechanism of the process has not been clearly understood, but the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was known to be an important process in the release of the inflammatory cytotines in macrophages. In this regard, to prove the role of MAPK in the release of IL-6 and NO in MC3T3E-1 osteoblasts, Northern blot analysis, Western blot analysis and immune complex kinase assay were used. As a result, the treatment of MC3T3E-1 osteoblast cultures with combined $interferon-\gamma(IFN-\gamma)$, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha(TNF-\alpha)$ induces expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-6, resulting in sustained releases of large amounts of NO and IL-6. However, $IFN-\gamma,\;LPS,\;and\;TNF-\alpha$ individually induce a non-detectable or small amount of NO and IL-6 in MC3T3E-1 osteoblasts. The role of MAPK activation in the early intracellular signal transduction involved in iNOS and IL-6 transcription in the combined agents-stimulated osteoblasts has been investigated. The p38 MAPK pathway is specifically involved in the combined agents-induced NO and IL-6 release, since NO and IL-6 release in the presence of a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-metylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-metylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole) (SB203580), were significantly diminished. In contrast, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK1, had no effect on NO and IL-6 release. Northern blot analysis showed that the p3a MAPK pathway controlled the iNOS and IL-6 transcription level. These data suggest that p38 MAPK play an important role in the secretion of NO and IL-6 in $LPS/IFN{\gamma}-or\;TNF-\gamma-treated\;MC3T3E-1$ osteoblasts.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2014

Purpose: Elevated serum phosphorus and potassium levels are a major problem for hemodialysis (HD) patients. Hyperphosphatemia and hyperkalemia are closely related to intake of dietary phosphorus and potassium. Methods: This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of food consumed on serum phosphorus and potassium levels in 48 HD patients (20 males and 28 females). We collected anthropometric data, biochemical parameters, and dietary data of the subjects. Dietary data for usual intake were obtained by use of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) consisting of 21 food items. Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) was $22.2{\pm}3.0kg/m^2$, mean serum phosphorus level was $4.50{\pm}1.52mg/dl$, and mean serum potassium level was $4.74{\pm}0.73mEq/l$. Hyperphosphatemia (> 4.5 mg/dl) was found in 45.8% of subjects, and hyperkalemia (> 5.0 mEq/l) in 35.4%. Subjects who took medication only were 56% of total, and those who took medication with dietary therapy were 27%. Patients with medication and dietary therapy showed significantly lower serum phosphorus levels compared to patients with medication only (p < 0.05). Mean duration of HD was $7.9{\pm}7.3$ years and it showed positive correlation with serum potassium levels (p < 0.05). Serum phosphorus levels showed positive correlation with intake of mixed grains and soybean milk (p < 0.05). Serum potassium levels showed positive correlation with intake of mixed grains (p < 0.01), potatoes, fish, and high-potassium vegetables (p < 0.05). On the other hand, intake of white rice showed negative correlation with serum potassium levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that intake of white rice rather than mixed grains is an important factor in sustaining normal serum phosphorus and potassium levels. In addition, limiting intake of soybean milk, potatoes, and fish to under three serving per week is recommended. Finally, conduct of a strict dietary therapy along with medical treatment is desirable because inappropriate food intake increases serum phosphorus and potassium levels to a higher than normal range.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.105-112
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• 2009

This study has attempted to facilitate various new technologies related to indoor containers and develop a desirable planting environment after investigating the growth (including root growth) of shade-tolerant landscape plants under slit processing, a natural indoor ventilation system. The following results were found: In terms of the shoot growth of Fatsia japonica in a slit container, no distinctive difference was observed in comparison with the control group. However, growth was good when the container 250mm tall or taller. Therefore, it was verified that optical soil depth is more important than slit processing in shoot growth of Fatsia japonica. In Fatsia japonica root length was observed as follows: Control 2(250mm) > Slit 2(250mm) > Control 1(195mm) > Slit 3(360mm) > Control 3(360mm) > Slit 1(195mm). The largest growth was observed in Control 2(250mm), which had no slit processing. In term of root width, this was lower than the initial value in all groups, which means that the root grew vertically, not horizontally. In terms of plant height of Ophiopogon japonicus, a gradual increase was observed in the control group that had no slit processing. No significant growth was detected in the slit system, however. In terms of shoot number, slit containers were generally higher than the control group. In terms of fresh and dry weights, on the contrary, slit containers were mostly lower than the control group. In Ophiopogon japonicus, root length was observed as follows: Slit 2(250mm) > Slit 1(195mm) > Control 2(250mm) > Control 3(360mm) > Slit 3(360mm) > Control 1(195mm). In Ardisia japonica, slit containers were mostly greater than control group in terms of plant height. The greatest plant height was observed at Slit 2(250mm) instead of Slit 1(195mm) and Slit 3(360mm). Except for plant height and shoot number, however, no significant shoot and root growth was observed. Root length was observed as follows: Slit 2(250mm) > Slit 3(360mm) > Control 3(360mm) > Slit 1(195mm) > Control 2(250mm) > Control 1(195mm). Therefore, root length in slit containers was mostly greater than in the control group. The width of root, however, declined in general.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1545-1552
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• 2005

Sanguisorba officinalis L. has been used as a traditional remedy for arthritis, neuralgia, diarrhea, vomiting, gastric ulcer and gastro-intestinal disorders. This study was performed to investigate the protective effects of ethylacetate fraction of Sanguisorba officinalis L. ethanol extract (SOE) on the gastric mucosal damage and gastric ulcer induced by HCI-ethanol, indomethacin, Shay-ligation method, restraint and water-immersion stress, and cysteamine in rats. The experiment animals were divided into four groups: a negative control group (CON), positive control group (cimetidine 100 mg/kg-CMT or omeprazol 100 mg/kg administrated group-OMT), SOE 200 mg/kg administrated group (SOL) and SOE 400 mg/kg administrated group (SOH), respectively. Rats were given an oral or intraduodenal administration of SOE, and all SOE treatment groups compared with the CON significantly inhibited HCI-ethanol-induced acute gastritis and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in dose-dependent manner, of which effects were lower in a positive control drug (CMT). The inhibition rates ($\%$) on the acute gastritis induced by HCI-ethanol and the gastric ulcers induced by indomethacin in rats, 17.66$\%$ and 48.28$\%$ in SOL, 21.71$\%$, and 51.08$\%$ in SOH, and 47.26$\%$ and 58.26$\%$ in CMT compared with CON, respectively, In pylorus ligated rats, the groups of SOE showed decreases in the volume of gastric secretion and acid output. However, no significant differences were observed in the pepsin activity between treated groups . In addition, SOH also depressed gastric ulcers induced by restraint and water-immersion stress and duodenal ulcers induced by cysteamine. These results suggest that Sanguisorba officinalis L. has remarkable antigastric ulcer effects and could be developed as a new antigastric ulcer agents.