• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.8 no.11
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• pp.210-216
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• 2008

In this study, image comparisons were carried out using a MRI contrast medium which was derived by mixing a polyaminocarboxylic ligand and a gadolinium (III) transition metal which is paramagnetic and has good neutron absorbing capabilities with Gd-DTPA which is currently being used widely in the clinical setting. By using a 1.0T (Harmony, SIEMENS) MR equipment, phantoms of which 100cc of saline was diluted with a diethylenetriaminetriacetic acid derivative and Gd-DTPA were imaged. The amount of diethylenetriaminetriacetic acid and Gd-DTPA which was diluted into the 100cc of saline was 0.05mmol/L, 0.1mmol/L, 0.15mmol/L, 0.2mmol/L, 0.3mmol/L, 0.5mmol/L, 1.0mmol/L, 2.0mmol/L, 3.0mmol/L and 4.9mmol/L respectively. Head coils were used and while fixing the SE pulse sequence and image variable (as TE is 14ms, 1NEX with a 256x201 matrix), the signal intensity and simple contrast ratios according to changing concentrations and TR were compared with various TR at 300ms, 400ms, 500ms, 600ms, 700ms, 800ms, 900ms, 1000ms, 1200ms, 1400ms and 1600ms. According to the comparison results of the signal intensity of the image based on changes in contrast medium concentrations and TR, the differences in signal intensity between the two contrast mediums were found to be small at $1.0{\sim}2.0mmol/L$ when the highest signal intensity was achieved. However, at concentrations of 1.0mmol/L or less, the signal intensity was markedly higher in the Diethylenetriaminetriacetic acid derivative than in the Gd-DTPA complex. It was also found that the differences in the signal intensities demonstrated by the concentrations of the contrast mediums were affected by the TR. Accordingly, the efficacy of the Diethylenetriaminetriacetic acid derivative was shown to be better than the Gd-DTPA and also possible to get the optimum image quality by the use of an appropriate TR with appropriate concentrations of contrast medium.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2010

Nakdong Estuary Delta plays various roles of worldwide habitat for migratory birds and a sand supplier to Haewoondae Beach and Gwanganri, which are tourist attractions of Busan. In this study, long-term topographical changes of Nakdong Estuary (Jinwoo Islet, Sinja Islet, Doyodeung, Dadae Beach) coast were detected and interpreted. Through the analysis of 34 years' satellite images, it was found out that a part in between front side and back side of Jinwoo Islet increased, Sinja Islet was divided into two belts in 1970, and has formed an islet since the 1980s and extended westward. Due to the rapid development of small islets in front of Baekhabdeung since 1990s, Doyodeung formed in the late 1990s and is still growing. To make coastal map of Nakdong Estuary area, 13 images, of which the tide level was $99{\pm}13cm$, from the 112 Landsat images of the period from 1975 to 2009 were selected to section into water zone and land zone using NDV. And the rates of coastal line change such as MATLAB EPR(End Point Rate) and LRR(Linear Regression Rate) were calculated using DSAS 4.0(Digital Shoreline Analysis System). Through detecting topographical changes, EPR showed that the front(south) and back side(north) of Jinwoo Islet moved southward at -0.93~2.56m/yr, and changes in costal line and area of Jinwoo Islet were low and stable. The front and backside of Sinja Islet moved northward at 1~4m/yr, whereas the west side of Sinja Islet was stable at 2~3m/yr and east side of Sinja Islet moved northward at 10m/yr or faster. The front and back side of Doyodeung moved northward at 18~27m/yr, causing the increase of area, while the coastal line of Dadae Beach moved westward at 7m/yr, causing the expansion of the beach. LRR also demonstrated a similar trend to EPR. Although analysis of satellite images and GIS could enabled detection of topographical changes and quantitative analysis of natural phenomena, we found that continuous observation of natural phenomena and various analytical methods are required.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.130-137
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• 2010

Objectives: So far it has been reported that acupuncture increases cerebral blood supply and stimulates the functional activity of brain nerve cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that frequently used electro-acupuncture (EA) therapies for stroke increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in normal volunteers. Though ST 36-ST 41 EA is another prevailing therapy for stroke, there had been no report about its effect on rCBF. This study was to evaluate the effect of ST 36-ST 41 EA on rCBF in normal volunteers using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Methods: In the resting state, $^{99m}Tc$-ECD brain SPECT scans were performed on 10 normal volunteers (5 males, 5 female, mean age $23.6{\pm}0.5$ years). On the other study day, 7 days after the resting examination, 15 minutesEA were applied at ST 36 and ST 41 on the right side of the subjects. Immediately after ST36-ST41 EA, the second SPECT images were obtained in the same manner as the resting state. Significant increases and decreases of rCBF after EA were estimated by comparing their SPECT images with those of the resting state using paired t statistics at every voxel, which were analyzed by SPM with a threshold of p = 0.01, uncorrected (extent threshold: k=100 voxels). Results: EA applied at the right ST36-ST41 significantly increased rCBF in the right inferior parietal lobule (Brodmann area [BA] 40), right retrosubicular area (BA 48), left inferior parietal lobule (BA 40), left middle temporal gyrus (BA 21), left fusiform gyrus (BA 37), left inferior parietal lobule (BA 39), left inferior temporal gyrus (BA 20), and left somatosensory association cortex (BA 7). However, right ST36-ST41 EA significantly decreased rCBF in the right parahippocampal gyrus (BA 35), right cerebellum, left frontopolar area (BA 10), left orbitofrontal area (BA 11), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 9), and left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (BA 32). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that rightST36-ST41 EA increased rCBF prominently in both inferior parietal lobule (BA 40) and right retrosubicular area (BA 48), which suggest that there be correlation between specific EA and corresponding rCBF.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.305-309
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• 2012

Purpose:This study was conducted to research any effect on aided distance visual acuity and refractive error changes by using smartphone at near for long term. Methods: 20($20.6{\pm}0.9$ years) young adults subjects with no ocular diseases, over 0.8 of aided distance visual acuity, normal amplitude of accommodation and normal accommodative facility agreed to participate in this study. The subjects were divided into two group, Group 1 (15 cm fixation distance) included 10 subjects and Group 2(40 cm fixation distance) included 10 subjects. Aided distance visual acuity and refractive error were measured before and after using smartphone for 30 minutes by auto-chart project (CP-1000, Dongyang, Korea), phoropter (VT-20, Dongyang, Korea), auto refractor-keratometer (MRK-3100, Huvitz, Korea). After then, the subjects looked at distance with wearing spectacles. Refractive error was measured at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes later, respectively. Results: After using smartphone at 15 cm for 30 minutes, there was statistically significant reduction of aided distance visual acuity (p=0.030) and increasing myopia (p=0.001). The increased myopia was not statistically significant after 5 minutes rest (p${\geq}$0.464). However there was no statistically significant changes in aided distance visual acuity (p=0.163) and refractive error (p=0.077) after using smartphone at 40 cm for 30 minutes. Conclusions: It is recommend to keep 40 cm off the smartphone from eyes to avoid any aided distance visual acuity and refractive error changes. If smartphone is used closer than 40 cm, a rest for 5 minutes is also recommend after every 30 minutes use with smartphone to avoid any aided distance visual acuity and refractive error changes.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2012

Purpose: One of the critical aspects on dispensing glasses is to match the center of pupils to the optical center of lenses as the mismatched glasses are able to induce uncomfortable effects called prism which has been known to induce phoria, a main cause for asthenopia in many cases. Therefore, we investigated the induced prism occurred by mismatching centers between the center of pupils and the optical center of lenses. Methods: In this study, total 103 subjects were examined whether the center of pupils and the optical center of lenses are matched in horizontal and vertical directions, and then, the data was categorized into 4 groups based on the structural components of glasses. Total amount of prism was compared to show the effect of the glasses frame on the prism induction, and the value of measured prism was compared with the German RAL-RG 915 regulations. Results: The results in respect to the horizontal component showed that the induced prism was not found in 10.7% of total subjects. 73.8% of total subjects were influenced by induced prism, the range of prism was in a tolerance level. However, the 15.5% of total subjects seemed to be influenced by prism which is out of the criterion of tolerance. In case of vertical component, 23.3% of total subjects showed no effects of prism while early adopting glasses, 54.4% of total subjects showed a little prism effect within the criterion of tolerance, and 22.3% of total subjects showed the prism effect out of the tolerance range. This data indicates that group A and B that are less likely adjustable by fitting induce more prism than group C and D in horizontal and vertical components. Conclusions: In higher refractive error condition, it was found that aligning the optical center of lenses with the center of pupils by pre-fitting of glasses frame minimized prism induction in horizontal and vertical components, which ameliorates ocular fatigue. Therefore, appropriate optometric dispensing through fitting by opticians and precise design about monocular PD and monocular Oh are necessary to improve visual perception.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.255-264
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• 2012

Purpose: In this study, the effect of lens fitting status on the contact area between spherical/aspherical RGP lens and the cornea having different astigmatic degree and corneal type was investigated for guiding the proper selection of RGP lens. Methods: Spherical and aspherical RGP lenses were applied on ninety eyes $(25.12{\pm}3.52years)$ having with-the-rule astigmatism by different fitting status. Then, their central, mid-peripheral and peripheral areas of fluorescein pattern were calculated and compared for the quantitative evaluation of the contact area between spherical/aspherical RGP lens. Results: The central and peripheral areas with the alignment fitting was significant different based on lens design. However, the central area didn't show any significant difference by lens design and corneal type when fitted in steep or flat. When analyzed by the corneal shape, both lenses with alignment and flat fitting had significant difference in central and peripheral areas. However, the central, mid-peripheral and peripheral areas with steep fitting didn't show the difference by corneal types. When analyzed by the astigmatic degree, the central and peripheral areas with alignment fitting changed proportionally to the increase of corneal astigmatism regardless of corneal shape. With steep and flat fitting, however, the central, mid-peripheral and/or peripheral areas in round- and symmetric bowtie-typed corneas showed the conflicting result when compared to those of alignment fitting when analyzed by the astigmatic degree. Conclusions: In this study, it was confirmed that the contact areas of cornea and RGP lens fitted steep and flat status were largely affected by the corneal type and corneal astigmatism rather than RGP lens fitted in alignment status. Also, this result commonly occurred in both spherical and aspherical RGP lenses.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study was conducted to establish the experimental condition for the proper evaluation of protein removal efficacy when developing protein removal agents. Its protein removal efficacy was further analyzed and compared with the result from protein removal efficacy against protein deposition on contact lens to suggest the evaluation method for efficacy of protein removal agents. Methods: Protein digestibility assay presented in the Korean pharmacopoeia was selected to establish the evaluation method for efficacy of papain, pancreatin, subtilisin A and protease itself as a ingredient and protein removal tablets or solution containing those enzymes and find a suitable test conditions. Furthermore, the cleaning efficacy of commercially available protein removal tablets and solution on balafilcon A lens deposited with protein artificially was measured and the correlation between two evaluation methods was further analyzed. Results: When pancreatin itself and the product containing pancreatin was evaluated by protein digestibility assay, both reached 28 IU/mg, the standard value of protein digestibility suggested by the Korean pharmacopoeia. In case of protease and subtilisin A tested with trichloroacetic acid B solution, both of them met the enzyme activity level proposed by the manufacturers when they were evaluated by protein digestibility assay however, papain and subtilisin A tested with trichloroacetic acid A solution were not reached the enzyme activity level. Among protein removal agents, three products except a product containing pancreatin did not meet the enzyme activity value specified by the manufacturer when they were evaluated by protein digestibility assay. However, actual protein removal efficacy of three products except a papain-containing product on the lens was greater than 90% protein removal. In the case of papain-containing protein removal product, its effect was not measured by protein digestibility assay however, its actual protein removal efficacy on the lens reached 73.72%. Conclusions: From the results, it was confirmed that the efficacy of protein removal agents for contact lens should be evaluated by different method according to the type of proteolytic enzyme contained. That is, the protein removal agents containing pancreatin, protease and subtilisin A can be evaluated by protein digestibility assay and protein removal efficiency evaluation and the products containing papain can be effectively evaluated by only the evaluation method for protein removal efficiency employing the lens.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the physical properties of RGP lens induced by lens polishing on the actual wearer's subjective comfort, the tear film break-up time and the blinking rate as a follow-up study that revealed the relationship between the lens physical properties during lens manufacturing and lens wearer's factors. Methods: RGP lenses made from the three different polishing conditions (25, 50 and 100 seconds) were applied on 28 eyes of 17 subjects, aged 20 to 29 years, without any known disease and surgical history in the eyes. While the subjects were asked to wear the RGP lenses longer than a week, the questionnaire for the comfortability was administered everyday. Subjective and objective tear break-up time and blinking rate of the wearers were further measured. Results: The wearer's subjective comfortability showed some difference in the type of discomfort and satisfaction score according to the polishing status when wearing RGP lenses made from different polishing conditions longer than a week, and a bigger difference in satisfaction score induced by polishing condition was especially shown in experienced RGP lens wearer rather than un-experienced wearer. In the case of RGP lens wearer compared with the ones without the wearing experience, as the wearing time increased subjective and objective tear break-up time were increased and the blinking rate was decreased. However, subjective and objective tear break-up time were tended to decrease with even longer wearing time when wearing the RGP lens made from the polishment for 100 seconds. Conclusions: These results confirmed that the optimization of physical properties of the lens may not give the same effect on the wearer's subjective and objective symptoms and other factors when actual wearing. From the results, it can suggest that the success rate of RGP lens wear may be changed by physiological factors such as the stabilization of wearer's tear film, comfortability and lens wearing experience when wearing RGP lens based on 'The manufacturing standard for soft contact lens/hard contact lens' provided by Korea Food and Drug Administration.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study was aimed to figure out the correlation amongst the evaluation methods for critical micelle concentration, surface tension and protein cleaning efficacy to evaluate cleaning efficacy of contact lens care products. Methods: The critical micelle concentration of surfactants and the actual concentration of surfactants in contact lens care solutions were investigated by employing references published and related information. Surface tension of contact lens care solutions was measured by surface tension device at $25{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, and contact lenses made of lotrafilcon A, comfilcon A and balafilcon A were washed with contact lens care solutions after the incubation in artificial tears for 14 days and their cleaning efficacy was compared. Results: Among the 22 contact lens care products, 9 products provided the label of the concentration of surfactant, and 7 products showed higher concentration of surfactant than the critical micelle concentration reported in references. As a result of measuring surface tension, the surface tension of lens care products for soft contact lens was generally lower than other care products. When examined the removal effect of protein deposited on lens surface, it was known that the care products having lower surface tension showed higher protein removal efficiency. Conclusions: The surface tension is low when surfactant concentration in contact lens care solutions is high, and the removal effect of protein deposited is accordingly increased with the decrease of surface tension. Thus, these indicate the correlation amongst the evaluation methods for cleaning efficacy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.966-971
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• 2003

Purpose : It is now well established that infection and inflammation play an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain damage. The loss of neutrophils from systemic circulation is an associated finding in injury mediated by granulocyte. Periventricular leukomalacia(PVL) caused by ischemia is the principal form of brain injury in premature infants. This study was conducted to evaluate whether the low neutrophil count is associated with periventricular leukomalacia(PVL) in premature infants. Methods : Retrospective review of medical records was undertaken. Subjects were premature infants with a birth weight of less than 1,500 gm, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Kyungpook University Hospital. A complete blood count of peripheral blood was done within the 1st hour of life. Neutropenia was defined as absolute neutrophil count < $1,500/mm^3$, PVL as increased periventricular echodensities followed by cyst formation on ultrasonography or corresponding signs on brain MRI. Results : Thirteen infants out of a total population of 37 revealed neutropenia. Respiratory distress syndrome and requirement for respiratory support were not different between infants with neutropenia( neutropenia group) and infants without neutropenia(control group). Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and grade 3 and 4 IVH were more frequent in neutropenia group(P<0.05). There was no statistically significant increase of PVL in neutropenia group. The neutrophil count was $18,760.0{\pm}10,266.1/mm^3$, $7,272.0{\pm}7,435.0/mm^3$ infants with PVL and $11,131.7{\pm}3,386.5/mm^3$, $2,407.5{\pm}1,933.1/mm^3$ in infants without PVL, respectively. The frequency of mechanical ventilation and artificial surfactant therapy was higher in infants with PVL compared with infants without PVL, but statistical analysis was not performed due to small number of subjects. Conclusion : A low number of neutrophils in the systemic circulation was not associated with an increased risk of PVL in premature infants.