• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.217-221
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether school-aged children with Kawasaki disease (KD) have an increased risk for early atherosclerosis. Methods: The study included 98 children. The children were divided into the following groups: group A (n=19), KD with coronary arterial lesions that persisted or regressed; group B (n=49), KD without coronary arterial lesions; and group C (n=30), healthy children. Anthropometric variables and the levels of biochemical markers, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, homocysteine, highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and brachial artery stiffness using pulse wave velocity were compared among the three groups. Results: There were no significant differences in blood pressure and body index among the three groups. Additionally, there was no sex-specific difference. Moreover, the levels of triglyceride, HDL-C, apolipoprotein A, and hs-CRP did not differ among the three groups. However, the levels of total cholesterol (P =0.018), LDL-C (P =0.0003), and apolipoprotein B (P =0.029) were significantly higher in group A than in group C. Further, the level of homocysteine and the aortic pulse wave velocity were significantly higher in groups A and B than in group C (P=0.0001). Conclusion: School-aged children after KD have high lipid profiles and arterial stiffness indicating an increased risk for early atherosclerosis.

• Korean Journal of Family Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.347-354
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• 2018

Background: BMI alone may not serve as an index of obesity because it does not reflect body composition. The present study aimed to compare arterial stiffness as assessed by the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) among groups defined by body fat percentage (pBF) and BMI. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on 1,700 participants (1,044 men and 656 women) who completed a health screening examination at a national hospital between January 2011 and February 2016. Participants were divided into four groups according to BMI and pBF: normal fat and normal weight (NFNW); excessive fat and normal weight (EFNW); normal fat and obese (NFO); and excessive fat and obese (EFO). The ba-PWV and other cardiometabolic factors were compared among the four groups in men and women separately. Results: For both sexes, the NFNW group had a lower metabolic risk compared to that in the other groups (EFNW, NFO, and EFO). After adjusting for multiple variables, the NFO males had a significantly lower ba-PWV compared to those in the other groups, including NFNW males. The NFO group had significantly more skeletal muscle mass and muscle mass compared the other groups (P<0.05). Among women, the NFNW group had a significantly lower ba-PWV compared the other groups, even after adjusting for multiple variables. Conclusion: Lower pBF in obese men may be associated with improved cardiovascular risk.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.115-130
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• 2015

Extended elastic impedance (EEI) is an extension of elastic impedance (EI) which is a generalization of acoustic impedance (AI) for nonzero angles of incidence and can be tuned to be proportional to reservoir properties. In this study, we evaluated EEI inversion by estimating the P-($V_p$) and S-wave velocities ($V_s$), P-wave to S-wave velocity ratio ($V_p/V_s$), and Poisson's ratio of the Second Wall Creek Sand of the Teapot Dome field, Wyoming, USA. We also applied the EEI inversion technique to estimate porosity, gamma-ray values, and density of the Second Wall Creek Sand. Data used in the study include 3-D pre-stack seismic data from the southern part of the field and four wells, selected from a large well database. The $V_s$ logs at the wells were constructed from the $V_p$ logs using the empirical relationships. The percent prediction errors for the four velocity properties are less than about 5% except for Poisson's ratio at one well, supporting that the EEI inversion can be used in the prediction of rock properties. However, the results from the EEI inversion analysis of porosity, gamma-ray values, and density at the wells were unsatisfactory and thus these properties, which are not directly computed from velocities, may not be suitable for EEI inversion.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.271-275
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• 2016

Purpose: A limited number of studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical presentation in pediatric Guillain-$Barr{\acute{e}}$ syndrome (GBS). Therefore, this study examined the importance of F-wave abnormalities as a prognostic factor in pediatric GBS patients. Methods: The records and electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) of 70 GBS patients were retrospectively evaluated, and divided into 2 groups according to the results of EDS. Group A (n=33) presented with F-wave abnormalities, and group B (n=26) exhibited normal findings. We compared laboratory reports, clinical features, response to treatment, and prognosis between the 2 groups. Results: Motor weakness was the most frequently observed symptom for either group. Clinically, the incidence of fever and upper respiratory symptoms differed between the 2 groups, while the prevalence of abnormal deep tendon reflex (DTR) was significantly higher in group A than B (P<0.05). Patients diagnosed with GBS had received intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: 94% in group A and 58% in group B. Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of patients in group A showed H-reflex abnormalities and poor prognosis compared with group B (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that F-waves are a clinically important prognostic factor in GBS. F-wave abnormalities were associated with abnormal DTR and poor prognosis in patients. Limited studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical results; therefore, further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the clinical characteristics and efficacy of treatments.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.273-282
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• 1993

This study is concerned with the temperature dependence characteristics of ultrasound parameters in biological tissues, which are basic on the noninvasive deep body temperature estimation. Used parameters are ultrasonic attenuation coefficient and sound velocity In order to accomplishment our purpose, several signal processing methods were used. Attenua4iorl coefficient was estimated by spectral difference method and sound velocity was estimated by P-P method. And we also examined these methods through a series of IN VITRO experi mentis that used tissue-mimicking phantom samples and biological tissue samples. In order to imitate the biological soft tissue two kinds of phantom samples are used, one is agar phantom sample which is composed of agar, graphite, N-propyl alcohol and distilled water, and the other is fat phantom sample which is composed of pure animal fat. And the ultrasound transmission mode and reflection mode experiments are performed on the pig's spleen, kidney and fat. As a result, it is found that the temperature characteristics are uniform in case of phan- tom samples but not in biological tissues because of complicate wave propagation within them. Consequently, the possibility of temperature measurement using ultrasound on biological tissue is confirmed and its results may contribute to the establishment of reference values of internal temperature measurement of biological tissues.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2021

A 6-year-old, spayed female, Maltese dog with tachypnea and dry cough was presented to Gyeongsang National University Veterinary Medical Teaching hospital. On physical examination, its respiration rate was 132 per minute. Decreased partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and hyperlactatemia were found on arterial blood gas analysis. Its diastolic blood pressure was 80 mmHg. Auscultation revealed arrhythmia. Electrocardiogram revealed P pulmonale, P mitrale, and ventricular premature complexes. Thoracic radiographs revealed mild enlargement of both atrium and moderate enlargement of the left ventricular. There was also a moderate alveolar pattern in the right and caudal part of the left cranial lung lobe. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed enlargement of generalized four chambers without remarkable findings of valvular degeneration. M-mode echocardiography showed decreased left ventricular fractional shortening and enlarged left ventricular internal diameter at both end-systolic and end-diastolic. Color-flow Doppler imaging revealed eccentric turbulent flow starting below the left ventricular outflow tract and extending into the left atrium during systole. Spectral Doppler recordings revealed a high velocity flow through the mitral, tricuspid, aorta, and pulmonic regurgitation. Restrictive transmitral flow revealed high E-wave velocity, short E-wave deceleration time, and reduced A-wave velocity. There was also low ejection velocity thorough left ventricular out tract flow. Based on echocardiographic examination, dilated cardiomyopathy was the tentative diagnosis. The dog was medicated with inotropes, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and diuretics. At the 10-day following-up, the dog died suddenly. This report describes echocardiographic diagnosis and prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy rarely reported in small breed dogs.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.449-459
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• 2023

The design and development of underground nuclear waste repositories should cover the performance evaluation of the different components such as the construction materials because the long term stability will depend on their response to the surrounding conditions. In South Korea, Gyeonju bentonite has been proposed as a candidate to be used as buffer and backfilling material, especially in the form of blocks to speed up the construction process. In this study, various cylindrical samples were prepared with different dry density and water content, and their physical and mechanical properties were analyzed and correlated with X-ray CT observations. The main objective was to characterize the samples and establish correlations for non-destructive estimation of physical and mechanical properties through the utilization of X-ray CT images. The results showed that the Uniaxial Compression Strength and the P-wave velocity have an increasing relationship with the dry density. Also, a higher water content increased the values of the measure parameters, especially for the P-wave velocity. The X-ray CT analysis indicated a clear relation between the mean CT value and the dry density, Uniaxial Compression Strength, and P-wave velocity. The effect of the higher water content was also captured by the mean CT value. Also, the relationship between the mean CT value and the dry density was used to plot CT dry densities using CT images only. Moreover, the histograms also provided information about the samples heterogeneity through the histograms' full width at half maximum values. Finally, the particle size and heterogeneity were also analyzed using the Madogram function. This function identified small particles in uniform samples and large particles in some samples as a result of poor mixing during preparation. Also, the μ_max value correlated with the heterogeneity, and higher values represented samples with larger ranges of CT values or particle densities. These image-based tools have been shown to be useful on the non-destructive characterization of bentonite samples, and the establishment of correlations to obtain physical and mechanical parameters solely from CT images.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.378-387
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• 2016

This study sought to investigate interrelationships and differences of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), body composition and cardiovascular variables between genders who have been exercised or not in elderly. One hundred fifty participants were classified four groups. Especially out of variables, in male elderly group who had participated in exercise program the PWV range were significantly correlated with muscle mass (r=0.357, p=0.026), SBP (r=0.468, p=0.003), right baPWV (r=0.406, p=0.010), and left baPWV (r=0.333, p=0.038). In male elderly group who had not participated in exercise program, the PWV range were significantly correlated with heart rate (r=0.395, p=0.014), right baPWV (r=0.598, p=0.000), and left baPWV (r=0.602, p=0.000). In female elderly group who had participated in exercise program, the PWV range were significantly correlated with name of diagnosis (r=0.321, p=0.044), SBP (r=0.399, p=0.011), DBP (r=0.545, p=0.000), right baPWV (r=0.648, p=0.000), and left baPWV (r=0.676, p=0.000). In female elderly group who had not participated in exercise program, the PWV range were significantly correlated with age (r=0.471, p=0.003), right baPWV (r=0.836, p=0.000), and left baPWV (r=0.801, p=0.000). The PWV among four groups were not significant different after experiment. However, there were significant differences in the waist/hip ratio (F=9.197, p=0.000), muscle mass (F=74.295, p=0.000), and %fat (F=35.045, p=0.000) from body composition. And there were significant differences in the SBP (F=3.525, p=0.017) after experiment. In conclusion, these data show that regular exercise is associated with arterial compliance (PWV range, right or left PWV) and differed from genders. In other words, this paper may support the concept that regular exercise program may exert a protective effect on arterial compliance, body composition and cardiovascular systems.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.288-293
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We compared changes in heart-femoral pulse wave velocity (hfPWV) in response to low sodium and high sodium diet between individuals with sodium sensitivity (SS) and resistance (SR) to evaluate the influence of sodium intake on arterial stiffness. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirty-one hypertensive and 70 normotensive individuals were given 7 days of low sodium dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet (LSD, 100 mmol NaCl/day) followed by 7 days of high sodium DASH diet (HSD, 300 mmol NaCl/day) during 2 weeks of hospitalization. The hfPWV was measured and compared after the LSD and HSD. RESULTS: The hfPWV was significantly elevated from LSD to HSD in individuals with SS (P = 0.001) independently of changes in mean arterial pressure (P = 0.037). Conversely, there was no significant elevation of hfPWV from LSD to HSD in individuals with SR. The percent change in hfPWV from the LSD to the HSD in individuals with SS was higher than that in individuals with SR. Subgroup analysis revealed that individuals with both SS and hypertension showed significant elevation of hfPWV from LSD to HSD upon adjusted analysis using changes of the means arterial pressure (P = 0.040). However, there was no significant elevation of hfPWV in individuals with SS and normotension. CONCLUSION: High sodium intake elevated hfPWV in hypertensive individuals with SS, suggesting that high sodium intake increases aortic stiffness, and may contribute to enhanced cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals with SS.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.109-118
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• 2013

On and near the 23-m high earthen Cheongcheon dam in Boryeong City, Korea, short seismic refraction and surface-wave profiles were conducted using a 5-kg sledgehammer. From vertical and horizontal components of the seismic waves, near-surface P-wave velocities (${\nu}_p$) and S-wave velocities (${\nu}_s$) were derived by inverting first-arrival refraction times and dispersion curves of Rayleigh waves. Average ${\nu}_p$ and ${\nu}_s$ for the Jurassic sedimentary basement were determined to be 1650 and 950 m/s at a depth of 30 m directly beneath the dam and 1650 m/s and 940 m/s at a depth of 10 m at the toe of the dam, respectively. The dynamic Poisson's ratio for these strata were therefore in the range of 0.24 to 0.25, which is consistent with ratios for consolidated sedimentary strata. Near a 45-m borehole 152 m downstream from the dam crest, an SH tomogram indicates a refraction boundary with an average ${\nu}_s$ of 870 m/s at depths of 10 ~ 12 m. At this site, the overburden comprises the upper layer with relatively constant ${\nu}_p$ and ${\nu}_s$ around 500 and 200 m/s, respectively, and the lower layer in which both ${\nu}_p$ and ${\nu}_s$ increase with depth almost linearly. The dynamic Poisson's ratios for the overburden were in the range of 0.30 to 0.43.