• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.402-410
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and malignant rate of incidental asymmetric palatine tonsillar uptake (ATU) on $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT in various clinical indications and to evaluate the clinical and PET/CT findings suggesting malignancy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a total of 2,901 patients ($58.4{\pm}12.3$ yrs, range 20~88 yrs, M:F = 1,841:1,060) who underwent $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT during an 1-year period with various indications except primary tonsillar cancer and lymphoma evaluation. On $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT, metabolic abnormality of the palatine tonsil and cervical lymph node were visually assessed. ATU was defined as increased palatine tonsillar uptake with diffuse, focal, or irregular pattern compared to contralateral side. The incidence and malignant ratio of ATU were evaluated according to clinical and PET/CT findings. Results: Of 2,901 cases, 290(10,0%) showed ATU. The incidence of ATU showed seasonal variation and was high in the winter (12.1%). Of 209 cases with ATU confirmed pathologically and/or clinically, five (2.4%) were malignant lesions. ATU with irregular uptake pattern (2/2) and in cases referred for cervical lymph node metastasis of unknown origin (3/5) were frequently associated with malignant lesion (p<0.05). Conclusion: ATU was not infrequently observed on $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT, and the malignant risk of ATU was low. However, ATU with cervical lymph node metastasis or with irregular pattern on PET/CT would be further evaluated by the histopathologic examination.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2011

The present survey was conducted to provide basic information on automatic milking system (AMS) in relation to purchase motive, milk yield and quality, customer satisfaction, difficulties of operation and customer suggestions, etc. Purchase motives of AMS were insufficient labor (44%), planning of dairy experience farm (25%), better performance of high yield cows (19%) and others (6%), respectively. Average cow performance after using AMS was 30.9l/d for milk yield, 3.9% for milk fat, 9,100/ml for bacterial counts. Sixty-eight percentage of respondents were very positive in response to AMS use for their successors but 18% were negative. The AMS operators were owner (44%), successor (44%), wife (6%) and company worker (6%), respectively. The most difficulty (31%) in using AMS was operating the system and complicated program manual. The rate of response to system error and breakdown was 25%. The reasons for culling cow after using AMS were mastitis (28%), reproduction failure (19%), incorrect teat placement (12%), metabolic disease (7%) and others (14%), respectively. Fifty-six percentages of the respondents made AMS maintenance contract and 44% did not. Average annual cost of the maintenance contract was 6,580,000 won. Average score for AMS satisfaction measurement (1 to 5 range) was 3.2 with decrease of labor cost 3.7, company A/S 3.6, increase of milk yield 3.2 and decrease of somatic cell count 2.8, respectively. Suggestions for the higher efficiency in using AMS were selecting cows with correct udder shape and teat placement, proper environment, capital and land, and attitude for continuous observation. Systematic consulting was highly required for AMS companies followed by low cost for AMS setup and systematization of A/S.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.980-987
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• 2003

In this report, we investigated the detoxication effects of Saururus chinenis, Geranium nepalense, Lonicera japonica, Cassia obtusifolia, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, or their mixtures by employing acute toxicity tests for nicotine and dioxin. When fatal doses $(LD_{100}\;=\;42\;mg/kg)$ of nicotine were injected into the abdominal cavities of ICR mice, those treated with OHEM showed delayed paralysis, half the duration of hyperactivity, and a 73 % survival rate. The results revealed the strong detoxicating effects of the mixtures. We also measured the amount of the degradation product of nicotine and cotinine in humans. Consumption of OHEM promoted (he more specific) the metabolic pathways of nicotine, increasing continine excretion by 1.5 times. As a result the amount of cotinine in urine was reduced to less than 5% after treatment with OHEM. In order to test the toxicity of dioxin, we used TcnN(SD)BR rats exposed to TCDD. While TCDD treatment reduced the blood levels of hemoglobin and platelet, OHEM consumption relieved these effects and, furthermore, helped to recover the number of platelet to the normal level (p<0.05). Moreover, neutrophils (%) and monocytes (%), which were reduced by the injection of TCDD, recovered to normal levels upon treatment with OHEM. The amount albumin reduced by TCDD (p<0.05) normalized, while the activities of GOT and GTP increased by TCDD were reduced. Increases in total cholesterol and neutral fatty acids induced by TCDD were also reduced by OHEM injection (p<0.05). In the kidney, TCDD-induced rises in creatinine were suppressed by OHEM treatment, while decreases in iron levels from TCDD were raised to normal. The treatment of TCDD had more toxic effects in the blood and pancreas than on the liver, kidney and heart. On the other hand, the detoxication of OHEM had significant effects on the liver and pancreas. The normalization by OHEM of various clinical abnormalities induced by TCDD demonstrates the detoxicating effect of OHEM that ameliorates systemic metabolism not properly functioning.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.294-306
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• 1995

There has recently been increasing interest in the use of NMDA receptor antagonists as potential neuroprotective agents for the treatment of ischemic stroke. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the selective non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 in focal cerebral ischemia, local cerebral glucose utilization (ICGU) was examined in 15 neuroanatomically discrete regions of the conscious rat brain using the 2-deoxy-D[$^{14}C$] glucose quantitative autoradiographic technique 24 hr after left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Animals received MK-801 (5 mg/kg i.v.) or saline vehicle before (20-30 min) or after (30 min) MCAO. Both pretreatment and posttreatment of MK-801 increased occluded/non-occluded ICGU ratio in 7 and 5 of the 15 regions measured, respectively (most notably in cortical structures). Following MK-801 pretreatment, there was evidence of widespread increases in ICGU not only in the non-occluded hemisphere (12 of the 15 areas studied) but also in the occluded hemisphere (13 of the 15 areas studied), while MK-801 postreatment did not significantly increase ICGU both in the normal and occluded hemispheres. These data indicate that MK-801 has a neuroprotective effect in focal cerebral ischemia and demonstrate that MK-801 provides widespread alterations of glucose utilization in conscious animals.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.98-105
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• 2004

Purpose : To evaluate whether positron omission tomography (PET) with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-giucose(FDG) can be used to predict of early response to definitive aim radlotherapy (RT) in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck using response rate and locoreglonal control as study endpoints. Materials and Methods : Twenty-two patients with head and neck cancer underwent a FDG-PET study before RT, after a flrst dose of 45 Gy, and after a second dose on more 4han 70 Gy. Standard uptake value (SUV) was calculated for primary tumor (n=22) and neck lymph node (n:10). Attenuation corrected PET scans acquired 60 min after tracer injection were used for evaluation of FDG uptake In tumors. A quantitative FDG uptake index was expressed as Suvlean (corrected for iean body mass). The follow-up time was at least 5 months (range S-1 S months). Results : A total of 22 primary tumors and 10 metastatic lymph nodes were analyzed In FDG-PET. In the first PET study the mean SUVlean the primary tumors and nodes were 5.4 (SD, 2.5) and 4.6 (SD, 2.3), respectively. In the second PET, study peformed after 46 Gy RT the mean SUV in primary tumor and node decreased to 2.9 (SD, 1.9, p<0.001) and 1.7 (SD, 1.3) respectively. in the third PET study peformed at the full dose (more than 70 Gy), RT the mean SUV In the primary tumors and nodes decreased to 2.3 (SD, 1.5, p<0.001) and 1.5 (SD, 1 .1) respectively. Conclusions: FDG uptake In tumors showed a significant decrease after the 45 Gy and more than 70 Gy of RT for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Reduction of metabolic activity after 46 Gy of radiotherapy Is closely correlated with radiation response.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.300-306
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• 2010

Purpose : Recent changes in the population structure of Korea, such as rapid decline in birth rate and exponential increase in old-aged people, prompted us to prepare a new health improvement program in children and adolescents. Methods : We reviewed current health screenings applied for children and adolescents in Korea and other developed countries. We collected and reviewed population-based data focused on mortality and morbidity, and other health-related statistical data. We generated problem lists in current systems and developed new principles. Results : Current health screening programs for children and adolescents were usually based on laboratory tests, such as blood tests, urinalysis, and radiologic tests. Almost all of these programs lacked evidence based on population data or controlled studies. In most developed countries, laboratory tests are used only very selectively, and they usually focus on primary prevention of diseases and health improvement using anticipatory guidance. In Korea, statistics on mortality and morbidity reveal that diseases related to lifestyle, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, are increasing in all generations. Conclusion : We recommend a periodic health screening program with anticipatory guidance, which is focused on growth and developmental surveillance in infants and children. We no longer recommend old programs that are based on laboratory and radiologic examinations. School health screening programs should also be changed to meet current health issues, such as developing a healthier lifestyle to minimize risk behaviors—or example, good mental health, balanced nutrition, and more exercise.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.335-340
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was designed to determine the effects of a school-based obesity-management program on obese primary school children. Methods : A total of 995 children (6-2 years old) in a primary school were screened in March 2008, and of those, 101 obese students (44 boys and 57 girls, body mass index (BMI) ${\geq}95$ percentile) were enrolled for a study group. The schoo-lbased, obesity management program, which includes physical exercise and nutritional education, was conducted as part of an extracurricular program for 12 weeks. The measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed before and after the program.Results : Height and weight increased significantly (P <0.05). The BMI and obesity index decreased significantly (P <0.01). Systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly (P <0.01). BMI decreased in 61.4% of boys and 66.7% of girls. Protein and basal metabolic rate (BMR) increased significantly on the BIA (P <0.01). Fat decreased significantly (P <0.05). The total body water (TBW) and percent body fat (PBF) decreased significantly (P <0.01). The changes in protein, fat, TBW, PBF, and BMR significantly correlated to the change in BMI (P <0.05). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, BMI change was significantly correlated to the changes in protein and fat content (P <0.01). Conclusion : The school-based obesity management program is a very effective way to manage obesity for obese primary school children.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.496-504
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• 1997

This study was carried out to estimate toxic effects of phenol on survival and metabolism of the abalone juvenile, Haliotis discus hannai. The experiment was conducted by renewal bioassay procedure with different salinities at $20^{\circ}C$. The $LC_{50}$ of the juvenile exposed to phenol in the range of 0.5 and $100mg/\ell\;was\;34.3\~6.5mg/\ell\;at\;2.4\%_{\circ}\;and\;52.2\~9.3m/\ell\;at\;32\%_{\circ}$ salinity with exposure time from 24 hours to 96 hours. $LT_{50}$ was remarkablely reduced with increase of phenol conentration and decrease of salinity. Lethal toxicity or phenol was higher at low salinity than at high salinity. Therefore, salinity is likely to be one of factor to increase phenol toxicity. The oxygen consumption of the juvenile was reduced with increase of phenol concentration and with decrease of salinity. In spite of phenol toxicity, the oxygen consumption of the juvenile exposed to phenol of low concentration was high and similar as compared with that of control group. Survival rates of the abalone kept in phenol-free sea water after exposure to phenol concentration of 5, 10 and $20mg/\ell$ for 96 hours were reduced with decrease of salinity. Durations required to recover the normal metabolic rate of the juvenile, which was exposed to phenol concentration of 5, 10 and $20mg/\ell$ for 96 hours, were made longer with increasing phenol concentration. In the case of the juvenile exposed to sublethal concentration of phenol for 15 days, it were elongated as compared with that of the abalone exposed to phenol concentration caused acute toxicity. The result of this experiment indicated that relatively low concentration of phenol can impact on the abalone juvenile in marine ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.1208-1214
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• 2011

Caffeine, a psychoactive stimulant, has been implicated in the modulation of learning and memory functions due to its action as a non-selective adenosine receptors antagonist. On the contrary, some side effects of caffeine have been reported, such as an increased energy loss and metabolic rate, decrease DNA synthesis in the spleen, and increased oxidative damage to exerted on LDL particles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a safe stimulant from natural plants mixture (Aralia elata, Acori graminei Rhizoma, Chrysanthemum, Dandleion, Guarana, Shepherd's purse) that can be used as a substitute for caffeine. Thirty SD rats were divided into three groups; control group, caffeine group (15.0 mg/kg, i.p.), and natural plants mixture group (NP, 1 mL/kg, p.o.). The effect of NP extract on stimulant activity was evaluated with open-field test (OFT) and plus maze test for measurement of behavioral profiles. Plasma lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation in LDL (conjugated dienes), total antioxidant capacity (TRAP) and DNA damage in white blood, liver, and brain cells were measured. In the OFT, immobility time was increased significantly by acute (once) and chronic (3 weeks) supplementation of NP and showed a similar effect to caffeine treatment. Three weeks of caffeine treatment caused plasma lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in liver cells, whereas there were no changes in the NP group. NP group showed a higher plasma HDL cholesterol concentration compared to the caffeine group. The results indicate that the natural plants mixture had a stimulant effect without inducing oxidative stress.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 2017

Purposes: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that requires continuous care in order to prevent complications, as it can impose a critical burden on families and society due to various complications, including terminal renal failure, non-traumatic lower extremity amputation, and adult blindness. The usual sources of care are "specified private clinics, public health centers, or other facilities to visit when ill or when health-related advice is needed". These usual sources of care offer preventative services, have a high overall satisfaction rate in terms of public health care, and decrease the inpatient rates and medical costs of medical aid recipients. This study analyzed the current status of diabetic patients over 20 years of age based on their possession of a usual source of care, and the effects of this possession on the frequency of their medical service usage and its costs. Methodology: Based on data from the 7th Korea Health Panel, a Tobit analysis was used to analyze the different factors that can affect the frequency of medical service usage and its costs for diabetic patients with and without a usual source of care. Findings: The medical costs of diabetic patients with a usual source of care decreased in terms of inpatient, and the outpatient visits and inpatient costs of the group with a usual source of care in the form of a mainly-visiting doctor decreased more than those of the group with a mainly-visiting medical institution only. Practical Implications: Having a usual source of care can increase the treatment continuity, leading to reduced inpatient, and having a mainly-visiting doctor as the usual source of care further increases the treatment continuity. Based on these results, a new policy is needed to increase and strengthen diabetic patients? possession of a usual source of care.