• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.130-137
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• 2010

Objectives: So far it has been reported that acupuncture increases cerebral blood supply and stimulates the functional activity of brain nerve cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that frequently used electro-acupuncture (EA) therapies for stroke increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in normal volunteers. Though ST 36-ST 41 EA is another prevailing therapy for stroke, there had been no report about its effect on rCBF. This study was to evaluate the effect of ST 36-ST 41 EA on rCBF in normal volunteers using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Methods: In the resting state, $^{99m}Tc$-ECD brain SPECT scans were performed on 10 normal volunteers (5 males, 5 female, mean age $23.6{\pm}0.5$ years). On the other study day, 7 days after the resting examination, 15 minutesEA were applied at ST 36 and ST 41 on the right side of the subjects. Immediately after ST36-ST41 EA, the second SPECT images were obtained in the same manner as the resting state. Significant increases and decreases of rCBF after EA were estimated by comparing their SPECT images with those of the resting state using paired t statistics at every voxel, which were analyzed by SPM with a threshold of p = 0.01, uncorrected (extent threshold: k=100 voxels). Results: EA applied at the right ST36-ST41 significantly increased rCBF in the right inferior parietal lobule (Brodmann area [BA] 40), right retrosubicular area (BA 48), left inferior parietal lobule (BA 40), left middle temporal gyrus (BA 21), left fusiform gyrus (BA 37), left inferior parietal lobule (BA 39), left inferior temporal gyrus (BA 20), and left somatosensory association cortex (BA 7). However, right ST36-ST41 EA significantly decreased rCBF in the right parahippocampal gyrus (BA 35), right cerebellum, left frontopolar area (BA 10), left orbitofrontal area (BA 11), left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 9), and left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (BA 32). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that rightST36-ST41 EA increased rCBF prominently in both inferior parietal lobule (BA 40) and right retrosubicular area (BA 48), which suggest that there be correlation between specific EA and corresponding rCBF.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.592-597
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• 2010

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency disease which is characterized by high serum IgE levels, eczema, and recurrent infections. Herein we present the case of a patient with HIES associated with STAT3 gene ($stat3$) mutation. A 16 year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to hemoptysis caused by pneumonia with bronchiectasis. She had a history of recurrent skin and respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$) and $Pseudomonas$ $aeruginosa$. On physical examination, a broad round shaped nose, oral thrush, and chronic eczematous skin rash over her whole body were found. Laboratory data showed an elevated eosinophil count ($750/{\mu}L$) and total IgE level (5,001 U/mL). The patient's National Institutes of Health (NIH) score for HIES was 44. Direct sequencing of the STAT3 gene revealed that the patient was heterozygous for a missense mutation in the DNA binding domain of the STAT3 protein (c.1144C>T, p. Arg382Trp). HIES should be suspected in patients with recurrent infections and can be confirmed by clinical scoring and genetic analysis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.213-231
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• 2000

이 연구의 목적은 다공성의 CPP 내부에 쥐의 장골의 골수에서 유래된 세포를 접종하고 3차 원적으로 배양하여 CPP가 골 형성을 위한 조직공학의 지지체로 적용가능한가를 연구하는 것과 Calcium PolyPhosphate(CPP)의 돌연변이 유발성을 검사하는 것이다. 무수 ($Ca(H_2PO_4)$)를 condensation하여 무결정의 ($Ca(PO_3)$)를 얻고 이를 용융하고 냉각시킨 후 분쇄하여 Calcium polyphosphate(CPP) powder를 얻었다. 다공성의 CPP는 5% $SiO_2$를 첨가하여 sponge 형태로 $450-550{\mu}m$ 소공의 크기를 가지는 것과(CPP-45ppi) $200-300{\mu}m$의 소공의 크기를 가지는 것(CCP-60ppi) 2가지로 제작하였다. 각각의 CPP matrices는 $5mm{\times}5mm{\times}1mm$의 블록 형태로 만들었다. 체중 100g 내외의 백서에서 장골(femur, tibia)을 채취하여 백서의 장골 골수 세포를 분리하여 배양한 후 24well에 CPP block을 넣고 CPP block 당 $10^5$개의 배양한 세포를 접종하였다. 배양 1, 7, 14, 및 21 일째에 각 well에서 trypsin EDTA를 이용하여 2회 반복하여 cell을 분리하였고, 원심분리한 후 hemacytometer로 측정하였다. 또, 45ppi와 60ppi, 그 리 고 Tissue Culture Polystyrene(control group)에 접종, 배양된 세포들의 염기성 인산분해효소활성도를 배양 7, 14, 및 21 일째에 각각 측정하였다. 각 기간별로 배양된 세포-CPP 혼합체내에서 세포의 부착 및 증식과 형성된 조직의 3차원적 형태를 관찰하기 위하여 주사전자현미경하에서의 관찰하였다. CPP의 돌연변이 유발성 검사 (mutagenicity test)를 위해 hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase(HPRT) assay를 하였다. NIH3T3 cell line과 CHO-K1 cell line으로 각각 $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ 그리고 $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$의 CPP 농도에서 측정하였다. 통계적 분석을 위해서 모든 측정은 각군당 4개체 이상 시험하였고, 각 측정값은 평균값${\pm}$표준편차로 나타내었다. 각 군간의 통계적 유의성 검정을 위해서 Analysis of variance(ANOVA)를 이용하였고 Tukey의 방법으로 사후분석을 실시하였다. 제작된 CPP matrices 소공들이 서로간에 연결이 잘 되어있는 형태였다. 두 가지로 제조된 CPP(45ppi와 60ppi) 모두에서 세포의 부착이 잘 일어났고, 부착된 세포의 분열도 잘 일어났다. 2 가지의 CPP 모두에서 7, 14, 21일째의 세포 수는 1일째에 비해 유의성 있게 증가하였다(P<0.01). 3차원적 구조인 Calcium PolyPhosphate에서 배양한 세포는 24well dish(tissue culture polystyrene)에서 평면적으로 배양한 대조군의 세포에서 보다 염기성 인산분해효소 (Alkaline Phosphatase)를 유의성 있게 높게 나타냈다. 주사전자현미경에서 세포-CPP 혼합체를 관찰한 결과, CPP block에 세포들이 잘부착되어 있었고, 시간이 지남에 따라 세포가 여러 층을 형성하면서 뭉치는 현상을 보였다. 또, HPRT assay 결과 , Calcium PolyPhosphate는 돌연변이 유발성을 보이지 않았다. 이상의 결과로 볼 때 CPP에는 세포부착이 잘 일어나고, 지지체 상에서 세포의 분열도 활발하게 일어나므로 골조직을 위한 조직공학의 우수한 지지체가 될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.431-440
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• 2005

Local K-index is an indicator representing local geomagnetic activity in every 3 hour. For estimation of the local K-index, a reasonable determination of solar quiet curve (undisturbed daily variation of geomagnetic field) is quiet essential. To derive the solar quiet curve, the FMI method, which is one of representative algorithms, uses horizontal components (H and D) of 3 days magnetometer data from the previous day to the next day for a specific day. However, this method is not applicable to real time forecast since it always requires the next day data. In this study, we have devised a new method to estimate local K-index in near real-time by modifying the FMI method. The new method selects a recent quiet day whose $K_p$ indices, reported by NOAA/SEC are all lower than 3, and replace the previous day and the next day data by the recent quiet day data. We estimated 2,672 local K indices from Gyeongzu magnetometer in 2003, and then compared the indices with those from the conventional FMI method. We also compared the K indices with those from Kakioka observatory. As a result, we found that (1) K indices from the new method are nearly consistent with those of the conventional FMI method with a very high correlation (R=0.96); (2) onr local K indices also have a relatively high correlation (R=0.81) with those from Kakioka station. Our results show that the new method can be used for near real-time estimation of local K indices from Gyeongzu magnetometer.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2007

Purpose : We attempted to compare the independent factors such as age, sex, C-reactive protein(CRP), and white blood cell count(WBC) in children with radiologic studies and assess the necessity of performing voiding cystourethrography(VCUG). Method : 98 children who have been diagnosed their first time febrile urinary tract infection from Janurary 2002 to Januray 2005 were enrolled. In all patient, the duration of fever which occurred before and after treatment was recorded, and CRP, WBC, $^{99m}Tc$-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid($^{99m}Tc$-DMSA) renal scans, renal ultrasound and VCUG were analyzed. Results : Of the 98 children diagnosed with urinary tract infection(UTI), 52 were male and 46 were female. 18 had abnormalities in VCUG, 17 had abnormalities in kidney ultrasound, and 20 had partial defects or diffuse uptake decrease in $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scans. There were no significant relationship between incidence of radiologic abnormalities and age. The risk of renal scar was significantly higher in children who had a longer febrile period before treatment than in those with shorter period. Both CRP and WBC were significantly elevated in children with the radiological abnormalities. A positive of $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scans and renal ultrasound were highly associated with vesicoureteral reflux(VUR). Conclusion : If there are abnormalities in the kidney ultrasound and $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scan of a child with initial UTI, a VCUG is recommended. Even in cases without abnormal findings in $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scan and renal ultrasound, clinical data such as CRP and WBC should be assessed, and VCUG should be Performed for the undetected VUR.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.70-74
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• 2011

Purpose: In the Nuclear Medicine department of Asan Medical Center, radioactive waste has been disposed of by using several disposal boxes designed for nuclear waste. However, some quantity of radioactivity has been detected occasionally due to some radiologists' carelessness not only from radioactive waste, but also from medical waste such as uncontrolled radioactive waste related to patients, poly gloves or saline solution bottles from radiopharmaceuticals laboratory. Thus, this study is going to suggest a solution to maintain the medical wastes made from controlled areas that can be below maximum permissible surface dose limits by finding the cause of radioactive contamination. Materials and methods: This study was taken place in 17 different places-2 medical wastebaskets in the waiting room, 2 medical wastebaskets in the PET room, 5 medical wastebaskets in the in vitro laboratory and 6 medical wastebaskets in the radiopharmaceuticals laboratory of the East building, 2 medical wastebaskets in the waiting room of the New building of Nuclear Medicine Department in Asan Medical Center from April to August 2010. Mean radioactivity and its standard deviation of each place have been found by measuring surface contamination of medical wastebaskets and backgrounds twice a week, totaling 30 times. An independent t-test of SPSS (Ver. 12.0) statistic program has been used for statistical analysis. Swabs, saline solution bottles and poly gloves collected from each place also measured 30 times, respectively. Results: This study analyzed medical waste and the backgrounds of each place by using survey meter detectors that significant differences of five places did not exist, but existed statistically in twelve places (p<0.05). Also, swabs, saline solution bottles and poly gloves collected from each radioactive waste partly exceed the legal dose limit as a result of measuring by a gamma counter. Conclusion: Backgrounds and the surface doses of radioactive disposal box in all 17 places measured by the survey meter did not exceed the legal dose limit; however, it obviously showed that there were prominent differences in 12 places. Assuming that the cause of the differences was swabs, saline solution bottles and gloves, we examined them by gamma counter, and the results showed remarkably high doses of radioactivity. Consequently, swabs and poly gloves which are normally disposed in the general medical waste box should be disposed in the radioactive waste box furnished by radiopharmaceuticals laboratory. Also, saline solution discharged from radioactive pharmaceutical places is considered as radioactive liquid waste so that it should be disposed of by the septic tank specifically designed for radioactive liquid.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2008

Purpose: In FDG-PET/CT of breast cancer, a sensitivity was 80~96% and a specificity was 75~95% commonly. It was valuable to identify a cancer in early stage been difficult in Mammography. Most of the PET/CT scans have been examined on supine position, so, the image of breast has been acquired by reconstructed whole body scan image. However, using prone position with a compensator, a shape of breast was reassembly shown to be real by gravity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of prone position in FDG PET-CT of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: 30 female patients with doubtful or positive breast cancer were examined. The PET-CT whole body scan was acquired at 60 minutes after $^{18}F$-FDG injection on Supine position. Then, regional breast spot scan was progressed on prone position using a compensator. Each image was evaluated by physicians blinded to patient's data, and statistical analysis did through SUVs measured in PET-CT images. Results: In 27 of 30 patients, prone position was shown accurate discrimination and diagnostic value, but in another 3 patients had a lesion 1cm below, PET-CT couldn't detect it, unlike MRI. Consequently, prone position distinguished a lesion better than Supine position, because of low degree of metamorphosis by gravity. The SUVs analysis of each position was significant (p value=0.004). Conclusion: In PET-CT of breast cancer, prone position could detect micrometastasis as well as primary lesion, better than supine position. Therefore, this study proposes that any technical change considered morphological feature like prone position can offer adequate and useful diagnostic information, together with complementary quantitative analysis.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.184-189
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was to explore barriers to effective pain management in general population. Methods: Total 163 Participants completed the Barrier Questionnaire-II (BQ-II), a 27-item on a six point scale, from May to June in 2007. BQ-II consisted of four subscales which were 1) physical effects (PE) addressing beliefs that side effects of analgesics are inevitable and concerns about tolerance, fatalism (Fa) addressing fatalistic beliefs about cancer pain and its management, Communication (Co) addressing the beliefs of 'good patient' and concerns of distracting physician from underlying disease, and harmful effects (HE) addressing fear of addiction and harmful effect to immune system of pain medicine. Results: The BQ-II total had an internal consistency of 0.877 in this study. HE was the biggest barrier (3.03) followed by PE (2.73), Fa (2.15), and Co (1.71). Items appeared as great concerns were 'there is a danger of becoming addicted to pain medication'(3.58), 'using pain medicine blocks your ability to know if you have any new pain' (3.18), 'pain medicine is very addictive' (3.09), 'when you use pain medicine your body becomes used to its effects and pretty soon it won't work any more' (3.09), and 'drowsiness from pain medicine is difficult to control' (3.09). Only 12 respondents (7.4%) reported that they took any type of pain education, however, those who took pain education represented significantly lower barriers to pain management than who did not (P=.029). Conclusion: This result suggests the strategies for public education to surmount cancer pain.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.11-16
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• 2004

Classification of esophageal motility disorders not yet finalized and is still ongoing as the new disorders are reported, and the existing classification is changed or removed. In terms of radiology, the primary peristalsis does not exist, and the lower end of the esophagus show the smooth, tapered, beak-like appearance. The esophageal motility disorder, which mostly occurs in the smooth muscle area, show the symptoms of reduction or loss (hypomotility) or abnormal increase (hypermotility) of peristalsis of the esophagus. It is important to understand the anatomy and physiology of the esophagus for the appropriate radiological method and diagnosis. Furthermore, the symptom of the patient and the manometry finding must be closely referred for the radiological diagnosis. The lower esophageal sphincter can be normally functioning and open completely as the food moves lower. Sperandio M et al. argues that the name diffuse esophageal spasm must be changed to distal esophageal spasm (DES) as most of the spasm occurs in the distal esophagus, composed of the smooth muscle. According to Ott et al., usefulness of barium method for diagnosing the esophageal motility disorder is Achalasia 95%, DES 71% and NEMD 46%, with the overall sensitivity of 56%. However, excluding the nutcracker esophagus or nonspecific disorder which cannot be diagnosed with the radiological methods, the sensitivity increases to 89%. Using videofluoroscopy and 5 time swallows, the average sensitivity was over 90%. In conclusion, the barium method is a simple primary testing method for esophageal motility test. Using not only the image but also the videofluoroscopy with good knowledge of the anatomy and physiology, it is believed that the method will yield the accurate diagnosis.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.35-43
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• 2005

Bioslurping combines the three remedial approaches of bioventing, vacuum-enhanced free-product recovery, and soil vapor extraction. Bioslurping is less effective in tight (low-permeability) soils. The greatest limitation to air permeability is excessive soil moisture. Optimum soil moisture is very soil-specific. Too much moisture can reduce air permeability of the soil and decrease its oxygen transfer capability. Too little moisture will inhibit microbial activity. So Modified Fenton reaction as chemical treatment which can overcome the weakness of Bioslurping was experimented for simultaneous treatment. Although the diesel removal efficiency of SVE process increased in proportion to applied vacuum pressure, SVE process was difficulty to remediation quickly semi- or non-volatile compounds absorbed soil strongly. And SVE process had variation of efficiency with distance from the extraction well and depth a air flow form of hemisphere centering around the well. Below 0.1 % hydrogen peroxide shows the potential of using hydrogen peroxide as oxygen source but the co-oxidation of chemical and biological treatment was impossible because of the low efficiency of Modified Fenton reaction at 0.1 % (wt) hydrogen peroxide. NTA was more efficiency than EDTA as chelating agent and diesel removal efficiency of Modified Fenton reaction increased in proportion to hydrogen peroxide concentration. Hexadecane as typical aliphatic compound was removed less than Toluene as aromatic compound because of its structural stability in Modified Fenton reaction. What minimum 10% hydrogen peroxide concentration has good remediation efficiency of diesel contaminated groundwater may show the potential use of Modified Fenton reaction after bioslurping treatment.