• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.497-506
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• 2007

Background: The present investigation was performed in rats and isolated human neutrophils in order to confirm the presumptive role of the positive feedback loop of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$) activation by plateletactivating factor (PAF). Methods: The possible formation of the positive feedback loop of the $cPLA_2$ activation and neutrophilic respiratory burst was investigated in vivo and in vitro by measurement of the parameters denoting acute lung injury. In addition, morphological examinations and electron microscopic cytochemistry were performed for the detection of free radicals in the lung. Results: Five hours after intratracheal instillation of PAF ($5{\mu}g/rat$), the lung leak index, lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the number of neutrophils and the concentration of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were increased by PAF as compared with those of control rats. The NBT assay and cytochrome-c reduction assay revealed an increased neutrophilic respiratory burst in isolated human neutrophils following exposure to PAF. Lung and neutrophilic $cPLA_2$ activity were increased following PAF exposure and exposure to hydrogen peroxide increased $cPLA_2$ activity in the lung. Histologically, inflammatory findings of the lung were observed after PAF treatment. Remarkably, as determined by $CeCl_3$ cytochemical electron microscopy, increased production of hydrogen peroxide was identified in the lung after PAF treatment. Conclusion: PAF mediates acute oxidative lung injury by the activation of $cPLA_2$, which may provoke the generation of free radicals in neutrophils.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2018

This experiment was conducted at Suwon, Korea from 2013 to 2015. The objective of this study was to establish the optimum seeding rate, and to clarify the nitrogen fertilizer level for rye seed production in central and north area of Korea. We used Korean rye cultivar 'Gogu' for this test. We employed a split-plot design with three replications. The main plots were designed by three seeding levels (3, 5 and $7kg\;10a^{-1}$), but other sub-plots were randomly seeded. The plots were treated with three different nitrogen fertilizer levels (3, 6 and $9kg\;10a^{-1}$). The percentage of productive tiller, number of grain per spike, fertility rate, 1 liter weight, and 1000-grain weight decreased as seeding rate increased from $3kg\;10a^{-1}$ to $7kg\;10a^{-1}$, whereas the number of spike per $m^2$ increased. Therefore the grain yields of rye had less of an effect by increasing seeding rate. There was an increase in number of spike per $m^2$, number of grain per spike, and fertility rate as nitrogen fertilizer level increased from $3kg\;10a^{-1}$ to $9kg\;10a^{-1}$, but grain yields significantly not affected by the interaction of seeding rate ${\times}$ nitrogen fertilizer levels. However, the best seeding rate and nitrogen fertilizer level for rye seed production were 5 kg and $5{\sim}6kg\;10a^{-1}$, respectively, considering seed and fertilizer reduction and the prevention of pollution by excess fertilization.

• 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.

• Clean Technology
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• v.13 no.1 s.36
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• pp.54-63
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• 2007

Even traces of CO in the hydrogen-rich feed gas to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) poison the platinum anode electrode and dramatically decrease the power output. In this work, a variety of catalytic materials consisting of $Cu/Ce_xZr_{1-x}O_2$, (x = 0.0-1.0) were synthesised, characterized and tested for CO oxidation and preferential oxidation of CO (PROX). These catalysts prepared by hydrothermal and deposition-precipitation methods. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, XRF, SEM, BET, $N_2O$ titration and oxygen storage capacity (OSC) measurement. The effects of composition of the support and degree of excess oxygen were investigated fur activity and $CO_2$ selectivity with different temperatures. The composition of the support markedly influenced the PROX activity. Among the various $Cu/Ce_xZr_{1-x}O_2$ catalysts having different composition, $Cu/Ce_{0.9}Zr_{0.1}O_2$ and $Cu/Ce_{0.7}Zr_{0.3}O_2$ showed the highest activities (>99%) and selectivities (ca.50%) in the temperature range of $150{\sim}160^{\circ}C$. It was found that by using of $Ce_xZr_{1-x}O_2$ mixed oxide support which possesses a high oxygen storage capacity, oxidation-reduction activity of Cu-based catalyst was improved, which resulted in the increase of catalytic activity and selectivity of CO oxidation in excess $H_2$ environments.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.25-25
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• 2014

Three species of Fusarium, F. fujikuroi, F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, are known to be associated with bakanae disease of rice [1, 2]. F. fujikuroi infects rice flowers and survive in endosperm and embryo of the seeds. Infected seed is an important source of primary inoculum of pathogens [3]. Seeds of rice (Oryza sativa cv. Boramchan) collected from bakanae-infected field were found to be 96% infected with Fusarium sp., 52% with F. fujikuroi, 42% with F. verticillioides, and 12% with F. proliferatum as determined by incubation method and species-specific PCR assays. F. fujikuroi was detected at lemma/palea, endosperm and embryo whereas F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum were recovered only from lemma/palea by means of component plating test. Seed disinfection methods have been developed to control bakanae disease and prochloraz has been most widely used for rice seeds. Two chemicals formulated with prochloraz (PC 1) and prochloraz + hexaconazole (PC 2) that inhibit biosynthesis of ergosterol strongly reduced the incidence of Fusarium spp. on selective media to 4.7% and 2.0%, respectively. Disease symptoms of rice seedlings in nursery soil were alleviated by chemical treatment; seedlings with elongated leaves or wide angle between leaf and stem were strikingly reduced from 15.6 to 3.2% (PC 1) and 0 (PC 2), stem rots were reduced from 56.9 to 26.2% (PC 1) and 32.1% (PC 2), and normal seedling increased from 0.4 to 13.3% (PC 2). Prochloraz has some disadvantages and risks such as the occurrence of tolerant pathogens [4] and effects on the sterol synthesis in animals and humans [5]. For these reasons, it is necessary to develop new disinfection method that do not induce fungal tolerance and are safe to humans and animals. Chlorine dioxide ($ClO_2$), that is less toxic, produces no harmful byproducts, and has high oxidizing power, has been reported to be effective at disinfection of several phytopathogenic fungi including Colletotrichum spp. and Alternaria spp. [6]. Gaseous $ClO_2$ applied to rice seeds at a concentration of 20 ppm strongly suppressed mycelial growth of Fusarium fujikuroi, F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum. The incidence of Fusarium spp. in dry seed with 8.7% seed moisture content (SMC) tended to decrease as the concentration of $ClO_2$ increased from 20 to 40 ppm. Applying 40 ppm $ClO_2$ at 90% relative humidity, incidence was reduced to 5.3% and resulted in significant reduction of disease symptoms on MS media. In nursery soil, stem rot was reduced from 56.9 to 15.4% and the number of normal seedlings increased from 0.4 to 25.5%. With water-soaked seeds (33.1% SMC) holding moisture in the endosperm and embryo, the effectiveness of disinfection using $ClO_2$ increased, even when treated with only 20 ppm for four hours. This suggests that moisture was a key element for action of $ClO_2$. Removal of the palea and lemma from seeds significantly decreased the incidence of Fusarium spp. to 3.0%. Seed germination appeared to decrease slightly by water-soaking at $30^{\circ}C$ because of increased SMC and by physical damage of embryos from hulling. These results indicate that the use of gaseous $ClO_2$ was effective as a means to disinfect rice seeds infected with Fusarium spp. and that moisture around the pathogens in the seed was an important factor for the action of $ClO_2$. Further investigations should be conducted to ascertain the best conditions for complete disinfection of Fusarium spp. that infect deep site of rice seeds.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.238-248
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• 2010

Purpose: To compare the dose distributions between three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) radiation treatment plans calculated by Ray-tracing or the Monte Carlo algorithm, and to highlight the difference of dose calculation between two algorithms for lung heterogeneity correction in lung cancers. Materials and Methods: Prospectively gated 4D CTs in seven patients were obtained with a Brilliance CT64-Channel scanner along with a respiratory bellows gating device. After 4D treatment planning with the Ray Tracing algorithm in Multiplan 3.5.1, a CyberKnife stereotactic radiotherapy planning system, 3D Ray Tracing, 3D and 4D Monte Carlo dose calculations were performed under the same beam conditions (same number, directions, monitor units of beams). The 3D plan was performed in a primary CT image setting corresponding to middle phase expiration (50%). Relative dose coverage, D95 of gross tumor volume and planning target volume, maximum doses of tumor, and the spinal cord were compared for each plan, taking into consideration the tumor location. Results: According to the Monte Carlo calculations, mean tumor volume coverage of the 4D plans was 4.4% higher than the 3D plans when tumors were located in the lower lobes of the lung, but were 4.6% lower when tumors were located in the upper lobes of the lung. Similarly, the D95 of 4D plans was 4.8% higher than 3D plans when tumors were located in the lower lobes of lung, but was 1.7% lower when tumors were located in the upper lobes of lung. This tendency was also observed at the maximum dose of the spinal cord. Lastly, a 30% reduction in the PTV volume coverage was observed for the Monte Carlo calculation compared with the Ray-tracing calculation. Conclusion: 3D and 4D robotic radiotherapy treatment plans for lung cancers were compared according to a dosimetric viewpoint for a tumor and the spinal cord. The difference of tumor dose distributions between 3D and 4D treatment plans was only significant when large tumor movement and deformation was suspected. Therefore, 4D treatment planning is only necessary for large tumor motion and deformation. However, a Monte Carlo calculation is always necessary, independent of tumor motion in the lung.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.237-246
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• 2015

Purpose: The present study was conducted to reveal the correlation of structural denaturation and decrease of enzyme activity when the antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were repeatedly exposed to UV-B, and further investigate whether the denaturation and inactivation of those enzymes can be effectively blocked by using UV-inhibitory RGP lens. Methods: Each enzyme solution was prepared from the standardized SOD and CAT, and repeatedly exposed to UV-B of 312 nm for 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours a day over 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days. Structural denaturation of SOD and CAT induced by repeat UV-B irradiation was confirmed by the electrophoretic analysis, and their enzyme activity was determined by the colorimetric assay using the proper assay kit. At that time, the change in structure and activity of the antioxidant enzymes directly exposed to UV-B was compared to the case that UV-B was blocked by UV-inhibitory RGP lens. Results: SOD exposed repeatedly to UV-B showed the polymerization pattern in the electrophoretic analysis when it repeatedly exposed for 30 min a day, however, the change of its activity was less than 10%. On the other hand, CAT repeatedly exposed to UV-B reduced size and density of the electrophoretic band which indicated a structure denaturation, and its activity was significantly decreased. In the case that the repeat exposure time was longer, CAT activity was completely lost even though some enzyme band occurred in the electrphoretic analysis. In addition, the degeneration of CAT due to UV-B irradiation was inhibited to some extent by using RGP lens with a UV-B blocking of 63.7%, however, it was not completely inhibited. Conclusions: From these results, it was revealed that the structural denaturation of antioxidative enzymes was not perfectly correlated with the reduction in enzyme activity according to the type of enzyme. It is recommended to minimize the exposure time to UV when wearing contact lens, or wear the contact lenses having UV blocking rate of the FDA Class I blocker or the sunglasses having equivalent UV-blocking rate for reducing the damage of antioxidative enzymes induced by UV.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2012

Purpose: To investigate ocular higher order aberrations (HOA) and spherical aberration changes caused by an aspheric soft contact lens designed to reduce spherical aberration (SA) of the eye. Methods: Fifty subjects who have successfully experienced soft contact lenses were refitted with aspheric design (Soflens Daily Disposable: SDD, Bausch+Lomb) soft contact lens. Ocular higher order aberrations (HOA) and stand alone SA were measured and analyzed for a 4-mm pupil size using Wave-Scan Wavefront$^{TM}$ aberrometer (VISX, Santa Clara, CA, USA). High and low contrast log MAR visual acuity and contrast sensitivity function (CSF) were also measured under photopic and mesopic conditions (OPTEC 6500 Vision Tester$^{(R)}$). All measurements were conducted monocularly with an undilated pupil. Results: The RMS mean values for total HOA with SDD contact lenses were significantly lower than those at with unaided eyes (p<0.001) and a reduction for SA in the SDD was close to the baseline SA (zero ${\mu}m$) (p<0.001). For the SDD lens, there was a statistically significant correlation between the changes in the total HOA and the contact lens power (r=0.237, p=0.018) as well as between the changes in SA and the lens power (r=0.324, p=0.001). High contrast visual acuity (HCVA) and low contrast visual acuity (LCVA) with SDD lenses were $-0.063{\pm}0.062$ and $0.119{\pm}0.060$, respectively under photopic and $-0.003{\pm}0.063$ and $0.198{\pm}0.067$, respectively under mesopic condition. Contrast Sensitivity Function (CSF) with SDD lenses under both photopic and mesopic conditions was $3.095{\pm}0.068$ and $3.087{\pm}0.074$, respectively. Conclusions: The SDD contact lens designed to control SA reduced the total ocular HOA and SA of the eye, resulting in compensating for positive SA of the eyes. Thus, the optical benefits of the lens with SA control would be adopted for improving the quality of vision.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.588-595
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• 2002

Purpose : The incidence of obesity has increased in Korea recently. Obesity leads to higher risks of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. It also leads to risks of respiratory complications. This study was performed to see the effects of obesity on children's pulmonary functions and on developed bronchospasm after exercise loading according to their obesity degrees. Methods : 257 obese children and 150 non-obese children were enrolled. Obese children were divided into 3 groups by the obesity degrees. Pre- and post-exercise loading $FEV_1$(forced expiratory volume at one second), FVC(forced vital capacity) and PEFR(peak expiratory flow rate) were checked in all subjects. The percent predicted values of each parameter was compared according to obesity degrees and the differences between pre-exercise and post-exercise values. Results : The percent predicted value of $FEV_1$, FVC decreased only in the severe obesity group compared with those in the control group. However percent predicted PEFR declined according to obesity degrees. The percent predicted value of $FEV_1$, FVC and PEFR after exercise loading were much lower than those before exercise loading in all groups. Conclusion : As the degree of obesity was higher, the percent predicted value of pulmonary function was lower. And after exercise loading, as the degree of obesity was higher, the reduction of percent predicted value of pulmonary function was larger. Therefore the pulmonary function in obese children must be observed carefully. Further studies on the effects of pulmonary functions in obese children are necessary.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.358-364
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• 2010

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of $Synagis^{(R)}$ (palivizumab) in reducing the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) readmission rate in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI ) and the subgroup that showed the most effective vaccination. Methods : We enrolled 350 VLBWI who had been discharged alive from the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from January 2005 to December 2007 and were followed up for at least one year. A retrospective study based on medical records was performed for a period of one year after discharge. RSV readmission rate was investigated according to BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, requiring oxygen at postnatal day 28) and $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis. We categorized the subgroups by the severity of BPD gestational age, and birth weight and compared the RSV readmission rates between subgroups. Results : Eleven VLBWI were readmitted. $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis resulted in a 86% reduction in the rate of readmission due to RSV infection (prophylaxis group, 0.7% and no prophylaxis group, 5.0%; P =0.02). Readmission rate in BPD patients was also reduced in the prophylaxis group (0.7% in the prophylaxis group vs. 5.2% in the no prophylaxis group, P =0.03). The readmission rate in patients without BPD was reduced in the prophylaxis group (0% in the prophylaxis group vs. 4.9% in the no prophylaxis group, P =1.00), but this was not statistically significant.Conclusion : $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis was effective at reducing RSV readmission in VLBWI. Its efficacy was verified irrespective of BPD, gestational age, or birth weight.