• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.324-333
• /
• 2021

Objective: The clinical course of an individual patient with heart failure is unpredictable with left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) only. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived myocardial fibrosis extent and to determine the cutoff value for event-free survival in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) who had severely reduced LVEF. Materials and Methods: Our prospective cohort study included 78 NICM patients with significantly reduced LV systolic function (LVEF < 35%). CMR images were analyzed for the presence and extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as a composite of cardiac death, heart transplantation, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator discharge for major arrhythmia, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure within 5 years after enrollment. Results: A total of 80.8% (n = 63) of enrolled patients had LGE, with the median LVEF of 25.4% (19.8-32.4%). The extent of myocardial scarring was significantly higher in patients who experienced MACE than in those without any cardiac events (22.0 [5.5-46.1] %LV vs. 6.7 [0-17.1] %LV, respectively, p = 0.008). During follow-up, 51.4% of patients with LGE ≥ 12.0 %LV experienced MACE, along with 20.9% of those with LGE ≤ 12.0 %LV (log-rank p = 0.001). According to multivariate analysis, LGE extent more than 12.0 %LV was independently associated with MACE (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.71; 95% confidence interval, 2.54-17.74; p < 0.001). Conclusion: In NICM patients with significantly reduced LV systolic function, the extent of LGE is a strong predictor for long-term adverse cardiac outcomes. Event-free survival was well discriminated with an LGE cutoff value of 12.0 %LV in these patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.38
• /
• pp.48.1-48.8
• /
• 2016

Background: This study investigates the effect of alendronate-treated osteoblasts, as well as the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the alendronate-treated osteoblasts. Bisphosphonate decreases the osteoblastic activity. Various treatment modalities are used to enhance the bisphosphonate-treated osteoblasts; however, there were no cell culture studies conducted using a low-level laser. Methods: Human fetal osteoblastic (hFOB 1.19) cells were treated with $50{\mu}M$ alendronate. Then, they were irradiated with a $1.2J/cm^2$ low-level Ga-Al-As laser (${\lambda}=808{\pm}3nm$, 80 mW, and 80 mA; spot size, $1 cm^2$; NDLux, Seoul, Korea). The cell survivability was measured with the MTT assay. The three cytokines of osteoblasts, receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were analyzed. Results: In the cells treated with alendronate at concentrations of $50{\mu}M$ and higher, cell survivability significantly decreased after 48 h (p < 0.05). After the applications of low-level laser on alendronate-treated cells, cell survivability significantly increased at 72 h (p < 0.05). The expressions of OPG, RANKL, and M-CSF have decreased via the alendronate. The RANKL and M-CSF expressions have increased, but the OPG was not significantly affected by the LLLT. Conclusions: The LLLT does not affect the OPG expression in the hFOB cell line, but it may increase the RANKL and M-CSF expressions, thereby resulting in positive effects on osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling.

• Journal of Advanced Technology Convergence
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2024

This study was a descriptive research study conducted to determine how nursing students' good death awareness and nursing attitudes toward dying patients affect their empathy. The subjects of the study were 155 nursing students, and data were collected using an online survey method. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26. Higher attitude toward care of dying (B=.312) had a statistically significant positive effect on empathy capacity (p<.010). The variables that affected nursing students' empathy capacity were end-of-life experiences of relatives (𝛽=.226) and attitude toward care of dying (𝛽=.220). The regression model was statistically significant (F=6.968, p<.001), explained 10.4% of empathy. This study is expected to be used as basic data for the development of programs to strengthen the empathy capacity of nursing students in the future.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.162-177
• /
• 2020

Research was conducted to characterize the copper production and smelting process with 11 copper smelting by-products (copper slag and copper crucible) excavated from the NA and LA areas at the Gwanbuk-ri archeological site in Buyeo. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and Raman microspectroscopy were employed in the analysis. The research results reveal that the copper slag from Gwanbuk-ri contained silicate oxide, magnetite, fayalite, and delafossite, which are typical characteristics of crucible slag and refined slag. The outward appearance and microstructure of the slag were grouped as follows: 1. glassy matrix + Cu prill, 2. glassy matrix + Cu prill + magnetite, 3. silicate mineral matrix + Cu prill, 4. crystalline (delafossite and magnetite) + amorphous (Cu prill), 5. magnetite + fayalite, and 6. slag from slag. The copper slags from Guanbuk-ri were found to contain residues of impurities such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, SO₄, P₂O₅, Ag₂O, and Sb₂O₃ in their microstructure, and, in some cases, it was confirmed that copper, tin and lead are alloys. These results indicate that refining of intermediate copper(including impurities) and refining of alloys of copper(including impurities) - tin and refining of copper(including impurities) - tin - lead took place during the copper production process at Gwanbuk-ri, Buyeo.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.110-116
• /
• 2019

To investigate the antagonistic inhibitory effects in a mixed culture between probiotics and various pathogenic microorganisms, 140 probiotics were identified using a 16 rRNA sequencing phylogenetic analysis method, and various probiotics strains were isolated from Korean kimchi from January to December 2016. The antagonistic inhibition test of a mixed culture of four probiotics (Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus reuteri) with excellent antimicrobial activity and six pathogenic microorganisms (Candida albicans, Salmonella Enteritidis, E. coli O157:H7, Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa)showed that the growth of most probiotics strains increased normally after culture, but growth was inhibited almost completely in most pathogenic microorganisms, except for S. Enteritidis. This antagonistic inhibitory effect in vitro was attributed to the low pH of the lactic acid and organic acid produced during fermentation. As a result, four probiotics strains isolated from Korean Kimchi are very likely to be developed as therapeutic agents for female yeast infections and colon and skin care. In the future, these therapeutic agents will help improve public health related to probiotics.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.62-69
• /
• 2003

The aim of research is the evaluation of the $Cr^{6+}$ emission features of the liquid injection through emission experiments in varying conditions, based on a field-mixing ratio. The results showed that the content of $Cr^{6+}$ content in cement measured had an Ordinary Potland Cement (OPC) of 25.3 mg/kg, which constitute the largest portion among the other materials. Likewise, the emission experiment of homo-gel and sand-gel generally satisfied the standard of KSLT (Korea Standard Leaching Test) in waste of 1.5 mg/L, but in case of the standard of KSLT in soil the emission of OPC $Cr^{6+}$ of 4.85 mg/kg. These conditions is a little exceeded the criteria in the ‘Ga’ area in terms of Korea Soil Environmental Preservation Law. In addition, results generated by the mock-up injection facilities revealed that $Cr^{6+}$ emission increased as Water/Cement and injection pressure increased. At injection pressure higher than 4 kg/㎤, $Cr^{6+}$ emission exceeded the water preservation standard of 0.5 mg/L. Similarly, a pattern experiment of C $r^{6+}$ emission according to pH was conducted, in order to evaluate the $Cr^{6+}$ emission features of grout materials in leachate below pH 5 such as pH 4 acid rain or landfill. Results show that $Cr^{6+}$ emission dramatically increased in high acidic or basic state. It indicates that $Cr^{6+}$ emission will probably increase in an environment where grout materials are injected. On the other hand, concentration of leachate was determined in areas where grout materials are used. The results show that the concentration of emission in an ultra purity condition does not manifest intensity, and is affected in the OPC>MC>SC order. It means that the pollutants or $Cr^{6+}$ emission increases with decreasing concentration. As such, $Cr^{6+}$ emission will probably exceed the countermeasure criteria according to the types of gout materials. Similarly, high pressure or injection will cause increased $Cr^{6+}$ emission. Therefore, the selection of materials or mixing ratio should be considered in general as well as according to specific industries, based on the strength and pH of $Cr^{6+}$ emission.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.34-39
• /
• 2006

Purpose : The incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is twice as high in East Asians as in Caucasians. However, its metabolic basis has not been clearly explained. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene(UGT1A1) mutation was found to be a risk factor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. We studied whether neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is associated with the 1828G>A(rs 10929303) polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene, which encodes for a key enzyme of bilirubin metabolism. Methods : The genomic DNA was isolated from 80 Korean full term neonates who had greater than a 12 mg/dL level of serum bilirubin with no obvious cause, and the genomic DNA was also isolated from 164 Korean neonates of the control population. We studied a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of 1828G>A in the untranslated region of the UGT1A1 gene by direct sequencing. Results : Three of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had homozygous mutations and 10 of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had heterozygous mutations. Thirteen of the 164 neonates of the control group had homozygous mutations and 16 neonates of the control group had heterozygous mutations. The allele frequency of 1828G>A polymorphism of UGT1A1 in the hyperbilirubinemia group was 10.0 percent, which was not significantly different from the allele frequency of 12.8 percent in the control group. Conclusion : In this study, the 1828G>A polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene was detected in the Korean neonates with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Our results indicated that this SNP is not associated with the prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia in Koreans.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.488-498
• /
• 2003

By LC/MS/MS, the analytical method of sildenafil and its analogues (homosildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil) used as used medical treatment of impotence was established. electrosprary ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) as a ionization method were applied. Several parameter were varied and the sensitivity and reproducibility were compared. In LC/ESI-MS method, capillary voltage, cone voltage, extractor, entrance and RF lens to create appropriate productr ions for multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) were variable parameter, but the formation of the other product ions except the precursor ion could not detect. And the value of entrance, collision energy, exit, corona voltage, cone voltage, extractor, RF lens, cone gas, and desolvation gas in APCI mode were varied, only the creation pattern of fragment ions by the change of RF lens value were detected, and the limit of detection was decreased due to the increase of S/N. Ten millimole ammonium formate (pH 4.8):acetonitrile=70:30 by isocratic elution in HPLC system was shown the maximum sensitivity in MS, the detection limit of sildenafil, homosildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil obtained by ESI-MRM were 0.10, 0.025, 0.025, and $0.25{\mu}g/mL$ at S/N>5, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.109 no.4
• /
• pp.492-503
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted to analyze stem decay in Quercus mongolica and Quercus variabilis in Korea. To ensure even allocation, a total of 5,005 sample trees (2,504 Q. mongolica and 2,501 Q. variabilis) were cut and collected in five regions and 27 subregions. The trees were then examined for stump decay and assigned to four classes based on the degree of scar, tissue decay and decolorization, splitting, and tree hollowing. The results show that the decay rate of Q. mongolica was 66.1%, at least twice as high as that of Q. variabilis, which was rated at 35% (χ2 = 631.15, p < 0.001). The comparison among regions indicated that the highest ratio of Q. mongolica occurs in the Central Regional Forest Service zone (76.5%), followed by the Northern zone (74.8%) and Eastern zone (65.7%). In contrast, the greatest proportion of Q. variabilis is found in the Northern Regional Forest Service zone (38.6%), followed by the Southern (32.9%) and Eastern (37.8%) zones. A statistically significant difference was seen among the five zones (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). There was also a clear tendency for the proportions for the two species to increase with a rise in the DBH. With respect to age, however, a statistically significant difference was found (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) only in Q. mongolica, whose rate increased with the increase in age. Our results show that as the DBH and age increases, the conditions of tissue decay and decolorization are manifested in Q. mongolica, whereas scars are common in Q. variabilis.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.88-95
• /
• 2000

Objectives: The object of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of sleep deprivation on mood states of normal adults using a subjective scale and an objective scale, minimizing the effect of other factors other than that of sleep deprivation. Methods: Seventy volunteers were first participated in this sleep deprivation schedule, and 36 of them completed this experiment. The subjects and the control group members were all in their early 20's (mean $age=20.8{\pm}1.35$ vs $20.6{\pm}1.10$) and in good health. A log was checked by these subjects from a week before the laboratory study started. Drugs, alcohol and beverages containing any caffeine had been prohibited for a week before and during sleep deprivation periods. The study was performed only in summer to control other factors like sunlight, temperature and moisture. Before this experiment, the subjects had slept adequately for a week at least. On day 1 of the experiment the subjects got up at 6 a.m. and stayed in a sleep laboratory without sunlight or external noises. They could only go about their daily routines. They were forbidden to have a nap and be drowsy. GVA (Global Vigor and Affect) and MADRS (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale) were checked 11 times. The data was analysed focusing on the changing mood states. Results: The mood during sleep deprivation became worse as the sleep deprivation time progressed. Especially 20 hours ($GA=59.25{\pm}8.06$, $MADRS=3.43{\pm}1.25$) and 40 hours ($GA=38.83{\pm}9.22$, $MADRS=6.08{\pm}1.46$) after sleep deprivation, there were significant changes compared to the control group ($MADRS=6.08{\pm}1.46$ vs $1.07{\pm}1.18$, p<0.001). Conclusions: While controlling factors other than sleep deprivation might have had some influence on mood changes, significant mood changes during sleep deprivation were observed. The mood states became worse as the sleep deprivation progressed.