• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.622-628
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• 2007

Purpose : While pediatric observation units (POU) have become a common practice in hospitals throughout developed countries, there has been no report about POUs in Korea so far. The aims of this study were to analyze our one-year's experience of the POU and to decide which disease entities are suitable for the POU. Methods : All children admitted from March 2006 to February 2007 to the POU at the Department of Pediatrics in Our Lady of Mercy Hospital were included in this study. Data were collected from retrospective reviews of their medical records. Results : There were a total of 1,076 POU admissions. Median age of patients was 2.4 years and median length of hospital stay 14.0 hours. The most common diagnoses were gastroenteritis (42.7%), pharyngotonsillitis (19.1%), bronchiolitis (7.8%), pneumonia (5.5%) and febrile seizure (5.2%). Overall, 7.5% of the POU patients required subsequent inpatient admissions due to hospital stays of longer than 48 hours. The disease entities that were most likely to require inpatient admission were pneumonia (17.0%), febrile seizure (12.5%) and asthma (11.5%). Diseases that allowed successful discharge from the POU were gastroenteritis (4.6%), upper respiratory tract infection (5.8%), such as otitis media and pharygnotonsillitis and seizure disorder (6.4%). Compared with the previous year when the POU was not in operation, there was a statistically significant reduction in the average length of hospital stays (from 4.69 to 3.75 days), as well as a rise in the bed turnover rate (from 78.8 to 98.2 patients/bed). Conclusion : Our study shows that the POU is efficient for the management of children with certain acute illnesses. Based on this study, we suggest that the POU be used as a new modality which links between the outpatient, inpatient, and emergency departments in the field of pediatrics in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.331-336
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• 2000

In order to examine the effect of SO$_2$, which is the major component of acid rain, on the peroxidase activity, rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings were grown on the media containing various concentrations of Na$_2$SO$_3$. Na$_2$SO$_3$ concentrations needed for the 50% inhibition of rice seed germination were determined to be 300$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml at pH 7, 8$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml at pH 5 and 2$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml at pH 3. Notably, about 8 fold and 4 fold increase of the specific activity of the enzyme were observed with the seedlings treated with 8$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml Na$_2$SO$_3$ at pH 5 and 2$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml Na$_2$SO$_3$ at pH 3, respectively. The effects of Cd and Pb on the peroxidase activities and chlorophyll contents were also examined. About 3.9 fold higher peroxidase activities were found at 0.03mM Cd, and the chlorophyll contents were reduced to 63% of the control seedlings. At 0.04mM Pb, 2.5 fold higher enzyme activities were found and the chlorophyll contents were reduced to 72%. Therefore, the increases of rice peroxidase activities might be involved in the defense mechanism of the cell against various environmental stresses such as Na$_2$SO$_3$, Cd and Pb. The effects of Cu and Fe, which are the inducers of oxidative stresses by the generations of reactive oxygen species, on the peroxidase activities were also investigated. About 57% and 65% activity losses were found at 0.5mM CuSO$_4$ and 0.5mM FeSO$_4$, respectively, and radical scavenger ethanol almost completely protected both inactivations. However, dimethyl sulfoxide, mannitol, thiourea and histidine showed different radical scavenging effects one another against Cu and Fe inactivation.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.221-230
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• 2016

Multi-functional floating wetland island (mFWI) was developed in order to prevent algal bloom and to improve water quality through several unit purification processes. A test bed was applied in the stagnant watershed in an urban area, from the summer to the winter season. For the advanced treatment, an artificial phosphorus adsorption/filtration medium was applied with micro-bubble generation, as well as water plants for nutrient removal. It appeared that the efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phosphorus (T-P) removal was higher in the warmer season (40.9%, 45.7%) than in the winter (15.9%, 20.0%), and the removal performance (suspended solid, chlorophyll a) in each process differs according to seasonal variation; micro-bubble performed better (33.1%, 39.2%) in the summer, and the P adsorption/filtration and water plants performed better (76.5%, 59.5%) in the winter season. From the results, it was understood that the mFWI performance was dependent upon the pollutant loads in different seasons and unit processes, and thus it requires continuous monitoring under various conditions to evaluate the functions. In addition, micro-bubbles helped prevent the formation of anaerobic zones in the lower part of the floating wetland. This resulted in the water circulation to form a new healthy aquatic ecosystem in the surrounding environment, which confirmed the positive influence of mFWI.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.21
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• pp.75-94
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• 2009

Since mechanical security systems are mostly composed of electronic, information and communication devices, they have effects in the aspects of overall social environment and crime-oriented environment. Also, the importance is increasing for wireless recognition of RFID and tracing function, which will be usefully utilized in controlling the incomings and outgoings of people/vehicles or allowance, surveillance and control. This is resulting from the increase in the care for the elderly according to the overall social environment, namely, the aging society, and the number of women entering, as well as the increase in the number of heinous crimes. The purpose of this study is to examine the theoretical considerations on ubiquitous sensor network and present a direction for securities companies for their development by focusing on the technological and application areas. To present strategies of response to a new environment for security companies, First, a diversification strategy is needed for security companies. The survival of only high level of security companies in accordance with the principle of liberal market competition will bring forth qualitative growth and competitiveness of security market. Second, active promotion by security companies is needed. It is no exaggeration to say that we are living in the modern society in the sea of advertisements and propaganda. The promotional activities that emphasize the areas of activity or importance of security need to be actively carried out using the mass media to change the aware of people regarding security companies, and they need to come up with a plan to simultaneously carry out the promotional activities that emphasize the public aspect of security by well utilizing the recent trend that the activities of security agents are being used as a topic in movies or TV dramas. Third, technically complementary establishment of ubiquitous sensor network and electronic tag is needed. Since they are used in mobile electronic tag services such as U-Home and U-Health Care, they are used throughout our lives by forming electronic tag environment within safe ubiquitous sensor network based on the existing privacy guideline for the support of mobile electronic tag terminal commercialization, reduction in communication and information usage costs, continuous technical development and strengthening of privacy protection, and the system of cooperation of academic-industrial-research needs to be established among the academic world and private research institutes for these parts.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.227-232
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• 2007

Purpose: To investigate the flavopiridol effect on radiation-induced apoptosis and expression of apoptosisrelated genes of human laryngeal and lung cancer cells. Materials and Methods: A human laryngeal cancer cell line, AMC-HN3 and a human lung cancer cell line, NCI-H460, were used in the study. The cells were divided into four groups according to the type of treatment: 1) control groups; 2) cells that were only irradiated; 3) cells treated only with flavopiridol; 4) cells treated with flavopiridol and radiation simultaneously. The cells were irradiated with 10 Gy of X-rays using a 4 MV linear accelerator. Flavopiridol was administered to the media at a concentration of 100 nM for 24 hours. We compared the fraction of apoptotic cells of each group 24 hours after the initiation of treatment. The fraction of apoptotic cells was detected by measurement of the sub-G1 fractions from a flow cytometric analysis. The expression of apoptosis-regulating genes, including cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), p53, p21, cyclin D1, and phosphorylated Akt (protein kinase B) were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: The sub-G1 fraction of cells was significantly increased in the combination treatment group, as compared to cells exposed to radiation alone or flavopiridol alone. Western blotting also showed an increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP expression in cells of the combination treatment group, as compared with cells exposed to radiation alone or flavopiridol alone. Treatment with flavopiridol down regulated cyclin 01 expression of both cell lines but its effect on p53 and p21 expression was different according to each individual cell line. Flavopiridol did not affect the expression of phophorylated Akt in both cell lines. Conclusion: Treatment with flavopiridol increased radiation-induced apoptosis of both the human laryngeal and lung cancer cell lines. Flavopiridol effects on p53 and p21 expression were different according to the individual cell line and it did not affect Akt activation of both cell lines.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.101-111
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was performed to observe the epidemiological pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during the period from 1993 to 2002 and also to see some clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during recent five years. Methods : We had performed a retrospective analysis of epidemiological pattern of occurrence in 682 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Department of Pediatrics of Han-il General Hospital from January, 1993 to December, 2002. Results : The annual ratio of M. pneumoniae pneumonia was compared with the total numbers of respiratory tract infection patients. The ratios were 19.1% in 1993, 13.0% in 1994, 5.6% in 1995, 12.8% in 1996, 18.6% in 1997, 22.6% in 1998, 1.1% in 1999, 13.3% in 2000, 9.1% in 2001, 6.0% in 2002, and 19.9% in 2003. The epidemics have occurred in 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2003 years showing 3~4 year intervals. The peak incidence of age was four to six years old(286 cases; 41.9%) and male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1.1. Monthly distribution showed a high frequency from August to December and the major outbreak occurred in November(119 cases; 17.4%), in October(106 cases; 15.5%), and in December(96 cases; 14.1%) in order of frequency. The most common symptoms were cough (660 cases; 96.8%), fever(569 cases; 83.4%), and sputum(522 cases; 76.5%) in that order. Leukocytosis was observed in 31.2% of patients based on a normal range according to the adjusted age. Increased ESR(${\geq}20mm/hr$) was noted in 42.5% of cases and CRP was positive in 37.8% of cases. On the chest X-ray examination, pulmonary infiltration was noted in 557 cases(81.7%), and the patterns of pneumonic infiltration were bronchopneumonia(78.0%), lobar(35.5%), lobular(19.2%), and interstitial pneumonia(28.7%). Complications were paranasal sinusitis(41 cases), acute otitis media(23 cases), pleural effusion(19 cases). cervical lymphadenitis(18 cases), and glomerulonephritis(1 case). Conclusion : The pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia from 1997 to 2003 noted 3~4 year interval with peak monthly distribution of October and November compared with 3 year interval and peak incidence of summer period before 1996.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.3 s.43
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• pp.359-370
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• 1993

To identify the smoking status and its related factors in middle and high school boys in Kwanju a study was performed from 15th to loth of June 1992. Population were selected by two-stage stratified random sampling method and total 3,959 students replied to the self-administered questionnaire survey (1,574 in middle school, 1,664 in academic high school, 712 in business high school). The results were as follows ; 1. The proportion of current smokers was 1.5% in middle schools and 20.1% in high schools. And the smoking rates increased with school grade years (p<0.01). 2. For the motivation of smoking, curiosity was the most frequent factor and the next was temptation by friends. 3. The most common situation on the first experience of smoking was that middle school boys smoked a cigarette which was found in a house, through curiosity, with friends, at home. High school boys smoked a cigarette taken from friends, through curiosity, with friend, on the road or at home. 4. The proportion of smokers who smoke a cigarette regularly was 34.8% among smokers in middle school and 70.2% among smokers in high school. The most proportion of duration of smoking was less than 1 month among middle school boys (20.8%) and more than 2 years among high school boys (43.9%). The first smoking experience was in elementary school among middle school boys and the third grade of middle school in high school students. Most current smokers (73.9% in middle school boys, 65.3% in high school boys) wanted to quit smoking. 5. Smokers had significant association with intimate friend's smoking, mother's and brother's smoking, inharmonious friendships, dissatisfied with home and school life, lower school grades, generous attitude to other smokers, lack of knowledge to passive smoking and no contact to mass media (TV) (p<0.01).

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

Purpose : There are two modalities, those are small bowel series(SBS) and abdominal pelvic computed tomography(CT), for diagnosis of small bowel disease. The aim of this study is to lend radiological technologists who are doing the two modalities assistance in the understanding characteristic of disease by comparing the two results. Meterials and method : 284 patients were examined the two SBS and abdominal pelvic CT together from 1999 to 2003. 250 ml $BaSO_4$ suspension 40 w/v% and 600ml carboxy methyl cellulose 0.5 w/v% were used for SBS. Abdominal Pelvic CT was examined in one hour before taking 450 ml $BaSO_4$ suspension 1.5 w/v%. The CT scan was done in 72 sec after 150 ml contrast media injection. the used protocol was helical mode 5:5 mm pitch 1.375:1, speed 27.50, exposure 120 kv, 240 mA, tube rotation time 0.5 sec. the statistic analysis was conducted with statistical program SPSS 10 version with frequency and crossing analysis. P-value less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results : In the results of SBS, normal findings were 131 patients(46.1%), inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) 64(22.9%), ischemia+ileocolitis+vasculitis 22(7.7%), Obstruction+stricture 21(7.7%) and Others 45(15.9%). In the results of abdominal pelvic CT, normal findings were 103 patients(36.3%), inflammatory bowel disease 65(22.9%), wall thickening+lymphadenopathy 42(14.8%), Fluid collection 17(6%), and Others 57case(20%). The same results of the two were 130patients(45.8%). 30patients(10.6%) of normal finding in SBS were diagnosed as wall thickening+lymphadenopathy and IBD in CT, and 15patients(5.3%) of normal finding in CT were diagnosed as ischemia+ileocolitis+vasculitis, mass and IBD in SBS(p<0.05). Transit time delay was diagnosed in 10patients(3.5%) on only SBS, wall thickening+lymphadenopathy was diagnosed in 20patients(7%) in only CT(p<0.05). Conclusion : We think that proper examination method will be selected in the small bowel disease, if we understand the characteristics of the disease and method.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.325-334
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• 2009

Purpose : This study was conducted to assess how effective the permeability ratio and relative cerebral blood volume ratio are to tumor through perfusion MRI by measuring and reflecting the grade assessment and differential diagnosis and the permeability and relative cerebral blood volume of contrast media plunged from blood vessel into organ due to breakdown of blood-brain barrier in cerebral. Subject and Method : Subject of study was 29 patients whose diagnosis were confirmed by biopsy after surgery and 550 (11 slice$\times$50 image) perfusion MRI were used to make image of relative cerebral blood volume with the program furnished on instrument. The other method was to transmit to private computer and the image analysis was made additionally by making image of relative cerebral blood volume-reformulated singular value decomposition, rCBV-rSVD and permeability using IDL.6.2. In addition, Kruskal-wallis test tonggyein non numerical average by a comparative analysis of brain tumors Results : The rCBV ratio (Functool PF; GE Medical Systems and IDL 6.2 program by analysis) and permeability ratio of tumors were as follows; high grade glioma(n=4), (14.75, 19.25) 13.13. low grade astrocytoma(n=5) (14.80, 15.90) 11.60, glioblastoma(n=5) (10.90, 18.60), 22.00, metastasis(n=6) (11.00, 15.08). 22.33. meningioma(n=6) (18.58, 7.67), 5.58. oliogodendroglioma(n=3) (23.33, 16.33, 15.67. Conclusion : It was not easy to classify the grade with the relative cerebral blood volume ratio measured by using the relative cerebral blood image by type of tumors, however, permeability ratio measured by permeability image revealed that the higher the grade of tumor, the higher the measured permeability ratio, showing the assessment of tumor grade is more effective to differential diagnosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.21-33
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the effect of Rhei Rhizoma (RR; 大黃) water extract on gene expression in a hypoxia model of cultured rat hippocampal neurons. RR water extract $(2.5{\mu}g/ml)$ was added to the culture media on day 10 in vitro (DIV10), and a hypoxic shock (2% $O_2$/5% $CO_2$, $37^{\circ}C$, 3 h) was given on DIV13. After maintaining the cultures in normoxia for 24 hr, total RNA was isolated and used for microarray analysis. The MA-plot indicated that most genes were up- or downregulated within 2-fold. There were more downregulated genes (725 ea) than upregulated ones (472 ea) when larger than Global M value 0.2 (i.e., >15% increase) or smaller than Global M value -0.2 (i.e., >15% decrease) were considered. Antiapoptosis genes such as Tegt (2.4-fold), Nfkb1 (2.4-fold) Veg (1.8-fold), Ngfr (1.6-fold) were upregulated, while pro-apoptosis genes such as Bad (-64%), Cstb (-66%) were downregulated. Genes for combating environmental stress (stress response genes) such as Defb3 (2.7-fold), Cygb (2.2-fold), Ahsg (2.18-fold), Alox5 (2-fold) were upregulated. Genes for cell proliferation (cell cycle-related genes) such as Erbb2 (1.84-fold), Mapk12 gene (1.8-fold) was upregulated. Therefore, RR water extracts upregulate many pro-survival genes while downregulating many pro-death genes. It is interpreted that these genes, in combination with other regulated genes, can promote neuronal survival in a stress such as hypoxia.