• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 2016

Purpose: Monitoring pneumococcal carriage rates is important. We developed and evaluated the accuracy of a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods: In October 2014, 157 nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from patients aged <18 years admitted to Chung-Ang University Hospital. We developed and evaluated a real-time PCR method for detecting S. pneumoniae by comparing culture findings with the results of the real-time PCR using genomic DNA (gDNA). Of 157 samples, 20 specimens were analyzed in order to compare the results of cultures, real-time PCR, and real-time RT-PCR. Results: The concordance rate between culture findings and the results of real-time PCR was 0.922 (P<0.01, Fisher exact test). The 133 culture-negative samples were confirmed to be negative for S. pneumoniae using real-time PCR. Of the remaining 24 culture-positive samples, 21 were identified as S. pneumonia -positive using real-time PCR. The results of real-time RT-PCR and real-time PCR from 20 specimens were consistent with culture findings for all S. pneumoniae -positive samples except one. Culture and real-time RT-PCR required 26.5 and 4.5 hours to perform, respectively. Conclusions: This study established a real-time RT-PCR method for the detection of pneumococcal carriage in the nasopharynx. Real-time RT-PCR is an accurate, convenient, and time-saving method; therefore, it may be useful for collecting epidemiologic data regarding pneumococcal carriage in children.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.65-70
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• 2009

Reduction of groundwater surface tension prior to air sparging (SEAS, surfactant-enhanced air sparging) was known to increase air saturation in the aquifer under influence, possibly enhancing the removal rates of volatile contaminants. Although SEAS was known to be efficient for increasing air saturation, little information is available for different hydrogeological settings including soil particle sizes and the depth of aquifer. We investigated water saturations in the sparging influence zone during SEAS using one-dimensional column packed with sands of different particle sizes and different aquifer depths. An anionic surfactant was used to suppress the surface tension of water. Two different sands were used; the air entry pressures of the sands were measured to be $15.0\;cmH_2O$, and $36.3\;cmH_2O$, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the water saturation-surface tension relationship for sands with different particle sizes. As the surface tension decreased, the water saturation decreased to a lowest point and then it increased with further decrease in the surface tension. Both sands reached their lowest water saturations when the surface tension was set approximately at 42 dyne/cm. SEAS was conducted at three different aquifer depths; 41 cm, 81 cm, and 160 cm. Water saturation-surface tension relationship was consistent regardless of the aquifer depth. The size of sparging influence zone during SEAS, measured using two-dimensional model, was found to be similar to the changes in air saturation, measured using one-dimensional model. Considering diverse hydrogeological settings where SEAS to be applied, the results here may provide useful information for designing SEAS process.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.530-534
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• 2002

Background: In aortic surgery, division and ligation of the left brachiocephalic vein(LBV) may improve exposure of the aortic arch but controversy continues about the safety of this division and whether a divided vein should be reanastomosed after arch replacement was completed. The safety of LBV division and the fate of the left subclavian venous drainage after LBV division were studied. Material and Method: From November 1998 to January 2001, planned division and ligation of the LBV on the mid-line after median sternotomy was peformed in 10 patients during the aortic surgery with the consideration of local anatomy and distal aortic anastomosis. Assessment for upper extremity edema and neurologic symptoms, measurement of venous pressure in the right atrium and left internal jugular vein, and digital subtraction venography(DSV) of the left arm were made postoperatively. Result: In 10 patients there was improvement in access to the aortic arch for procedures on the ascending aorta or aortic arch. The mean age of patients was 62 years(range 24 to 70). Follow-up ranged from 3 weeks to 13 months. One patient died because of mediastinitis from methicilline-resistant staphylococcus aureus strain. All patients had edema on the left upper extremity, but resolved by the postoperative day 4. No patient had any residual edema or difficulty in using the left upper extremity during the entire follow-up period. No patient had postoperative stroke. Pressure difference between the right atrium and left internal jugular vein was peaked on the immediate postoperative period(mean peak pressure difference = 25mmHg), but gradually decreased, then plated by the postoperative day 4. In all DSV studies left subclavian vein flowed across the midline through the inferior thyroid venous plexus. Conclusion: We conclude that division of LBV is safe and reanastomosis is not necessary if inferior thyroid vein, which is developed as a main bridge connecting the left subclavian vein with right venous system, is preserved.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2009

Background: CXCL10 and CXCL11, which are family of CXCR3 ligands, are expressed by lymphocytes and even by bronchial epithelial cells if the cellular immunity is activated. This study evaluated the potential utility of CXCL10 and CXCL11 in the serum for active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with lung cancer, which activates the cellular immunity, and benign lung diseases. Methods: Patients who newly visited Pusan National University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2007 and were suspected of having lung cancer or tuberculosis were enrolled prospectively. The patients were classified pathologically and clinically into three groups, 47 with lung cancer, 18 with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 38 control patients with benign pulmonary disease. ELISA was used to determine the levels of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were determined in the serum. Results: The level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were significantly higher in the active pulmonary tuberculosis group than in the lung cancer and benign lung disease groups (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis). The level of CXCL11 was significantly higher in the lung cancer group than in the benign pulmonary disease group, but there was no significant difference in level of CXCL10 between the three groups (p<0.001, p=0.655, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). The level of CXCL10 in patients with stage III+IV lung cancer was significantly higher than those with stage I+II, but there was no significant difference in the level of CXCL11 between the groups (p<0.001, p=0.07, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). There was no significant difference in the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 between those with the presence and absence of lung cancer metastasis. There was a significant correlation between the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 (r=0.223, p<0.001). Conclusion: CXCL10 and CXCL11 may be a potential useful markers for active pulmonary tuberculosis if used alongside other diagnostic methods.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.272-277
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• 2008

Background: The efficacy of the use of the interventional bronchoscope for palliation of patients with central airway obstruction has been established. In the palliative setting to alleviate central airway obstruction, the use of laser resection, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation, photodynamic therapy and cryotherapy can provide relief of an airway obstruction. Cryotherapy is the therapeutic application of extreme cold for the local destruction of living tissue. Recently, this technique has been used for endoscopic management of central airway obstructions in Korea. We report the role and complications of the use of cryotherapy for airway obstructions in patients with advanced lung cancer. Methods: We used a flexible cryoprobe for cryotherapy using nitrous oxide as a cryogen. The cryoprobe was applied through the working channel of a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. The temperature of the tip was approximately $-89^{\circ}C$, and the icing time was 5~20 seconds. Results: Four patients with a central airway obstruction from advanced lung cancer were treated with cryotherapy. Three of the four patients were treated successfully and the airway obstruction was improved after the cryotherapy procedure. Dyspnea, hypoxia and atelectais were improved in three cases. Two patients experienced complications- one patient experienced pneumomediastinum and the other patient experienced massive hemoptysis during the cryotherapy procedure. However, these complications resolved and did not influence mortality. Conclusion: This technique is effective and relatively safe for palliation of inoperable advanced lung cancer with a central airway obstruction.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.471-475
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• 2008

Background: In order to achieve a maintenance level and to prevent hemorrhagic complications, regular monitoring of the INR is mandatory for patients on oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT). A point-of-care instrument for INR monitoring is convenient for users, but the accuracy of the results has been controversial, and so this calls for exact evaluation of the point-of-care instrument that is used for INR monitoring. Methods: From Aug 2007 through Feb 2008, 85 patients on OAT among the all the patients who were admitted to Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital were involved in this study. Parallel measurements of the PT INR were performed using a CoaguChek-XS and, a CA-7000 laboratory reference instrument and the results were analyzed. In addition, the patients' clinical data, including the diagnosis and the frequency and interval of the INR measurements, were also analyzed. Results: Of the 85 patients, 25 were admitted more than once to undergo INR testing and the mean interval between testing was 8.6 weeks with 39% and 38% of the tests being less than INR 2 units with using the CoaguChek-XS and the reference method, respectively. The coefficients of variation of CoaguChek-XS were 4.50 and 2.45 for the high and low INR patients, respectively. An excellent correlation was found between the two methods with a $R^2$ of 0.966 (p<0.001). Through Bland-Altman analysis, the mean INR difference between the two methods was 0.13 with the limit of agreement being -0.47~+0.72 with a 95% confidence interval. CoaguChek-XS was shown to overestimate the INR value for patients with an increasing INR, as compared to the reference method. Conclusion: CoaguChek-XS demonstrated great precision and accuracy for patients on OAT when compared to the laboratory INR results. Accordingly, the instrument should help to monitor the INR in the patients on OAT.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.438-446
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of composite resin($Z250^{(R)}$) and compomer(Dyract AP) cured with various curing lights(Elipar $TriLight^{(R)}$, $Flipo^{(R)}$, and Elipar FreeLight $2^{(R)}$). Box-shaped class V cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted human third molars. The sectioned specimens were evaluated for dye penetration and following results were obtained. 1. Regarding microleakage in the enamel margin with different curing light sources, there was no significant difference in Dyract AP whereas $Z250^{(R)}$ with $Flipo^{(R)}$ showed higher microleakage score than those of FreeLight $2^{(R)}$ or $TriLight^{(R)}$(p<0.05). 2. Regarding microleakage in the dentin margin with curing light sources, there were no significant differences in both Dyract AP and $Z250^{(R)}$(p>0.05). 3. Regarding microleakage in the enamel margin with filling materials. there were no significant differences in both filling materials with $Flipo^{(R)}$ whereas $Z250^{(R)}$ showed less microleakage than Dyract AP with FreeLight $2^{(R)}$ or $TriLight^{(R)}$ (p<0.05). 4. Regarding microleakage in the dentin margin with filling materials, there wer no significant differences in both filling materials with $TriLight^{(R)}$ whereas $Z250^{(R)}$ showed less microleakage than Dyract AP with FreeLight $2^{(R)}$ or $Flipo^{(R)}$ (p<0.05). 5. Enamel margin showed less microleakage than dentin margin when filled with Dyract AP and cured with $Flipo^{(R)}$ or FreeLight $2^{(R)}$ (p<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences between the enamel and the dentin in the rest groups. This study suggested that $Z250^{(R)}$ showed lower microleakage score than Dyract AP. and that $Flipo^{(R)}$ showed higher microleakage score than FreeLight $2^{(R)}$ and $TriLight^{(R)}$ in the enamel margin filled with $Z250^{(R)}$.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 2006

Inguinal hernia is the most common disease treated by the pediatric surgeon. There are several controversial aspects of management 1)the optimal timing of surgical repair, especially for preterm babies, 2)contralateral groin exploration during repair of a clinically unilateral hernia, 3)use of laparoscope in contralateral groin exploration, 4)timing of surgical repair of cord hydrocele, 5)perioperative pain control, 6)perioperative management of anemia. In this survey, we attempted to determine the approach of members of KAPS to these aspects of hernia treatment. A questionnaire by e-mail or FAX was sent to all members. The content of the questionnaire were adapted from the "American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Surgery hernia survey revisited (J Pediatr Surg 40, 1009-1014, 2005)". For full-term male baby, most surgeons (85.7 %) perform an elective operation as soon as diagnosis was made. For reducible hernia found in ex-preterm infants already discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), 76.2 % of surgeons performed an elective repair under general anesthesia (85.8 %). 42.9 % of the surgeons performed the repair just before discharge. For same-day surgery for the ex-premature baby, the opinion was evenly divided. For an inguinal hernia with a contralateral undescended testis in a preterm baby, 61.9 % of surgeons choose to 'wait and see' until 12 month of age. The most important consideration in deciding the timing of surgery of inguinal hernia in preterm baby was the existence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (82.4 %), episode of apnea/bradycardia on home monitoring (70.6 %). Most surgeons do not explore the contralateral groin during unilateral hernia repair. Laparoscope has not been tried. Most surgeons do not give perioperative analgesics or blood transfusion.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.3
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• pp.411-420
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• 2015

This study examined methods for stand density control by using shape ratio (tree height/DBH) and its application for effective management of Pinus thunbergii coastal disaster prevention forests. We analyzed the present conditions (height, DBH, and density) of P. thunbergii coastal disaster prevention forests at 123 study sites on Jeju Island and west, south, and east coasts of South Korea and compared them with results from previous studies. The average shape ratio for P. thunbergii showed positive correlations with stand density and was significantly higher on the west coast (66.32) than on the south (49.57) and east (48.19) coasts and Jeju Island (48.29). Stands with shape ratio higher than 70 accounted for 50% of the total study sites on the west coast, indicating a decrease in their disaster prevention function compared to that of other previous studies. The stand density in most coastal areas, except the east coast, was significantly higher than the standards recommended by the Korea Forest Service and the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute of Japan, indicating the need for stand density control. According to the growth estimation equation for P. thunbergii in the coastal area of South Korea, density control is required for young stands less than 14 years old, which show drastic increase in the shape ratio, to conserve their disaster prevention function. Particularly, the first thinning of P. thunbergii forests should be implemented before the stand age of 8 years that a shape ratio exceeds 70. For disaster-prone young stands (${\leq}20cm$ DBH) of P. thunbergii, the stand density was higher in the standard of Japan considering shape ratio than in that of Korea aiming timber production. Hence, the standard guidelines employed in Japan, which assign higher importance to disaster prevention function based on field surveys, can be applied effectively for controlling the stand density of P. thunbergii coastal forests in South Korea, to improve their disaster prevention function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.991-995
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• 2013

This study was conducted to develop an edible culture media with various types of cereals and soybeans for the pre-cultivation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). To manufacture the edible culture media, LAB enrichment media were prepared using cereals such as brown rice (including germinated brown rice, glutinous brown rice, and germinated glutinous brown rice), yellow soybeans (including yellow soybeans, hulled yellow soybeans, germinated yellow soybeans, hulled and germinated yellow soybeans), and black soybeans (black soybeans, hulled black soybeans, germinated black soybeans, hulled and germinated black soybeans). Seven species of LAB were used in the experiment: Lactobacillus (Lb.) farciminis, Lb. homohiochii, Lb. pentosus, Lb. plantarum, Leuconostoc (Leu.) paramesenteroides, Leu. citreum, and Leu. lactis. For edible culture media from cereals, the average viable cell count of the seven starter cultures was 7.6~8.0 log CFU/mL, while that of the MRS culture medium, a synthetic medium, was 9.2 log CFU/mL; thus proliferation was lower by about 1~2 log CFU/mL in starter cultures from cereals compared to the synthetic medium. In the case of the edible culture media from soybeans, most bacteria showed higher proliferation in the hulled and germinated soybean media. In particular, Lb. plantarum showed the highest cell count at 10.08 log CFU/mL. In the case of edible culture media from black soybeans, the proliferation rate was higher in the hulled and germinated black soybean medium. Lb. homohiochii showed the highest proliferation in the hulled and germinated black soybean medium at 9.90 log CFU/mL. All results show that edible culture media using cereals and soybeans are generally good for LAB. Especially, hulled and germinated black soybeans are optimal for the pre-cultivation of LAB medium.