• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.485-497
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• 2003

Grapefruit seed extract has been reported to have antimicrobial effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-gingivitis effect of chewing gum containing grapefruit seed extract and xylitol. 40 healthy subjects with gingivitis or early periodontitis were divided into two groups. Subjects in the experimental group chewed gum containing grapefruit seed extract and xylitol while subjects in the control group chewed gum containing only xylitol. All subjects received scaling and tooth brushing instruction. 1 week after scaling was set as baseline. Gingival index and plaque index were scored at baseline, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week. Bleeding index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were scored at baseline, 2 week and 4 week. The number of total bacteria and Streptococcus mutans in unstimulated saliva of experimental group were counted at 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week. Gingival indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 0.850${\pm}$0.298, 0.575${\pm}$0.345, 0.533${\pm}$0.332, 0.459${\pm}$0.311, 0.408${\pm}$0.224 and 0.758${\pm}$0.379, 0.592${\pm}$0.276, 0.563${\pm}$0.281, 0.454${\pm}$0.194, 0.413${\pm}$0.199 (mean${\pm}$SD), respectively. Plaque indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 1 week. 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 0.497${\pm}$0.500, 0.375${\pm}$0.484, 0.332${\pm}$0.471, 0,286${\pm}$0.452, 0.210${\pm}$0.407 and 0.411${\pm}$0.492, 0.375${\pm}$0.484, 0.354${\pm}$0.479, 0.313${\pm}$0.463, 0.193${\pm}$0.395, respectively. Bleeding indices of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 0.377${\pm}$0.177, 0.298${\pm}$0.152, 0.192${\pm}$0.108 and 0.383${\pm}$0.124, 0.318${\pm}$0.153, 0.225${\pm}$0.126, respectively. Probing pocket depth of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 2.56${\pm}$1.00, 2.40${\pm}$0.65, 2.23${\pm}$0.64 and 2.45${\pm}$0.682.37${\pm}$0.57, 2.19${\pm}$0.57, respectively. Clinical attachment level of experimental group and control group at baseline, 2 week and 4 week were 2.58${\pm}$1.01, 2.43${\pm}$0.67, 2.26${\pm}$0.65 and 2.49${\pm}$0.70, 2.40${\pm}$0.59, 2.22${\pm}$0.62, respectively. The % of reduction of total bacteria in saliva of experimental group at 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 46 ${\pm}$ 53%, 53 ${\pm}$ 5% and 69 ${\pm}$ 33%. The % of reduction of Streptococcus mutans count in saliva of experimental group at 2 week, 3 week and 4 week were 52${\pm}$69%, 88${\pm}$30% and 89${\pm}$17%. From these findings, it can be concluded that regular use of grapefruit seed extract /xylitol chewing gum may be effective to control and prevent gingivitis and may have caries-preventive effect.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.469-477
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• 2008

Purpose: The goal of this paper is to present the design and performance of a position encoding circuit for $16{\times}16$ array of position sensitive multi-anode photomultiplier tube for small animal PET scanners. This circuit which reduces the number of readout channels from 256 to 4 channels is based on a charge division method utilizing a resistor array. Materials and Methods: The position encoding circuit was simulated with PSpice before fabrication. The position encoding circuit reads out the signals from H9500 flat panel PMTs (Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Japan) on which $1.5{\times}1.5{\times}7.0\;mm^3$ $L_{0.9}GSO$ ($Lu_{1.8}Gd_{0.2}SiO_{5}:Ce$) crystals were mounted. For coincidence detection, two different PET modules were used. One PET module consisted of a $29{\times}29\;L_{0.9}GSO$ crystal layer, and the other PET module two $28{\times}28$ and $29{\times}29\;L_{0.9}GSO$ crystal layers which have relative offsets by half a crystal pitch in x- and y-directions. The crystal mapping algorithm was also developed to identify crystals. Results: Each crystal was clearly visible in flood images. The crystal identification capability was enhanced further by changing the values of resistors near the edge of the resistor array. Energy resolutions of individual crystal were about 11.6%(SD 1.6). The flood images were segmented well with the proposed crystal mapping algorithm. Conclusion: The position encoding circuit resulted in a clear separation of crystals and sufficient energy resolutions with H9500 flat-panel PMT and $L_{0.9}GSO$ crystals. This circuit is good enough for use in small animal PET scanners.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to analyze contents of trans fatty acid and cholesterol of bakery products (bread: 17, pastry: 20, and whipping cream cake: 17) sold at retail in Seoul area. The average values of crude fat contents in bakery products were as follows [mean (minimum-maximum), %)]; bread 6.46 (3.51~8.69), pastry 16.23 (3.55~25.56), and whipping cream cake 16.26 (8.61~31.58). Palmitic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in these products. The average values of saturated fat (SFA) contents and unsaturated fat acid (USFA) contents in these items were as follows [(mean SFA ${\pm}$ SD%] bread (54.04 ${\pm}$ 5.27), pastry (53.41 ${\pm}$ 4.80), and whipping cream cake(70.09 ${\pm}$ 8.64). The high contents of trans fatty acid was analyzed in whipping cream cake. The average values of cholesterol contents in bakery products were as follows [mean (minimum-maximum), %)]; bread 2,36 (0.0~12.86), pastry 8.11 (0.0~42.80), and whipping cream cake 30.55(0.0~132.99).

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.34-37
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• 2012

Purpose: To verify the optimal scan time per bed for clinical application, we evaluated the quality of $^{18}F$-FDG images with varying scan times in a phantom and 20 patients with 38 lesions using a Philips (TOF) PET/CT scanner. Materials and Methods: The PET/CT images of a NEMA IEC body phantom and 20 patients (16 males, 4 females) were acquired for 5 different scan times of 20-100 sec per bed with intervals of 20 sec. The activity ratio of hot spheres (diameter of 17 [H1], 22 [H2] and 28 [H3] mm) to the background region in the IEC body phantom was 8-to-1. The contrast recovery coefficient (CRC) and standard uptake value (SUV) based on ROIs of hot spheres and background region were calculated. The noise in each background region was estimated as the ratio of SD of counts to the mean counts in the background region. On the patient image, the injected dose of $^{18}F$-FDG was $444{\pm}74$ MBq and the SUVs in the 38 hot lesions were measured. Results: The two scan time groups (LT-60 [<60 sec] and GT-60 [${\geq}60$ sec]) were compared. In the phantom study, the coefficient of deviations (CVs, %) of CRC and SUV in LT-60 (H1: 14.2 and 7.3, H2: 11.4 and 7.8, H3: 4.9 and 3.2) were higher than GT-60 (H1: 8.9 and 2.8, H1: 8.2 and 5.0, H3: 2.0 and 1.6). In the patient study, the mean CV of CRC and SUV in LT-60 (4.0) was higher than GT-60 (1.2). Conclusion: This study showed that noise increased as the scan time decreased. High noise for the scan time <60 sec per bed yielded high variation of SUV and CRC. Therefore, considering PET/CT image quality, the scan time per bed in the TOF PET/CT scanner should be at least ${\geq}60$ sec.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.128-132
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• 2010

Purpose: Nuclear medicine general operation room is radioactive control room which is used for the handling of radioisotope(R.I). Radioactive contamination materials must be under control and separated from general trash. With this experiments, we want to actively suggest the guideline of controling and operating radioactive contamination materials by measuring contamination degree and analyzing the causes which is not realized so far. Materials and Methods: Materials are selected from Oct. 2009 to March. 2010. salines which are used for labelling radiophamaceuticals and generator cap, saline needle cap, $^{99m}Tc$-needle cap saline vial which is generated from $^{99}Mo$/$^{99m}Tc$ generator. After measuring each surface contamination degree by survey meter, mean value and standard deviation one were solved out. Results: In result, After measuring surface contamination degree, radioactivity of saline for labelling radiophamaceuticals showed $14429{\pm}26378$ cpm (p<0.05) and in measured generators, foreign imported things showed that generator cap : $9{\pm}21$ cpm, saline vial : $17{\pm}28$ cpm. saline needle cap : $35{\pm}66$ cpm, $^{99m}Tc$-needle cap : $9{\pm}21$ cpm, saline vial $13{\pm}28$ cpm. domestic things showed that generator cap : $22852{\pm}52545$ cpm, saline needle cap : $87367{\pm}109711$ cpm, $^{99m}Tc$-needle cap : $9008{\pm}10459$ cpm, saline vial : $186416{\pm}158196$ cpm (p<0.05). Conclusion: The saline which is used for labelling, exceeded 1/10 of maximum permissible range. this is generated from radiophamaceuticals dilution procedure. and In generators, radioactive value of foreign import things showed closely background value. but which of domestic thing showed that exceeded more than 1000 values 1/10 of maximum permissible range. the causes of that is domestic generator is contaminated in manufacturing procedure. So, to dispose radioactive contamination materials which is could betaken out of, the control and operation must be radical under controlled by radioactive measuring, recording and equipping of its own. if this is kept well, we can prevent surely that radioactive waste could be disposed like as general trash.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.899-909
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• 1997

The aim of this study was to assess the estimates of the time of ovulation and mating derived by plasma progesterone concentration. The 40 mature Korea Jin-do bitches were monitored to determine the plasma progesterone concentrations from proestrus to parturition. Gestation length in the 30 pregnant bitches was $63.9{\pm}2.3$ ($mean{\pm}SD$) days in multiparous bitches and $61.8{\pm}3.6$ days in primiparous bitches when Day 0 was timed from the first day of male acceptance, and $61.4{\pm}1.8$ days and $61.3{\pm}2.7$ days when Day 0 was timed from the day of first mating, respectively. Also, gestation length was $63.1{\pm}1.4$ days, $62.4{\pm}1.1$ days and $61.5{\pm}0.9$ days in multiparous bitches, and $62.6{\pm}1.4$ days, $62.4{\pm}2.0$ days and $61.6{\pm}2.3$ days in primiparous bitches when Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0ng/ml, respectively, and $53.8{\pm}3.1$ days and $54.8{\pm}2.6$ days when Day 0 was timed from the last day of male acceptance, respectively. In 30 pregnant bitches, plasma progesterone concentration was $0.2{\pm}0.2ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches and $0.7{\pm}0.8ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches at the first day of vulval bleeding, $1.9{\pm}1.0$ and $3.3{\pm}2.7ng/ml$ at the first day of male acceptance, $7.0{\pm}4.0$ and $9.3{\pm}6.2ng/ml$ at the day of first mating, and $25.1{\pm}6.3$ and $22.8{\pm}10.3ng/ml$ at the last day of male acceptance, respectively. When Day 0 was timed from the day of parturition, plasma progesterone concentration at Day -62, Day -63 and Day -64 was $4.7{\pm}2.7ng/ml$, $3.5{\pm}2.2ng/ml$ and $1.7{\pm}0.9ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches, and $5.3{\pm}4.4ng/ml$, $3.2{\pm}3.7ng/ml$ and $2.0{\pm}1.9ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches, respectively. When Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 3.0ng/ml after the first day of vulval bleeding, plasma progesterone concentration at Day 61 and Day 62 was $2.7{\pm}2.2ng/ml$ and $1.4{\pm}1.9ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches, and $3.4{\pm}5.2ng/ml$ and $3.7{\pm}5.6ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches, and $0.8{\pm}0.7ng/ml$ and $0.9{\pm}0.4ng/ml$ at Day 63, respectively. It was that bitches were mated when plasma progesterone concentraion was 1.9 to 14.2ng/ml and 3.5 to 20.0ng/ml in multiparous and primiparous bitches, which was between first day before ovulation and fourth day after ovulation. And pregnancy rate was 92% (23/25). From these data, ovulation was estimated to occur the day when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 3.0ng/ml after the first day of vulval bleeding. It was estimated that mating time was the day when plasma progesterone concentration was between 1.9 and 20.0ng/ml, and best time for mating was between 3.0 and 8.0ng/ml of plasma progesterone concentration.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2005

Purpose : Relapses are a major problem in children with steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome(SRNS). This study has been performed to determine the predictive factors for relapse in children with SRNS. Methods : The study group consisted of 7,3 children with SRNS who had been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital, over 6 years from 1996 to 2001. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively and analyzed to determine significant relationships between selected variables[age at onset, sex, laboratory data, the rapidity of response(days to remission), interval to first relapse] and the frequency of relapse. Results : The age($mean{\pm}SD$) of patients was $4.53{\pm}2.53$ years old. The male to female ratio was 52:21. In 95$\%$, 39 out of the 41 children had a renal biopsy, and the final diagnosis was minimal change nephrotic syndrome. There was no significant correlation between the frequency of relapse and the following variables age at onset, sex, and presence of hematuria. However, the rapidity of response correlated well with the frequency of relapse, especially during the first year after the onset of the disease(P=0.005). Conclusion : The rapidity of response is expected to be one of the predictive (actors for relapse in children with SRNS. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:167-174)

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2012

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the effects of training for survival prediction of terminally ill patients in terms of medical professionals' confidence, accuracy and knowledge of survival prediction. Methods: Twenty-nine participants completed a self-administered questionnaire where they scored their confidence, accuracy and knowledge of survival prediction before and after the training session. The training was provided in July 2009 at a university hospital located in Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea. The participants were instructed by a professor of family medicine specialized in hospice palliative medicine to predict survival of a case using the palliative prognostic score and objective prognostic score. The training was provided in the form of a PowerPoint presentation for 40 minutes. Results: Participants' confidence in survival prediction significantly increased from $4.00{\pm}1.73$ ($mean{\pm}SD$) (0~10, visual analogue scale) to $5.83{\pm}1.71$ after the training (P<0.001). Before training, participant's level of confidence significantly correlated with their age (P=0.04). The training significantly improved the correlation between the confidence level and the number of terminal cancer patients whom they have experienced (P=0.005 before training, P=0.017 after training). Participant's accuracy in survival prediction also significantly improved from 14 of 29 (48%) to 27 of 29 (93.1%) (P<0.001). The change in knowledge of survival prediction was too small to be statistically analyzed. Conclusion: After training, the confidence and accuracy scores significantly improved. Further study with a greater number of participants is needed to generalize this finding.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.487-491
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• 2008

Purpose : Although Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection can cause wheezing in non-asthmatic children, the mechanisms of this symptom remain unclear. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major mediator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability, and is also known to be elevated in cases of chronic pulmonary disease such as asthma. We hypothesized that VEGF may increase in children with acute M. pneumoniae pneumonia and wheezing. Methods : Nine patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of acute M. pneumoniae pneumonia were enlisted from children admitted to Korea University Hospital. They had had more than one episode of wheezing during the illness, which was confirmed by a physician; they comprised the wheezer group. The individuals with M. pneumoniae pneumonia without wheezing were 63 in number, and they comprised the non-wheezer group. Patients with a history of asthma or who had received asthma medications were excluded. Serum concentrations of VEGF, total IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and peripheral blood eosinophil counts were measured. Results : The serum VEGF concentrations were higher in the wheezer group ($mean{\pm}SD$; $650.2{\pm}417.9pg/mL$) than in the non-wheezer group ($376.5{\pm}356.2pg/mL$, P=0.049). M. pneumoniae antibody (1:1,380 vs. 1:596, P=0.048) and serum total IgE (591.8 IU/mL vs. 162.2 IU/mL, P=0.032) were higher in the wheezer group than in the non-wheezer group. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of serum ECP concentration or blood eosinophil count. Conclusion : In the presence of wheezing, serum VEGF concentrations were higher in the children with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. This finding suggests that VEGF may associate with wheeze-related symptoms in children with acute M. pneumoniae pneumonia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1811-1815
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• 2014

Background: In clinical trials with no upper age limit, the proportion of older patients is usually small, probably reflecting the more conservative approach adopted by clinicians when treating the elderly. An exploratory analysis of elderly patients in the RECORD-1 Trial showed that patients ${\geq}$ 65 y.o. had superior median PFS than overall RECORD-1 population (5.4 months and 4.9 months, respectively). We investigated the efficacy, relative benefit and safety of Everolimus (EVE) as sequential therapy after failure of VEGFr-TKI therapy for older patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC), in daily practice. Materials and Methods: 172 consecutive IRB approved patients with mRCC (median age 65, M:F 135/37, 78% clear cell) who received salvage EVE at 39 tertiary institutions between October 2009 and August 2011 were included in this analysis. Some 31% had progressed on sunitinib, 22% on sorafenib, 1% on axitinib, 41% on sequential therapy, and 5% had received other therapy. Patients with brain metastases were not included and 95% of the patients had a ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status (PS) of 0 or 1. Previous radiotherapy was an exclusion criterion, but prior chemotherapy was permitted. Adequate organ function and hematologic parameters were mandatory. EVE administration was approved by the institutional review board at each participating institution and signed informed consent was obtained from all patients. Results: Median time of the whole cohort to last follow-up was 3.5 months (range 0.4-15.2 months). Forty four percent were continuing to take EVE at last followup. There were 86 (50%) patients ${\geq}$ 65 y.o. and 86 (50%) <65 y.o. The percentage of patients who showed PR/SD was higher in the older group than in the younger one (5.9%/61.2% vs 1.2%/46.5%, respectively). Median survival of older patients was also significantly longer (3.5 +/- 0.31 vs 3.1 +/- 0.34, hazard ratio=0.45, CI; 0.255-0.802). Analysis using Cox regression model adjusted for gender, PS, number of metastases, site of metastases, histology, smoking history and age detected an association between age and PFS (p=0.011). The frequency of adverse events in elderly patients treated with EVE was no greater than that in younger patients, although such toxicity may have had a greater impact on their quality of life. Conclusions: Older patients should not generally be excluded from accepted therapies (mTOR inhibitors after failure of VEGFr-TKI therapy) for mRCC.