• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.295-300
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• 2015

The aim of the study was to assess the in vitro effect of 808-nm InGaAs diode laser on rabbit articular chondrocyte proliferation and sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) synthesis in alginate bead. Previous studies revealed either positive or negative stimulatory effects of laser on different types of cells. A 808-nm InGaAs diode laser at 1.0W power output was used to irradiate the rabbit chondrocytes in alginate beads with energy densities of $31J/cm^2$ (G 1) and $62J/cm^2$ (G 2) corresponding to the experimental groups for 10 seconds and 20 seconds, respectively at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after seeding. Control group was left untreated. MTT assay was performed at 1 week and 2 weeks after the $1^{st}$ laser irradiation in alginate beads. sGAG synthesis in alginate beads at 1 week and 2 weeks were determined by DMMB assay. Histological evaluation for cellular distribution and sGAG deposition around the cells were performed by alcian blue stain. MTT assay revealed no positive stimulatory effect in cell proliferation in alginate bead. DMMB assay results showed significantly increased sGAG production in G 2 chondrocytes at 2 weeks. Image analysis of alcian blue stained slides also showed significantly higher percentage of positive alcian blue stain in G 2 chondrocytes. This result suggests that 808-nm InGaAs diode laser with 1.0 W power output although cannot stimulate cell proliferation it can increase the cell secretion activity and sGAG deposition in alginate beads.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.265-272
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• 2011

Purpose: The clinical usefulness of rotation evaluation using objective refraction in toric soft lenses fitting was investigated. Methods: Toric soft lenses were fitted for 32 subjects (64 eyes; mean age of 24.69 ${\pm}$ 1.65 years) with astigmatism and both eyes of each subject were fitted with toric soft lenses. Objective refraction-based lenses rotation was evaluated from refraction and over-refraction data by indirect calculating technique. These calculated data were compared with the measured data from slit lamp with direct measuring technique. Results: Orientation of toric soft lenses around zero position (within ${\pm}$ 5$^{\circ}$ vertical line) was investigated. The orientations to the direction of nose of measured and calculated values were 69.78% and 63.64%, respectively, which showed similar values between two techniques. Agreement frequency between measured and calculated values in the magnitude of lenses rotation 54.69% and 82.82% for 10$^{\circ}$ and 20$^{\circ}$ of vertical line, respectively. The 95% limits of agreement between calculation and measurement were from -10.08$^{\circ}$ to 12.65$^{\circ}$, and mean difference was 1.29$^{\circ}$ within ${\pm}$ 10$^{\circ}$. The result showed there was no significant difference (p = 0.1984) and high correlation (r = 0.56, p = 0.0004) between two techniques. But the 95% limits of agreement was widen in ${\pm}$ 20$^{\circ}$ of vertical line. The magnitude of lens rotation between two methods was 9.66 ${\pm}$ 6.16$^{\circ}$, 16.17 ${\pm}$ 12.38$^{\circ}$ and 10.58 ${\pm}$ 12.02$^{\circ}$ for normal, loose and tight fitted conditions. Conclusions: From the results with smaller difference between two techniques, it was found that higher availability of subjective over-refraction data can be used as a supplementary tool for subjective refraction. An application using objective refraction with direct measuring could be provide high success in prescription on toric soft lenses.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2018

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to research the usage characteristics of asbestos-containing building materials and to conduct exposure risk assessment by applying no. 2016-230 "Methods of Risk Assessment of Asbestos-Containing Buildings" from the Ministry of Environment. Methods: One hundred buildings located in the Seoul and Gyeonggi-Incheon area were chosen, with 29 in Seoul, 20 in Incheon, and 51 in Gyeonggi-do Province. The year of construction was divided between three buildings in the 1970s, 11 buildings in the 1980s, 42 buildings in the 1990s, and 44 buildings in the 2000s. The bulk samples were analyzed by using a polarizing microscope after a pre-process using a stereomicroscope in a hood with an HEPA filter. This study defined ACMs(asbestos-containing materials) as asbestos when the content percentage was over 1% in the analysis result. Methods and standards of risk assessment of asbestos-containing building materials were conducted by refering to no. 2016-230 "Method of Risk Assessment of Asbestos-Containing Buildings" from the Ministry of Environment. The risk of exposure to ACMs was rated by a score based on three categories(high, middle, low risk of asbestos exposure). Results: In this study, 30 of the 100 buildings and 36 of the 416 bulk samples(8.6%) were found to have had asbestos. Asbestos was detected at a high rate, in 18 out of 42, in buildings constructed in the 1990s and at the lowest rate(7 out of 44) for buildings constructed in the 2000s. As a result of the evaluation according to no. 2016-230 "Method of Risk Assessment of Asbestos-Containing Buildings" of the Ministry of Environment, the risk assessment level of two asbestos-containing building materials was found to be "Medium", and 28 buildings materials were found to be at the "Low" level. Conclusion: As asbestos is regulated by the government, it is required to conduct active management and implemention by introducing methods of risk assessment of asbestos exposure that are supported by data from various situations. In the case of buildings owned by individuals, building owners should be aware of the risk of exposure to asbestos.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.264-273
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• 2002

Purpose : Three-dimensional radiation dosimetry using magnetic resonance imaging of polymer gel was recently introduced. This dosimetry system is based on radiation induced chain polymerization of acrylic monomers in a muscle equivalent gel and provide accurate 3 dimensional dose distribution. We planned this study to evaluate the clinical value of this 3-dimensional dosimetry. Materials and Methods: The polymer gel poured into a cylindrical glass flask and a spherical glass flask. The cylindrical test tubes were for dose response evaluation and the spherical flasks, which is comparable to the human head, were for isodose curves. T2 maps from MR images were calculated using software, IDL. Dose distributions have been displayed for dosimetry. The same spherical flask of gel and the same irradiation technique was used for film and TLD dosimetry and compared with each other. Results : The R2 of the gel respond linearly with radiation doses in the range of 2 to 15 Gy. The repeated dosimetry of spherical gel showed the same isodose curves. These isodose curves were identical to dose distributions from treatment planning system especially high dose range. In addition, the gel dosimetry system showed comparable or superior results with the film and TLD dosimetry. Conclusion : The 3-dimensional dosimetry for conformal radiation therapy using MRI of polymer gal showed stable and accurate results. Although more studies are needed for convenient clinical application, it appears to be a useful tool for conformal radiation therapy.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.265-270
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• 1997

Purpose: Rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment remain the cornerstone of management of patients with meningitis. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) for glucose, protein, cells, and organisms is necessary for accurate diagnosis, but in many parts of the world facilities do not exist to do so. We tested CSF samples from 69 children with suspected meningitis with urinary reagent strips and analyzed the results to know the usability of urinary reagent strips in diagnosis of meningitis. Methods: 69 CSF samples obtained from children with suspected meningitis were analysed. Each sample was divided into two; one was sent to the laboratory for routine diagnostic evaluation, and the other was tested with the reagent strip(Combur10 Test M). Laboratory values of CSF glucose, protein, and leucocytes for each CSF sample were plotted against the corresponding reagent-strip category. Results: There was good agreement between the dipstick and laboratory values for CSF protein and cell count but not for glucose. Conclusion: Rapid diagnosis of meningitis could be made with three component of the Combur10 test strip. It is easy to do and would be of particular value to those working in parts of the world where no laboratory facilities exist.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.4 s.51
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• pp.911-923
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• 1995

With increased use of neurotoxic agents in manufacturing industries, hazardous effects of neurotoxic agents pose significant problems in protecting health of workers who work in these industries. A normal range of neurobehavioral performance is required to study hazardous effects of neurotoxic agents among workers. However, such reference for Korean population is not available yet. The objective of this study is to estimate a normal range of neurobehavioral test performance of female workers in Korea. Data for neurobehavioral test performance developed by the World Health Organization were obtained from 165 female workers. Study subjects, 140 production workers and 25 clerks, who voluntarily participated in this study were not occupationally exposed to neurotoxic agents. The mean age and the mean education years of them were 32 years and 10.9 years, respectively Santa Ana dexterity, pursuit aiming, digit symbol, simple reaction time, and Benton visual retention tests among the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery(NCTB) were included in the evaluation. Subjects were interviewed by a trained interviewer for their detailed occupational history $Mean({\pm}SD)$ performance of the participants were: $45.7{\pm}7.1\;and\;41.9{\pm}6.4$ in the Santa Ana dexterity test of the preferred and non-preferred hands; $45.7{\pm}7.1\;and\;41.9{\pm}6.4$ in correct dot of the pursuit aiming test; $57.7{\pm}16.0$ in the digit symbol test; $274.8{\pm}44.6$ msec in the mean simple reaction time and $70.5{\pm}69.0$ msec in the mean standard deviation of it; and $7.8{\pm}1.7$ in the Benton visual retention test. Most neurobehavioral performance scores were correlated significantly with age and educational level. Educational level was found to be a significant independent variable which was associated with all test scores. Age was significantly associated with scores of pursuit aiming and digit symbol tests.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.2 s.42
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• pp.251-267
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• 1993

The relationship between lead related subject symptoms and lead exposure indices was studied in 435 male lead workers in thirteen lead using industries. 212 male office workers who were not exposed to lead occupationally were also studied as a control group. Fourteen lead related symptoms were selected. They were further subdivied into 4 sub-symptom groups such as 1) gastrointestinal, 2) neuromuscular and joint 3) constitutional, and 4) psychological symptoms. Symptom questionnaires were provided to the workers and filled up by themselves and reconfirmed by interviewer(doctor). The test used fer the evaluation of lead exposure were blood lead(PbB), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood(ZPP), hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit (Hct), delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine(DALA). The results obtained were as follows; 1. The higher prevalence rate in the sub-group of neuromuscular and joint symptoms was observed in occupationally lead exposed subjects than non-exposed subjects. Among the sub-groups, the most frequent symptom was 'numbness of finger, hands or feet', and the prevalence of the symptom of 'arthralgia', 'weakness of fingers, hands or feet' and 'myalgia' were higher in order. 2. While the symptom which showed the biggest difference of prevalence rate among the 14 symptoms between exposed and non-exposed subjects was 'numbness of fingers, hands or feet', the symptom which showed the highest prevalence rate was 'feeling tired generally' in exposed and non-exposed subjects, but no statistical difference of symptom prevalence were observed. 3. In total study population, PbB and ZPP had dose-response relationship with 4 symtoms of neuromuscular and joint symptoms ('numbness of finger, hands or feet', 'arthralgia', 'weakness of fingers, hands or feet' and 'myalgia') and one symptom of gastrointestinal group('intermittent pains in lower abdomen'). 4. In lead exposed workers, only neuromuscular and joint symptoms group showed dose-response relationship with PbB and ZPP, 5. In lead exposed workers, the prevalance rate of overall symptoms of lead workers with age below 39 years was higher than that of lead workers with age above 40. While neuromuscular and joint symptoms group had a dose-response relationship with PbB in former group, it had a dose-response relationship with ZPP in latter group. 6. Age adjusted odds ratios of symptoms of non-exposed with exposed and odds ratios of low exposed with high exposed workers showed the dose-response relationship of lead exposure with neuromuscular and joint symptoms group('numbness of fingers, hands or feet', 'arthralgia', 'weakness of fingers, hands or feet' and 'myalgia') and gastrointestinal symptoms group('intermittent pains in lower abdoman').

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.275-284
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• 2008

Purpose: We intended to evaluate myocardial oxygen consumption ($MVO_2)$ by applying recirculation correction and modified one-compartment model to have a reference range of $MVO_2$ in normal young population and to reveal the effect of recirculation on time-activity curve (TAC). Materials and Methods: In nine normal male volunteers with mean age of $26.3{\pm}4.0$, $MVO_2$ was estimated with 925 MBq (25mCi) of $^{11}C$-Acetate (Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea) and PET/CT (Biograph 6, Siemens Medical Solution, Germany). Analysis software such as $MATLAB^{(R)}$ v7.1 (Mathworks, Inc., United States), $Excel^{(R)}$ 2007 (Microsoft, United States), and $SPSS^{(R)}$ v12.0 (Apache Software Foundation, United States) were used. Twenty three frames were of $12{\times}10$, $5{\times}60$, $3{\times}120$, $2{\times}300's$ duration, respectively. The modified one-compartmental model and the recirculation correction method were applied. Statistical analysis was performed by using Test of Normality, ANOVA and Post-Hoc (Scheffe's) analysis, and p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The normal reference ranges of $MVO_2$ were presented as $3.18-4.64\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;ml/g/sec$, $1.91-3.94\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;ml/g/sec$, $4.31-6.40\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;ml/g/sec$, $2.84-4.53\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;ml/g/sec$ and $3.42-5.00\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;ml/g/sec$ in the septum, the inferior wall, the lateral wall, the anterior wall and the entire wall, respectively. In addition, it was noted that the dual exponentiality of the clearance curve is due to the recirculation effect and that the characteristic of the curve is essentially mono-exponential. Conclusion: $^{11}C$-Acetate is a radiotracer worthwhile to assess $MVO_2$. Re-circulated $^{11}C$ can influence TAC of $^{11}C$ in myocadia and so the recirculation correction must be considered when measuring $MVO_2$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.2 s.103
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• pp.181-190
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• 2003

An investigation was conducted on the aquatic environment of the Okchon Stream watershed six times from May to September 2002. The results of investigation revealed that variation of environmental factors were quite significant for each stream and reach, showing a significant difference between running water and stagnant water. Aquatic nutrients were relatively low in the upstream, gradually increasing as the influx of treated wastewater into the stream increased. This suggests that the point source definitely affected the nutrient content of the stream. In particular, the variations of SRP and $NH_4$ were very distinct in the watershed compared to other nutrients. Thus, it can be considered as a major factor in evaluating the effect of treated wastewater. Immediately after the influx of treated waste-water, the average content of SRP rose to 919.3 ${\mu}g$ P/l. This was a very effective level in the watershed, suggesting that the percentage of the nutrients in the water was controlled by the content of P. The constant supply of treated wastewater was found to be a critical factor in triggering the increase in chl-a in the embayment of the stream. With the proliferation of the blue-green algae, the content of chl- a ranged 234.5${\sim}$1,692.2 ${\mu}g/l$. The maximum standing crops exceeded $1.0{\times}10^6$ cells/ml in August, which was more than 200 times the level for red tide in the freshwater. This result was well reflected in other environmental factors, with 100% of AFDM/TSS reflecting the severity of water pollution by algae. Therefore, the reduction of P and N con-tents in the treated wastewater is critical in improving the aquatic environment of the stream as well as water quality management for the reservoir.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.205-215
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• 2010

Geothermal heat pump system (GHPS) is an energy-efficient technology that use the relatively constant and renewable energy stored in the earth to provide heating and cooling. With the aim of using GHPS as a heating source, it's possibilities of application in farrowing house were examined by measuring environmental assessment and sow's performance. A total of 96 sows were assigned to 2 pig housings (GHPS and conventional housing) with 48 for four weeks in winter season. During the experimental period, indoor maximum temperature in GHPS-housing was measured up to $26.7^{\circ}C$, average temperature could maintain $21.2^{\circ}C$. The mean value of dust levels and $CO_2$, $NH_3$ and $H_2S$ gas emissions were decreased in GHPS-housing compare with those of conventional housing. Litter size, birth weight, parity and weaning weight did not differ between housings. However, feed intake of sow in GHPS-housing was lower than that of conventional housing. In energy consumption for heating, electric power consumption increased in GHPS-housing than the conventional housing, a 2,250 kwh increase, whereas there is no fuel usage for heater in GHPS-housing. Amount of ground water circulated for heating in cold weather for earth heat exchanger was 8.4-12.9 ton per day. In conclusion, GHPS may have environmental benefits and effectiveness of heating in farrowing housing and affect the performance in sows.