• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.142-151
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• 2018

Purpose: The modification of the cancer classification system aimed to improve the classical anatomy-based tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging by considering tumor biology, which is associated with patient prognosis, because such information provides additional precision and flexibility. Materials and Methods: We previously developed an mRNA expression-based single patient classifier (SPC) algorithm that could predict the prognosis of patients with stage II/III gastric cancer. We also validated its utilization in clinical settings. The prognostic single patient classifier (pSPC) differentiates based on 3 prognostic groups (low-, intermediate-, and high-risk), and these groups were considered as independent prognostic factors along with TNM stages. We evaluated whether the modified TNM staging system based on the pSPC has a better prognostic performance than the TNM 8th edition staging system. The data of 652 patients who underwent gastrectomy with curative intent for gastric cancer between 2000 and 2004 were evaluated. Furthermore, 2 other cohorts (n=307 and 625) from a previous study were assessed. Thus, 1,584 patients were included in the analysis. To modify the TNM staging system, one-grade down-staging was applied to low-risk patients according to the pSPC in the TNM 8th edition staging system; for intermediate- and high-risk groups, the modified TNM and TNM 8th edition staging systems were identical. Results: Among the 1,584 patients, 187 (11.8%), 664 (41.9%), and 733 (46.3%) were classified into the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively, according to the pSPC. pSPC prognoses and survival curves of the overall population were well stratified, and the TNM stage-adjusted hazard ratios of the intermediate- and high-risk groups were 1.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-2.72; P<0.001) and 2.54 (95% CI, 1.84-3.50; P<0.001), respectively. Using Harrell's C-index, the prognostic performance of the modified TNM system was evaluated, and the results showed that its prognostic performance was better than that of the TNM 8th edition staging system in terms of overall survival (0.635 vs. 0.620, P<0.001). Conclusions: The pSPC-modified TNM staging is an alternative staging system for stage II/III gastric cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.259-266
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• 2010

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), requiring the intensive care unit (ICU) care, has been a high-mortality condition until now. In the present study, we aimed to investigate clinical features and parameters associated with TB mortality. Methods: From August 2003 to December 2008, patients with microbiologically or histologically confirmed pulmonary TB then admitted to the ICU, were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Upon enrollment, their medical records were reviewed. Results: Forty three patients (30 males, 13 females) were included and their mean age was 63.8 years (range: 17~87 years). Twelve patients died, an overall in-hospital mortality of 27.8%. The main reason for the ICU care was dyspnea or hypoxemia requiring mechanical ventilation (n=17). Other diagnoses for ICU care were hemoptysis, monitoring after procedures, neurologic dysfunction, shock, and gastrointestinal bleeding. On univariate analysis, the factors affecting the mortality were malnutrition-related parameters including low body mass index, hypoalbuminemia, lymphocytopenia, and hypocholersterolemia, as well as severity-related variables such as high acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) score, number of involved lobes, and high C-reactive protein. In addition, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and acute respiratory distress syndrome contributed to patient fatality. It was shown on multivariate analysis that respiratory failure and hypoalbuminemia were significantly independent variables associated with the mortality. Conclusion: Acute respiratory failure is the most common reason for the ICU care and also the most important factor in predicting poor outcome. In addition, our data suggest that the parameters associated with malnutrition could be possible factors contributing to mortality.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.34 no.3 s.95
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• pp.206-214
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• 2001

Water quality and Pollution state of Lake Chungcho were evaluated during three years from 1998 to 2000. We surveyed physicochemical parameters, and TSI (trophic state index) was calculated using TP, Chl. a, and SD (secchi disc transparency) data of growing season average. Water samples were collected bimonthly except freezing season. During the study period, total annual precipitation in 1998, 1999 and 2000 year was 1,797,1,722 and 1,345 mm, respectively. Salinity and conductivity were high($29.3{\pm}5.5\;ppt$, and $45,105{\pm}7,585\;{\mu}S/cm$) then other lagoons in the Eastern Coast of Korea. Chemocline was formed by salinity at $0.5{\sim}1.5\;m$ water depth. As a result of this, DO concentration of hypolimnion was below $3.0\;mgO_2/L$. Especially, when intense chemocline was formed, temperature of hypolimnion was higher than epilimnion. Secchi disc transparency, chlorophyll a, and COD were $1.8{\pm}0.3\;m$, $15.7{\pm}20.7\;mg/m^3$, and $3.1{\pm}0.8\;mgO_2/L$, respectively. Most of TN/TP ratios below 20, but concentration of TN and TP was high. Values of TSI ranged between 59 and 77, indicating a eutrophic condition in this system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.227-244
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• 2013

The vascular plants in the trail from Jangansan to Palgongsan were listed 389 taxa (8.0% of all 4,881 taxa of Korean vascular plants); 84 families, 226 genera, 325 species, 1 subspecies, 55 varieties and 8 forms. Furthermore, hemicryptophytes (H) were 110 taxa (28.3%), geophytes (G) were 77 taxa (19.8%), megaphanerophytes (MM) were 48 taxa (12.3%), nanophanerophytes (N) were 47 taxa (12.1%) showed high proportional ratio in life form. So, resource plants of 237 taxa of edible (60.9%), 278 taxa of medicinal (71.5%), 229 taxa of ornamental (58.9%) and 178 taxa of the others (45.8%). Based on the list of rare plants, 7 taxa (1.8% of all 389 taxa of flora and 1.2% of all 571 taxa of rare plants); Paeonia japonica (VU), Viola albida, Viola diamantica, Lilium distichum, Disporum ovale, Tricyrtis dilatata, Iris ensata var. spontanea (LC), etc. Based on the list of endemic plants, 7 taxa (1.8% of all 389 taxa of flora and 2.1% of all 328 taxa of endemic plants); Salix koriyanagi, Aconitum pseudolaeve var. erectum, Thalictrum actaefolium var. brevistylum, Philadelphus schrenckii, Asperula lasiantha, Weigela subsessilis, Carex okamotoi, etc. Based on the list of specific plants, 46 taxa (11.8% of all 389 taxa of flora and 4.3% of all 1,071 taxa of specific plants); 2 taxa (Wisteria floribunda for. floribunda, Cardamine yezoensis, etc.) in class IV, 6 taxa (Acer palmatum, Ulmus davidiana, etc.) in class III, 14 taxa (Ligularia fischeri, Cymopterus melanotilingia, etc.) in class II, 24 taxa (Ilex macropoda, Fraxinus mandshurica, etc.) in class I. Based on the list of naturalized plants, 6 families, 16 genera, 18 taxa (Phytolacca americana, Robinia pseudoacacia, Oenothera odorata, Erechtites hieracifolia, Festuca arundinacea, etc.) and invasive alien plants were 3 taxa; Rumex acetocella, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Aster pilosus. Naturalization rate (NR) was 4.6% of all 389 taxa of vascular plants and urbanization index (UI) was 5.6% of all 321 taxa of naturalized plants.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.21 no.1 s.85
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• pp.64-74
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• 2005

To develop the diet for Korean type 2 diabetic patients, a consumer survey was conducted (N=35) and was analyzed statistically. The survey compared the results of a questionnaire, somatometry, and blood parameters before and 8 weeks after the experiment. It was divided into Diabetic diet enforcement group (DDE) vs. Non diabetic diet enforcement group (NDDE). There was no significant difference in body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat, triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of the subjects before and 8 weeks after the experiment. DDE's average fasting glucose (FBG) and post prandial 2 hours blood glucose (PP2) were significantly decreased before and after the experiment (p<0.05). NDDE's average FBG and PP2 showed no significant difference. In terms of Hemoglobin $A_lC\;(HbA_1C)$ content, DDE's had significantly decreased level both before and after the experiment (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the NDDE group. Cholesterol and High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly different in DDE (p<0.05) both before and after the experiment. Whereas in the case of NDDE, there was no significant difference on the cholesterol and HDL-C, while DDE's showed a significant difference before and after the experiment. In terms of patients distribution depending on their treatment (p<0.05), NDDE had no significant difference before and after the experiment. For an item asking blood glucose control, DDE had significant difference before and after the experiment (p<0.01), while NDDE had no significant difference. For program satisfaction (p<0.05) and health (p<0.001), both the groups changed significantly after the experiment. But there was no significant difference in applying it to their real life after the experiment. Based on these results, DDE had the decreased blood glucose levels, $HbA_1C$, and cholesterol and increased HDL-C, with decreased rate of the patients taking oral hypoglycemic agents. In addition, many of the patients who participated in the experiment were found to be satisfied with the program, in terms of having less trouble in glucose control and exhibited improvement in health. Hence, based on the above results it was concluded that program was a very successful one for the treatment of diabetes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.3
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• pp.480-487
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• 2012

This study was conducted to search the effects of debris barrier on the benthic macroinvertebrate. Gimcheon was selected as the survey site as it has relatively stable ecosystem with constantly running water. The survey was conducted 6 times before and after the construction of debris barrier from February in 2009 to October in 2010. In the first survey before construction, the identified species were 36 species belonged to 22 families, 9 order, 4 class, and 4 phylum. The figure slightly decreased to 30 species belonged to 18 families, 7 order, 2 class, and 2 phylum in the sixth survey after construction. Before construction, occupation ratio of EPT taxa was showed in the following order: Ephemeroptera (50.0%, 85.0%), Trichoptera (35.3%, 10.0%), and Plecopteran (14.8%, 5.0%). After construction, it was showed in the following order: Trichoptera (50.3%, 68.0%), Ephemeroptera (42.1%, 29.4%), and Plecopteran (7.5%, 2.7%). Ephemeroptera was the highest before construction. Trichoptera increased rapidly after construction. The Diversity, Richness, Evenness, and Dominance indices were all turned low in the second survey right after the construction. However, each index tended to increase with the course of time. In Functional Feeding Groups, GC type was the highest of 60.7% before construction. After construction, SC(53.1%) and FC(35.4%) increased rapidly and they became stabilized since the third survey. The result of this study reveals that debris barrier greatly affects the Aquatic Ecosystem right after its construction, but the system becomes stable and returns to normal with the course of time (about 18 months). Therefore, the study considering various influence factors such as time is required to recover completely through further long-term monitoring.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.3
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• pp.454-460
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• 2012

This study was conducted for determining the influence of Sediment Control Dam dredging on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in mountain stream of Gyeongsangbuk-do. The sediment control dams were surveyed before and after dredging from mountain streams of Yecheon, Yeongju and Bonghwa in Northern part of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Sampling was taken at upper and down from 3 experimental sites and 2 control sites during May to August 2011. The identified species before dredging were 56 belonged to 31 families, 11 orders, 6 classes and 4 phyla, but after dredging it has decreased to 51 species belonged to 27 families, 10 orders, 5 classes and 4 phyla. The microhabitat damage of benthic macroinvertebrates occurred at experimental sites after dredging of sediment control dams led to reduction of the number of species and individuals. Especially, upper stream of experimental sites showed the reduction of an average of 38% species. In general, species diversity indices and species richness indices decreased after dredging; however, dominance indices increased at experimental sites. In the upper stream of experimental sites, the microhabitat damaged and became pool due to dredging. Also, velocity of flow decreased and the river bed became simply due to the sedimentary matter being finer than sand and silt. As a result, composition of functional feeding groups and functional feeding groups were relatively simpler at upper stream and the degree of community differences was greater between upper and down stream. Also, Chironomidae spp., Ephemeridae spp., and Gomphidae spp. to prefer where slow velocity of flow and lentic increased in a greater rate, and the EPT/C index to indicate the balance of the community decreased.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.31-44
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• 2012

Seasonal changes in groundwater geochemistry exist in Ddan-sum island. In the farming season of April, the spatial distribution of ions explains that $Fe^{2+}$, Fe(total), $Mn^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $SiO_2$, ${HCO_3}^-$, and ${NO_3}^-$ are high in the center of the island, but $Na^+$ and $K^+$ are relatively low and these high anions indicates the effect of fertilizer used for strawberry cultivation. Spatial variation of ion concentration is smaller in August than April because of low agricultural activity and heavy rainfall. Geochemical type of groundwater shows that the center of island has the characteristics of recharge zone but the rim area corresponds to a mixing zone between groundwater and stream water. According to the analysis of saturation index for Fe and Mn ions, hematite, goethite, and rhodochrosite under supersaturation have a possibility of additional mineral deposition, and siderite, $Fe(OH)_3$, manganite, pyrolusite, and pyrochroite under unsaturation may exist as a type of dissolved ion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 2001

For determining the relative genetic effects of Duroc (D) and Taoyuan (T) breeds on the economic traits of their hybrids, 72 litters of pigs, from four mating types, namely TT (T♂$\times$T♀), DD (D♂$\times$D♀) and D-T hybrids (TD, T♂$\times$D♀ and DT, D♂$\times$T♀) were used in this study. The various crossbreeding parameters were estimated by comparisons among mating types using linear contrasts of least-square analysis. The results of reproductive traits analysis showed that T breed had contributed superior genetic effects on the total number of piglets at birth (TBN) (p<0.10) and number of live piglets at 21 days (LP21) (p<0.05) to the D-T hybrids. Estimates of maternal genetic effects showed that the T females were superior in TBN (p<0.05), but inferior in average birth weight (ABW) and average litter birth weight (LBW) (p<0.01) to the D females. Direct heterosis effects were significant for LBW, LP21 and LWT21 (p<0.01). Least-squares analysis of other economic traits showed that T breed had relative negative effects on all growth traits, withers height (WH), body type index (BTI), average backfat thickness (ABF), carcass length (LENG), loin eye area (longissimus) (LEARA), and lean percentage (LEAN) of D-T hybrids (p<0.05). Estimates of direct genetic effects showed that the D breed was superior to the T breed in all growth and carcass traits except the average backfat (BF). Estimates of maternal genetic effects showed that average body weight at 180 days (WT180) of progenies from T sows were lighter than from D sows. Progenies from D females had larger and leaner carcass than those from T females. Direct heterosis effects were significant for average daily weight gains from 150 to 180 days ($ADG_{150-180}$) (p<0.05) and for average body weights at 150 (WT150), and 180 days (WT180), average daily weight gains from birth to 150 and 180 days ($ADG_{150}$ and $ADG_{180}$, respectively), WH, body length (BL), ABF, BTI, and LENG (p<0.01). The results showed that D-T hybrids tended to have superior TBN and LP21 than D breed, and to be superior in all growth and most conformation and carcass traits to the T breed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.515-523
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the variability in broiler performance, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and ileal digestible energy (IDE) between five different maize samples fed with and without xylanase at 16,000 U/kg. Various in vitro characterisations were conducted to determine if any could predict performance or AME. Samples of the maize were harvested in five diverse regions and fed individually in a mash diet as follows (g/kg): test maize 608.3; soya bean meal (SBM) 324.1; poultry fat 25.2; salt 4.6; met 2.6; lys 1.6; thr 0.5; limestone 9.7, dical 18.4; vit/min 5.0; CP 210 and ME (kcal/kg) 3,085. The diets were fed to 720 broilers with 6 replicates, each containing 12 birds per treatment, from 0 to 18 d of age. Maize samples were analysed for starch, protein, crude fibre, fat, protein solubility index (PSI) and vitreousness using near infra red reflectance spectroscopy (NIR). They were also assayed using an in vitro starch digestibility method. The results showed that there was no effect of harvest region on the feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the broilers over the 18 d period (p = 0.959, 0.926, 0.819 respectively). There was an improvement in all parameters with the addition of xylanase (FI p = 0.011; BWG and FCR p<0.001). There was a significant positive effect of xylanase on IDE, AME, IDE Intake (IDEI) and AME intake (AMEI) (p<0.0001 in all cases). Although there was no significant effect of maize source, there was a strong trend towards variability in IDE (p = 0.066) and AME (p = 0.058). There were no significant correlations (p<0.05) between any proximate or physiochemical values and any performance or AME values. This may suggest that none of those selected were suitable predictors for performance or AME. The broilers performed well according to the breed guidelines, with slightly increased FI, increased BWG and similar FCR prior to the addition of xylanase. When FCR and BWG were analysed with FI as a covariate, xylanase addition remained significant suggesting that the improvement in BWG and FCR was driven by an increase in digestibility and nutrient availability.