• Title/Summary/Keyword: Objective Indicator

Search Result 452, Processing Time 0.028 seconds

Stability and Intra-Individual Variation of Urinary Malondialdehyde and 2-Naphthol

  • Lee, Kyoung-Ho;Kang, Dae-Hee
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
    • /
    • v.41 no.3
    • /
    • pp.195-199
    • /
    • 2008
  • Objectives : Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation by-product, has been widely used as an indicator of oxidative stress. Urinary 2-naphthol, a urinary PAH metabolite, is used as a marker of ambient particulate exposure and is associated with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the stability and intra-individual variation associated with urinary MDA and 2-naphthol have not been thoroughly addressed. The objective of this study was to assess the stability and intra-individual variation associated with urinary MDA and 2-naphthol. Methods : Urine samples were collected from 10 healthy volunteers (mean age 34, range $27{\sim}42$ years old). Each sample was divided into three aliquots and stored under three different conditions. The levels of urinary MDA and 2-naphthol were analyzed 1) just after sampling, 2) after storage at room temperature ($21^{\circ}C$) for 16 hours, and 3) after storage in a $-20^{\circ}C$ freezer for 16 hours. In addition, an epidemiological study was conducted in 44 Chinese subjects over a period of 3 weeks. The urinary MDA and 2-naphthol were measured by HPLC three times. Results : There was no difference in the levels of urinary MDA and 2-naphthol between the triplicate measurements (n=10, p=0.84 and p=0.83, respectively). The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) for urinary MDA and 2-naphthol were 0.74 and 0.42, respectively. However, the levels of PM2.5 in the air were well correlated with the levels of both MDA and 2-naphthol in the epidemiological study. Conclusions : These results suggest that urinary MDA and 2-naphthol remain stable under variable storage conditions, even at room temperature for 16 hours, and indicate that these markers can be used in epidemiological studies involving various sample storage conditions. The intra-CC of urinary 2-naphthol and MDA were acceptable for application to epidemiological studies.

Analysis on Relationship between FWD Back-calculated Modulus and Dynamic Modulus of Asphalt Layers for Existing Asphalt Pavements (공용중인 아스팔트 포장의 아스팔트층 동탄성계수와 FWD 역산 탄성계수의 상관관계 분석)

  • Park, Hee Mun;Park, Hong Joon
    • International Journal of Highway Engineering
    • /
    • v.17 no.5
    • /
    • pp.25-31
    • /
    • 2015
  • PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between the FWD back-calculated modulus and dynamic modulus of asphalt layers for existing asphalt pavements. METHODS: To evaluate the dynamic modulus of the asphalt mixture in the existing and new asphalt layers, the uniaxial direct tension test was conducted on small asphalt specimens obtained from the existing asphalt-covered pavements. A dynamic modulus master curve was estimated by using the uniaxial direct tension test for each asphalt layer. The falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing was conducted on the test sections, and the modulus values of pavement layers were back-calculated using the genetic algorithm and the finite element method based back-calculation program. The relationship between measured and back-calculated asphalt layer moduli was examined in this study. The normalized dynamic modulus was adopted to predict the stiffness characteristics of asphalt layers more accurately. RESULTS: From this study, we can conclude that there is no close relationship between dynamic modulus of first layer and back-calculated asphalt modulus. The dynamic moduli of second and third asphalt layers have some relation with asphalt stiffness. Test results also showed that the normalized dynamic modulus of the asphalt mixture is closely related to the FWD back-calculated modulus with 0.73 of R square value. CONCLUSIONS: The back-calculated modulus of asphalt layer can be used as an indicator of the stiffness characteristics of asphalt layers in the asphalt-covered pavements.

Inhibitory Effects of Sophora Flavescens on the Pancreatic & Cardiac Side Effects of Chemotherapy by Cisplatin (고삼이 항암제 cisplatin의 췌$\cdot$심장 부작용 감소에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Jin-Cheo;Lim, Seong-Chul;Jung, Tae-Young;Seo, Jung-Chul;Han, Sang-Won
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
    • /
    • v.19 no.4
    • /
    • pp.945-949
    • /
    • 2005
  • The objective of this study is to investigate the inhibitor effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens on the pancreatic & cardiac side effects of chemotherapy were studied by using Bl6-BL6 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. In this study, the effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens, on the side effects of chemotherapy were studied using B16 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Anticancer drugs widely used in clinical situation. Sophora flavescen has significant effect on the reduction of the side effects of chemotherapy. Water extract of Sophora flavescens significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced increase of amylase (AMY) which is a good indicator of pancreatic toxicity. Sophora flavescens extract does not decrease the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin showing that it can selectively inhibit side effects of anticancer drugs preserving beneficial effect. Theses results suggest a possibility that Sophora flavescens extract can be used for cancer patients for the reduction of the side effects and improving the quality of life during chemotherapy of cancer patients.

The Trend and Task of Korean Tourism Geography (한국 관광지리학의 연구 동향과 과제)

  • Moon, Young-Cheol
    • Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
    • /
    • v.3 no.2
    • /
    • pp.89-103
    • /
    • 1997
  • This Study is an analysis of the tourism geography for Past thirty years and an indicator for the future. I searched for the specificity by classifying of subjects, periods, and Researcher's achievements and tendencies. The Results are followings: (1) Sightseeing places are superior to visitors in research activities. Research activities are outstanding in developing sightseeing site and Its effect as well as geographical research about city and hot spring. The research activity to tourist was occupied a great number tourist behaviour to tourism place but the research was insufficied somewhat inhabitants in tourism place. (2) According to the period and results analysis. The period of domestic study is divided in to 3 steps. 1970s are said to be the pre-step for developing, 1980s are said to be growth step, but 1990s are considered as the age of maturity in the multiful research realm and broad theme. Finally, I think it is difficult to analyse total outcome to the tourism geography by limited data. This study will be evidencied on the objective standard by multiful data in nearly future because this indwelled in the subjectivity on the subject choice and process of the object classification.

  • PDF

The Integrated Assessment Model for the Conservation of Natural Environment - Focused on Site Selection for the National Trust - (자연환경 보전을 위한 통합 평가모형 - 내셔널 트러스트 후보지 선정을 중심으로 -)

  • Jung, Sung-Gwan;You, Ju-Han
    • Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
    • /
    • v.12 no.2
    • /
    • pp.87-98
    • /
    • 2003
  • The main purpose of this study is to propose the integrated assessment model for the rational and effective selection of proposed sites in National Trust (NT) and conserve the ruined natural environment by excessive land development. The results of this study are as follows; 1) The specialists thought that rare and endangered species were very important in plant and animal, in case of landscape and environment, naturality and water quality were too important. 2) In the result of the correlation measure on the indicator of assessment, 'erosion of soil'and 'air pollutant'was highly correlative. Secondly, 'suspended solids' and 'erosion of soil'was high correlation. 3) In the result of forming the factors into the integrated indicators, they were classified into conditional, stable, valuable and potential factors and the purpose of this formation is to evaluate proposed sites in NT objectively and rationally with organic assessment. 4) In the integrated assessment model, the degree of explanation was observed approximately 36.4% and the important factor was the conditional factor, but we have to consider all factors for the effective and objective assessment. Therefore we organically have to apply and use them for the assessment of proposed sites in NT. It turns out to offer raw data on the land conservation and carry out the role of the instrument of measurement. As for future directions, the follow are proposed: 1) adaptation of real proposed site, 2) verification of effect and problem, 3) practical survey for diverse types as mountain, coast and inland.

The Common Patterns of Multimorbidity and Its Impact on Healthcare Cost in Korea (복합만성질환의 흔한 유형과 의료비에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Chang-Hoon;Hwang, Inkyung;Yoo, Weon-Seob
    • Health Policy and Management
    • /
    • v.24 no.3
    • /
    • pp.219-227
    • /
    • 2014
  • Background: Current trends in Korea population aging with advances in public health and clinical medicine foretell rises in the prevalence of not only chronic diseases but also patients with multimorbidity. One important aspect in analyzing multimorbidity is to define the list of chronic diseases included when calculating multimorbidity index. The objective of this study is to describing the effect of multimorbidity on healthcare cost in Korea using US Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) list. Methods: We analyzed the Korea Health Panel Data representing non-institutionalized Korean adult populations aged 20 and more. We calculated multimorbidity index based on OASH list and estimated the prevalence and healthcare cost for each OASH chronic disease. Results: In 2011, 15.2 million (39.6%) Koreans aged 20 and more were living with chronic condition. The health care cost due to chronic diseases, accounted for 80.2% of the overall healthcare costs and the prevalence of chronic conditions, the prevalence of multimorbidity and healthcare cost increased with ages. In the analysis using OASH list, 40% of the adult population over the age of 20 and 66.7% of the population over the age of 65 was affected with multimorbidity. In most of diseases in OASH list, prevalence of mulitmorbidity was high and healthcare cost increased with multimorbidity. Conclusion: OASH chronic disease list that accounts for 72.4% of prevalence and 86.7% of healthcare cost of persons with chronic conditions in Korea. OASH chronic disease list would be a useful and representative indicator for studying multimorbidity.

Stakeholder Survey on the Incentive Program to Promote the Adoption of Health Information Exchange (진료정보교류 인센티브사업에 대한 이해관계자 조사연구)

  • Park, Hayoung;Ock, Minsu;Park, Jong Son;Lee, Hye Rin;Kim, Soomin;Lee, Sang-il
    • Journal of Information Technology Services
    • /
    • v.16 no.3
    • /
    • pp.17-45
    • /
    • 2017
  • Health Information Exchange (HIE) is expected to improve the quality and efficiency of care by allowing providers online access to healthcare information generated by other providers at the point of care. However, the adoption of the technology in Korea has been slow since its pilot program in 2007~2010 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The objective of this study was to survey stakeholders on the incentive program for the facilitation of HIE adoption. We surveyed 39 experts representing 6 categories of stakeholders-provider, insurer, government, information service firms, customers, and medical informatics experts for the interviews. Interview questions included program objectives, program participation requirements, incentive payment method, and administrative burden for program participation. Experts indicated that the quality of care was the most important value the program should aim to achieve through the HIE adoption. They suggested that the requirements and administrative burden for participation should be kept at minimum to recruit a large number of providers to the program, which is an indicator of program success. Experts were divided on the payment method whether the incentive should be paid as a part of the fee payment scheme operated by the National Health Insurance (NHI) or should be a payment made independent of the NHI. The source of the divide was conflict of interest among stakeholders as to who pays for the program, and the insurer and consumer groups were against the NHI taking the financial burden. It appeared to be the most significant factor for the successful program launching to resolve the gap in perceptions about benefits of the technology among stakeholders and to win the willingness to pay for the program.

MALDI-MS-Based Quantitative Analysis of Bioactive Forms of Vitamin D in Biological Samples

  • Ahn, Da-Hee;Kim, Hee-jin;Kim, Seong-Min;Jo, Sung-Hyun;Jeong, Jae-Hyun;Kim, Yun-Gon
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
    • /
    • v.58 no.1
    • /
    • pp.106-112
    • /
    • 2020
  • Analyzing vitamin D levels is important for monitoring health conditions because vitamin D deficiency is associated with various diseases such as rickets, osteomalacia, cardiovascular disorders and some cancers. However, vitamin D concentration in the blood is very low with optimal level of 75 nmol/L, making quantitative analysis difficult. The objective of this study was to develop a highly sensitive analysis method for vitamin D using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), which has been used as an indicator of vitamin D metabolites in human biofluids was chemically derivatized using a secosteroid signal enhancing tag (SecoSET) with powerful dienophile and permanent positive charge. The SecoSET-derivatized 25(OH)D provided good linearity (R2 > 0.99) and sensitivity (limit of quantitation: 11.3 fmol). Chemical derivatization of deuterated 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (d6-25(OH)D3) with SecoSET enabled absolute quantitative analysis using MALDI-MS. The highly sensitive method could be successfully applied into monitoring of quantitative changes of bioactive vitamin D metabolites after treatment with ketoconazole to inhibit 1α-hydroxylase reaction related to vitamin D metabolism in human breast cancer cells. Taken together, we developed a MALDI-MS-based platform that could quantitatively analyze vitamin D metabolites from cell products, blood and other biofluids. This platform may be applied to monitor various diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency such as rickets, osteomalacia and breast cancer.

Study on the Calculation of International ICT Network Indices (방송통신망 국제지수 산정에 관한 연구)

  • Jeong, Woo-Soo;Kim, Seung-Keon
    • The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
    • /
    • v.36 no.12B
    • /
    • pp.1537-1547
    • /
    • 2011
  • With the development of ICT technology, the broadcasting and communication networks of Korea have been bigger, faster and more reliable and Korea has become one of the leading countries in the ICT industry. Through the international ICT indices, we can see different economies' ICT industry competitiveness at a glance and high ranking in such indices can make national brand image improve. However almost all the existing international ICT indices mainly focused on the telecommunication industry, not on the broadcasting industry. This study thus aims to develop a new index focusing on broadcasting and communication networks. This new index is composed of 3 sectors such as access, usage and environment with different weight respectively and using objective indicators. This study also aims to contribute to improve Korea's national brand image by developing new systematic and effective broadcasting and communication index.

Comparison of microbial communities in swine manure at various temperatures and storage times

  • Lim, Joung-Soo;Yang, Seung Hak;Kim, Bong-Soo;Lee, Eun Young
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.31 no.8
    • /
    • pp.1373-1380
    • /
    • 2018
  • Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of temperature and storage time on the evolution of bacterial communities in swine manure. Methods: Manure was stored at $-20^{\circ}C$, $4^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, or $37^{\circ}C$ and sampled at 7-day intervals over 28 days of storage, for a total of 5 time points. To assess the bacterial species present, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences were analyzed using pyrosequencing. Results: After normalization, 113,934 sequence reads were obtained, with an average length of $466.6{\pm}4.4bp$. The diversity indices of the communities reduced as temperature and storage time increased, and the slopes of rarefaction curves decreased from the second week in samples stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$. These results indicate that the richness of the bacterial community in the manure reduced as temperature and storage time increased. Firmicutes were the dominant phylum in all samples examined, ranging from 89.3% to 98.8% of total reads, followed by Actinobacteria, which accounted for 0.6% to 7.9%. A change in community composition was observed in samples stored at $37^{\circ}C$ during the first 7 days, indicating that temperature plays an important role in determining the microbiota of swine manure. Clostridium, Turicibacter, Streptococcus, and Lactobacillus within Firmicutes, and Corynebacterium within Actinobacteria were the most dominant genera in fresh manure and all stored samples. Conclusion: Based on our findings, we propose Clostridium as an indicator genus of swine manure decomposition in an anaerobic environment. The proportions of dominant genera changed in samples stored at $20^{\circ}C$ and $37^{\circ}C$ during the fourth week. Based on these results, it was concluded that the microbial communities of swine manure change rapidly as storage time and temperature increase.