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Active Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis: The Clinical Profile, Laboratory Findings and Mid-term Surgical Results (활동성 인공판막 심내막염: 임상 양상, 검사 소견 및 중기 수술 성적)

  • Kim, Hwan-Wook;Joo, Seok;Kim, Hee-Jung;Choo, Suk-Jung;Song, Hyun;Lee, Jae-Won;Chung, Cheol-Hyun
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.42 no.4
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    • pp.447-455
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    • 2009
  • Background: Prosthetic valve endocarditis usually presents with clinical symptoms that are more severe than native valve endocarditis, and prosthetic valve endocarditis shows the spread of infection into the surrounding tissue as well as into the superficial endocardial layers. The postoperative prognosis is especially poor for valve re-replacement for the cases of active endocarditis that are unable to receive a full-course of pre-antibiotic therapy due to complications and the ensuing clinical aggravation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical profiles, laboratory findings and mid-term surgical results of active prosthetic valve endocarditis. Material and Method: Among the 276 surgically treated infective endocarditis patients who were treated during the period from January 1998 to July 2008, 31 patients were treated for prosthetic valve endocarditis. Among these patients, 24 received surgical treatment for an 'active' state, and they were selected for evaluation. Result: The most frequently encountered symptom was a febrile sensation. Eight cases (33.3%) were accompanied by systemic thromboembolism, among which 5 cases (20.8%) had an affected central nervous system. 'Vegetations' were most commonly found on transesophageal echocardiography, and the 'Staphylococcus species' were the most frequent pathogens. There were 4 deaths in the immediate postoperative period, and an additional 4 patients died during the follow-up period (Mean$\pm$SD, 42.1$\pm$36.9 months). The cumulative survival rate was 79% at 1 year, 73% at 3 years, 66% at 5 year, and 49.5% at 7 years. Conclusion: The cases of active prosthetic valve endocarditis that were unable to receive a full course of preoperative antibiotics therapy generally have a poor prognosis. Nevertheless, early surgery and extensive resection of all the infected tissue is pivotal in improving the survival rate of patients with surgically treated active prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Clinical Study of Vascular Injuries (혈관 손상의 임상적 고찰)

  • Chung, Sung-Woon;Kim, Young-Kyu
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.40 no.7 s.276
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    • pp.480-484
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    • 2007
  • Background: Major vascular injuries can jeopardize a patient's life or imperil limb survival. We performed this study to establish an optimal management plan for vascular injuries. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 26 cases of vascular injury that were treated at Pusan National University Hospital from May, 1999 to September, 2004. The age and sex distribution, the locations and causes of vascular injury, the diagnostic tools, the degree of injuries, clinical manifestations, the treatment modality and complications were reviewed. Result: The mean age was 39.5 years (range: $12{\sim}86$) and the male to female ratio was 22 : 4. The injuries were in 6 descending thoracic aortas, 4 femoral arteries, 4 popliteal veins and so on. The causes of injury were iatrogenic in 8 cases, traffic accident in 7, stab injury in 6 and industrial accident in 5. The most commonly used diagnostic tools were CT and angiography. The degrees of arterial injury were pseudoaneurysm in 10 cases, partial severance in 5, complete severance in 3 and thrombosis in 3. The degrees of venous injury were partial severance in 6 cases, complete severance in 2 and arteriovenous fistula in 2. The clinical manifestations were absence of pulse in 8 cases, coldness in 7, chest pain in 6, swelling in 5, bleeding in 5 and so on. The most frequently used type of revascularization was graft interposition in 11 cases. Two arteriovenous fistulae were repaired by endovascular procedure. There was one case of mortality due to multi-organ failure after hemorrhagic shock, There were three major amputations, and two of them were due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: A system for the early diagnosis and treatment is essential for improving limb salvage and patient mortality. As a consequence of the widespread application of endovascular procedures, the incidence of iatrogenic injuries has recently increased. Educating physicians is important for the prevention of iatrogenic injury. Easy communication and cooperation for earlier involvement of a vascular surgeon is also an important factor.

Variation of Soil Physical Characteristics by Drainage Improvement in Poorly Drained Sloping Paddy Field (배수불량 경사지 논 토양의 배수방법에 따른 토양 물리성 변화)

  • Jung, Ki-Yuol;Yun, Eul-Soo;Park, Chang-Young;Hwang, Jae-Bok;Choi, Young-Dae;Jeon, Seung-Ho;Lee, Hwang-A
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.45 no.5
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    • pp.704-710
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    • 2012
  • The lower portion of sloping paddy fields normally contains excessive moisture and the higher water table caused by the inflow of ground water from the upper part of the field resulting in non-uniform water content distribution. Four drainage methods namely Open Ditch, Vinyl Barrier, Pipe Drainage and Tube Bundle for multiple land use were installed within 1-m position from the lower edge of the upper embankment of sloping alluvial paddy fields. This study was conducted to evaluate soil physical characteristics by drainage improvement in poorly drained sloping paddy field. The results showed that subsurface drainage by Pipe Drainage improves the productivity of poorly drained soils by lowering the water table and improving root zone soil layer condition. In an Pipe drainage plot, soil moisture drained faster as compared to the other drainage methods. Infiltration rate showed high tendency to Piper Drainage method about $20.87mm\;hr^{-1}$ than in Open Ditch method $0.15mm\;hr^{-1}$. And Similarly soil water and degree of hardness and shear strength phase of soil profile showed a tendency to decrease. From the above results, we found that when an subsurface drainage was established with at 1m position from the lower edge paddy levee of the upper field in sloping poorly drained paddy fields Pipe Drainage was the most effective drainage system for multiple land use.

EXPRESSION OF PROTEIN KINASE C ISOFORMS IN CHEMICAL CARCINOGEN-INDUCED NEOPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION OF HUMAN EPITHELIAL CELLS (화학적 발암화에 따른 Protein Kinase C의 발현 변화)

  • Byeon, Ki-Jeong;Hong, Lak-Won;Kim, Chin-Soo
    • Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.295-305
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    • 2001
  • Protein kinase C (PKC) is known to play a pivotal role in neoplastic transformation cells and its high expression is often found in a variety of types of tumors including oral cancer. While PKC is associated with the altered signal transduction pathway of the tumor cells, it is still unclear which isoform is involved in the carcinogenesis process. Since the cellular distributions and the roles of PKC are isoform-specific, it is very important to identify the specific target molecules to improve our understanding of the carcinogenesis processes. Thus, the present study attempted to perform chemical carcinogen-induced neoplastic transformation of human epithelial cells and analyze the specific isoform of PKCs involved in the cellular transformation. The study analyzed overall PKC responses upon MNNG(N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso guanidine) exposure with [$^3H$] PDBu binding assay. PKC translocation was observed at high doses of MNNG treatment in the presence of extracellular calcium. Such effects were not observed in the absence of extracellular calcium. Translocational effects with exposure of MNNG was further enhanced in the presence of hydrocortisone. The result suggests that the type of PKC involved may be $Ca^{2+}$-dependent classical isoform and steroid hormone enhances PKC activation. Among cPKC isoforms examined, only $PKC-{\alpha}$ and r showed significant translocation of protein levels from cytosolic fraction to membrane fraction, as analyzed by immunoblot. $PKC-{\varepsilon}$ in nPKC class showed an inch·eased translocation, but other forms in this class did not show the effect. None of isoforms in aPKC class was affected by MNNG treatment. The study demonstrated that there was a certain specificity in the patterns of isoform induction follwong chemical carcinogen exposure and helped identify all the types of PKC isoforms expressed in human epithelial cells. It was revealed that PKC isoforms were activated in an early resonse to chemical carcinogen, suggesting that PKC be associated with carcinogenesis process from an early stage in this particular cell system. The study will contribute to improving our understanding of chemical-induced carcinogenesis in human cells and may provide a scientific basis to introduce the specific PKC inhibitors as an anticancer drug of epithelial cell-origin cancers including oral cancer.

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Comparison of Effect of Various Types of Soybeans on Mutagenicity and Growth of Human Cancer Cell Lines (콩 종류별 항돌연변이 및 암세포 증식 억제 효과 비교)

  • Lim, Sun-Young
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.20 no.10
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    • pp.1532-1537
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    • 2010
  • This study compared the inhibitory effects of methanol extracts from yellow and black soybeans (black soybean, Seomoktae and Seoritae) on mutagenicity using the Ames test and growth of human cancer cells (AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma, HT-29 human colon cancer, Hep 3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells). In the Ames test system using Salmonella typhimurium TA100, aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$)-induced mutagenicity was significantly inhibited by treatments with the methanol extracts from either yellow or black soybeans in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). The methanol extracts from various black soybeans tended to have a greater inhibitory effect compared to those from yellow soybeans. As for N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguamidine (MNNG)-induced mutagenicity, the methanol extracts (5 mg/assay) from black soybean, Seomoktae and Seoritae showed 51%, 61% and 53% inhibitory rates, respectively, indicating that Seomoktae, a type of black soybean, had a stronger antimutagenic activity against mutagens (both $AFB_1$ and MNNG). Methanol extracts from black soybeans showed an inhibitory rate of greater than 50% on the growth of human cancer cells (AGS, HT-29 and Hep 3B) and the inhibition was more effective in the methanol extract from Seomoktae. Our results suggested that the methanol extracts from black soybeans showed stronger inhibitory effects on mutagenicity and growth of cancer cells than those from yellow soybean. It is concluded that intake of black soybean can be recommended for improving health.

Analysis of Safety Education Contents of 『Field of home life』 in Technology·Home Economics Textbook developed by the revised curriculum in 2009 (2009 개정 기술·가정 교과서 『가정생활영역』의 안전교육 내용 분석)

  • Kim, Nam Eun
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.23-39
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    • 2017
  • The Purpose of this study is to present the basic data for selecting and improving the safety education contents which help practically middle school students through analysis of contents of safety education in 'field of home life' of 2009 revised middle school textbooks. The subjects of analysis are 12 types of middle school textbooks: in total 24 books written by 12 publishers in terms of the revised curriculum in 2009. The analysis criteria is developed by the researcher referring to preceding studies regarding safety education based on the seventh safety education standard presented by the Ministry of Education (2015). With such analysis criteria, all words related to the contents of the safety education of analysis criteria were extracted from each textbook, such as words directly mentioned as 'safety', words mean as 'psychological safety' and 'happy life', words related to 'attention', 'note', 'stability' etc. Under the analytic frame of safety education contents according to a home economics textbook, content analysis method was used for producing the frequency and percent of those words. The textbook analysis shows that the number of pages regarding safety education is 336.3 pages, as 9.8% in total 3,412 pages of 12 types of technology and home economics textbooks. As following the analysis of each textbook volume of the proportion in the contents related to safety education, 224.9 pages are on the first volume and 111.9 pages are on the second volume. As grades increase from year one to year three, the proportion of safety education in home economics textbooks is decreased. The highest number of safety education contents unit is 'Self-management of youth' which includes three parts of safety education. In the case of a unit for emphasizing practice, experience and practical exercise such as 'Life of youth' and 'Practice of eco-living', safety education content in the area of 'life safety' are mostly contained. Safety accidents related to the most student experienced, Household accidents (1.4%) and experiment or practice accidents (0.3%) are presented in a low figure. The contents of universal housing and school violence are duplicated on first and second volume of text. The most presented safety education content in the 12 types of textbooks are proper sexual attitude, dietary problems, family conflict and food choice. The least common contents are dangerous drugs, family welfare, internet addiction and industrial accident compensation insurance. As this study is to analyze 12 textbooks developed in 2009 revision curriculum, it is necessary to compare it with the textbook written by the revised curriculum in 2015 and to clarify the contents system of safety education and to avoid duplication of contents. In addition, it is necessary to develop and distribute a safety education program that can support textbooks.

Associations between Characteristics of Green Spaces, Physical Activity and Health - Focusing on the Case Study of Changwon City - (공원녹지의 특성과 신체활동 및 건강의 상호관련성 - 창원시를 대상으로 -)

  • Baek, Su-Kyeongq;Park, Kyung-Hun
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.42 no.3
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    • pp.1-12
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    • 2014
  • Urban Green space takes charge of the important role for the physical activity and promotion of health to the residents. Therefore, this study is trying to examine the relationship between the various characteristics of green space and green space usage for physical activity and health promotion. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain the information about patterns of green space usage and perceived neighborhood environments for the residents living in Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do(n=541). Geographic Information System(GIS) was used to construct spatial data about green space accessibility and physical neighborhood environments. A Multiple Linear Regression model was used to examine the association between the characteristics of green space and physical activity, perceived health status and BMI(Body Mass Index). The study results revealed that the residents' physical activities are positively and directly influenced by the number of available public parks and green spaces in the vicinity(${\leq}200m$). The frequency at which residents witness others exercising nearby or the perceived abundance of low-cost gym facilities also factor as positive influences. The closer to the park, the higher the number of parks and area of green spaces, the more comfortable the walk thereto and the denser the neighboring residential area distribution, the perceived health level was found to be the more positively influenced. Further, it was verified that BMI is correlated with the number of public parks and green spaces within 400 m of the resident's home as well as the safety of walkways, the density of neighboring residential areas, the ratio of road, and the density of crosswalk. The significant multiple regression models between the characteristics of green spaces and physical activities and perceived health level were extracted within the significance level of 10%. This study will contribute to provide better understanding the ways in which green space and neighborhood characteristics are associated with physical activity and health. The result of this research will be available in the landscape architecture plan aimed at improving the use of green space for physical activity and reducing obesity.

A Study on the Relationship between Visual Preferences and Visitors' Satisfaction in Bukhansan Dulegil (북한산 둘레길 경관선호도와 이용만족도의 상관성에 관한 연구)

  • Cho, Woo-Hyun;Im, Seung-Bin
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.41 no.1
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2013
  • In nature, to change the consciousness of those who wish to pursue something new, the road is turning function-oriented 'Walking Path' into purpose-oriented 'Walking Trails'. Though 'Walking Trails' is a long linear journey that leads people to see, to feel and to experience while walking on the trail, but considering on the landscape of trails when selecting routes is lacking. Landscapes, which are felt and perceived while walking on the trail, provide a purpose, and can be an important factor to improve visitor satisfaction. However, the study is insufficient in terms of landscape of trails. Therefore, it is the purpose of this study to find ways to help improving visitors' satisfaction in selecting routes, by analyzing the images and preferences of trails landscapes that are visually perceived, by analyzing the correlation between visitors' satisfaction and them. For this study, landscape assessment was carried out after selecting representative landscape photos of BukhansanDulegil 13 sections and landscape images adjectives for landscape assessment. Through the assessment, analyze landscape images of each section, landscape images factors affecting a wish to walk and landscape preferences, relationship between visitors' satisfaction and them. 'Refreshing' image was higher on the path with many trees and less artificial elements; 'urban' image was higher on the path with artificial elements. 'A wish to walk' and 'landscape preference' was higher on the path showed 'refreshing' and 'pastoral' image with many natural elements. Factors affecting 'a wish to walk' were "refreshing-unpleasant", "impressive-ordinary", factors affecting 'landscape preference' were "refreshing-unpleasant", "comfortable-uncomfortable". In addition, landscape preference was found to have a high correlation with visitors' satisfaction.

Improvement of Radar Rainfall Estimation Using Radar Reflectivity Data from the Hybrid Lowest Elevation Angles (혼합 최저고도각 반사도 자료를 이용한 레이더 강우추정 정확도 향상)

  • Lyu, Geunsu;Jung, Sung-Hwa;Nam, Kyung-Yeub;Kwon, Soohyun;Lee, Cheong-Ryong;Lee, Gyuwon
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.109-124
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    • 2015
  • A novel approach, hybrid surface rainfall (KNU-HSR) technique developed by Kyungpook Natinal University, was utilized for improving the radar rainfall estimation. The KNU-HSR technique estimates radar rainfall at a 2D hybrid surface consistings of the lowest radar bins that is immune to ground clutter contaminations and significant beam blockage. Two HSR techniques, static and dynamic HSRs, were compared and evaluated in this study. Static HSR technique utilizes beam blockage map and ground clutter map to yield the hybrid surface whereas dynamic HSR technique additionally applies quality index map that are derived from the fuzzy logic algorithm for a quality control in real time. The performances of two HSRs were evaluated by correlation coefficient (CORR), total ratio (RATIO), mean bias (BIAS), normalized standard deviation (NSD), and mean relative error (MRE) for ten rain cases. Dynamic HSR (CORR=0.88, BIAS= $-0.24mm\;hr^{-1}$, NSD=0.41, MRE=37.6%) shows better performances than static HSR without correction of reflectivity calibration bias (CORR=0.87, BIAS= $-2.94mm\;hr^{-1}$, NSD=0.76, MRE=58.4%) for all skill scores. Dynamic HSR technique overestimates surface rainfall at near range whereas it underestimates rainfall at far ranges due to the effects of beam broadening and increasing the radar beam height. In terms of NSD and MRE, dynamic HSR shows the best results regardless of the distance from radar. Static HSR significantly overestimates a surface rainfall at weaker rainfall intensity. However, RATIO of dynamic HSR remains almost 1.0 for all ranges of rainfall intensity. After correcting system bias of reflectivity, NSD and MRE of dynamic HSR are improved by about 20 and 15%, respectively.

Effect of complex fertilizer treatment on a recovery of reduced turfgrass caused by competing with trees in golf course (복합비료 시비가 골프코스 수목근부 잔디고사 회복에 미치는 영향)

  • Jang Duk-Hwan;Kim Ho-Jun;Lee Tea-Wu;Kim Gun-Wu
    • 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.