• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.774-780
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• 2007

Purpose : The anthracyclines (AC) are widely used chemotherapeutic agents for pediatric cancers. However, the therapeutic use of these agents is limited by their cardiotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels as a marker for AC-induced cardiotoxicity compared to echocardiography in Korean children with cancer. Methods : Fifty-five pediatric cancer patients who had received chemotherapy including AC were enrolled. The cumulative AC doses, clinical symptoms, and two echocardiography parameters, left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), were studied and compared with plasma BNP levels. Results : In 55 patients, plasma BNP levels were measured 115 times and echocardiographies were performed 64 times. The median cumulative dose of AC was $325mg/m^2$ (range 120-600; mean 345) and the median plasma BNP level was 10 pg/mL (range 5-950; mean 31). The cumulative AC doses correlated significantly with the plasma BNP levels (P=0.002). The plasma BNP levels correlated significantly with LVFS (P=0.018) and LVEF (P=0.025). Dilated cardiomyopathies were identified in three patients. LVFS and LVEF decreased and plasma BNP levels increased in a patient with acute dilated cardiomyopathy and in that with symptomatic chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. However, LVFS, LVEF and plasma BNP levels were normal in a patient with asymptomatic chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusion : The results of this study demonstrated that plasma BNP levels could be used as a marker for AC-induced cardiotoxicity; they showed good correlation with echocardiography findings in pediatric cancer patients. Plasma BNP levels may be used for the detection and management of AC-induced cardiotoxicity in Korean children with cancer.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 1998

Purpose: Tissue inhomogeneity such as lung affects tumor dose as well as transmission dose in new concept of on-line dosimetry which estimates tumor dose from transmission dose using the new algorithm. This study was carried out to confirm accuracy of correction by tissue density in tumor dose estimation utilizing transmission dose. Methods: Cork phantom (CP, density $0.202\;gm/cm^3$) having similar density with lung parenchyme and polystyrene phantom (PP, density $1.040\;gm/cm^3$) having similar density with soft tissue were used. Dose measurement was carried out under condition simulating human chest. On simulating AP-PA irradiation, PPs with 3 cm thickness were placed above and below CP, which had thickness of 5, 10, and 20 cm. On simulating lateral irradiation, 6 cm thickness of PP was placed between two 10 cm thickness CPs additional 3 cm thick PP was placed to both lateral sides. 4, 6, and 10 MV x-ray were used. Field size was in the range of $3{\times}3$ cm through $20{\times}20$ cm, and phantom-chamber distance (PCD) was 10 to 50 cm. Above result was compared with another sets of data with equivalent thickness of PP which was corrected by density. Result: When transmission dose of PP was compared with equivalent thickness of CP which was corrected with density, the average error was 0.18 (${\pm}0.27$) % for 4 MV, 0.10 (${\pm}0.43$) % for 6 MV, and 0.33 (${\pm}0.30$) % for 10 MV with CP having thickness of 5 cm. When CP was 10 cm thick, the error was 0.23 (${\pm}0.73$) %, 0.05 (${\pm}0.57$) %, and 0.04 (${\pm}0.40$) %, while for 20 cm, error was 0.55 (${\pm}0.36$) %, 0.34 (${\pm}0.27$) %, and 0.34 (${\pm}0.18$) % for corresponding energy. With lateral irradiation model, difference was 1.15 (${\pm}1.86$) %, 0.90 (${\pm}1.43$) %, and 0.86 (${\pm}1.01$) % for corresponding energy. Relatively large difference was found in case of PCD having value of 10 cm. Omitting PCD with 10 cm, the difference was reduced to 0.47 (${\pm}$1.17) %, 0.42 (${\pm}$0.96) %, and 0.55 (${\pm}$0.77) % for corresponding energy. Conclusion When tissue inhomogeneity such as lung is in tract of x-ray beam, tumor dose could be calculated from transmission dose after correction utilizing tissue density.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.354-359
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• 2008

Background: Warfarin is used as an anticoagulant and it is mainly excreted by the liver metabolism (the R-form is mainly metabolized by cytochrome p450 3A4, and the S form by cytochrome p450 2C9). Rifampin is usually used for tuberculosis or endocarditis, and it is a representative drug that induces the CYP families, including 3A4 and 2C9. The anticoagulation effect of warfarin decreases through the increased metabolism that's due to the induction of enzymes, and this iscaused by rifampin when patients take these two medicines together. No one has suggested appropriate guidelines regarding this drug interaction even though an appropriate adjustment of warfarin's dosage is needed. We examined the drug interaction in patients who received warfarin-rifampin combination therapy according to the time interval, and the factors affecting drug interaction were analyzed. Based on the data, we tried to determine the clinically available warfarin dosage guidelines before and after taking this drug combination. Material and Method: We reviewed the OO University Hospital anticoagulation service team's follow up sheets that were filled out from Jan '1998 to Sep 2006 for the patient who took warfarin - rifampin combination therapy (n=15). Result: The average INR of all the patient before rifampin administration was $2.25{\pm}0.52$ $(mean{\pm}SD)$, and that value for the first 100 days after rifampin administration was $1.98{\pm}0.28$. The p value for these two sets of data showed no correlation (paired t-test, p>0.05). The average INR of all the patient before rifampin cessation was $2.19{\pm}0.34$, and the value after rifampin cessation was $2.49{\pm}0.43$. The p value of these two showed correlation (paired t-test, p<0.05) but the average INR falls between the therapeutic INR range. Conclusion: The warfarin dose adjustment equation of before and after warfarin-rifampin combination therapy was derived based on this study's results because the warfarin dosage adjustment of the anticoagulation service team was considered appropriate.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.179-196
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• 2015

Because of our aging population, there is increasing concern about the impact of dementia and age-related cognitive decline. Intense research efforts on effective dietary interventions for the prevention or amelioration of dementia and age-related cognitive decline have indicated that dairy products affect physiological health and potentially healthy brain function during aging. Milk is a rich source of proteins and peptides with nutritional and immunotropic activities. The preparation of biologically active proteins and peptides generally requires enzymatic degradation, chemical modification, or the addition of specific co-factors. Milk-derived preparations are widely available in the food industry in the form of hygiene products and infant formulas. However, milk-derived products could also be applied as preventive or therapeutic measures for a wide-range of pathological conditions not only in neonates and infants but also in adults, including the elderly. Because they have no adverse side effects, milk-derived proteins and peptides could be used as a supplementary treatment for dementia and age-related cognitive decline.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.361-373
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• 2005

Occlusal appliance therapy has been proven to be very useful and effective in reducing signs and symptoms of patients with TMD. However, there are no reports about the masticatory efficiency of the occlusal appliance. The purpose of this study was, first, to investigate the masticatory efficiency of the conventional stabilization appliance experimentally in normal healthy subjects, by comparing it with that of their natural dentition; and, second, to develop a modified stabilization appliance as an attempt to increase masticatory efficiency. Eleven subjects (mean age 25.3 years, range from 23 to 33) participated in this study. Six were men and five were women. They were healthy and had complete or near―complete natural dentition, and did not present with signs or symptoms of TMD. Two kinds of occlusal appliances―the conventional flat maxillary stabilization appliance (i.e., FSA) and a modified maxillary stabilization appliance with additional anatomic structures on its occlusal surface (i.e., ASA)―were made for every subject. Subjects chewed peanuts that were selected as a food to test the three masticatory conditions of the natural dentition, the ASA, and the FSA. The number of chewing strokes was counted during each 1-minute chewing period. Chewed peanut boluses were recovered and their hardness was measured by texture analysis. Statistical tests were performed. The following results were obtained. 1. The masticatory efficiency of the FSA was 38.6 percent that of the natural dentition. The efficiency of the ASA was 78.2 percent that of the natural dentition. 2. The number of chewing strokes in the natural dentition condition was measured to be 1.5 strokes per second. It decreased to 90 percent in the ASA and FSA conditions. These results indicate that the ASA could serve an improved masticatory capacity as well as its therapeutic effects in TMD. A clinical application of the ASA should be considered to extend the management of TMD patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1992

Cis-Platinum (DDP) was utilized as a radiosensitizer in a pilot study for stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma between 1984-1987, and DDP 20 $mg/M^2$/day was administered for 4 days at 3 week interval with concurrent radiotherapy. This study consisted of three phases: cytoreduction phase, eradicative treatment phase and adjuvant phase. Total 59 patients were subjected to evaluate a tumor response and its toxicity. During the eradicative phase,27 patients underwent surgery (group I ), 29 patients were treated with radiotherapy only (group II) and 3 patients did not complete the second phase of therapy. At the cytoreduction phase, $95\%$ response rate with complete response (CR) $47.5\%$ and partial response (PR) $47.5\%$ was observed. Complete tumor clearance (CTC) rate following 2nd phase of therapy was $84\%$ (47/56) with 26/27($96\%$) in group I achieved CTC with surgery and 21/29 ($72\%$) patients In group II achieved CTC following 2nd phase. $67\%$ of primary lesions and $70\%$ of nodal diseases in group I showed no tumor in the surgical specimen. $34\%$ of patiets who achieved CTC at 2nd phase developed recurrence and median time to recur was 8 months. Actuarial disease free survival at 4 years was $59\%$ and $51\%$(24/27) of patients who achieved CTC at 2nd phase were alive without any evidence of disease at median follow-up 31 months (range, 10-48 months). There was no significant difference in overall and disease free survival between group I and II between CR and PR group following 1st Phase. Only significant Prognostic factor in this study was the complete tumor clearance following 2nd phase theapy. In general, toxicity was not excessive. Author concludes that this study confirmed the significant radiosensitizing effect of DDP with the acceptable toxicity and warrant the prospective study to determine optimum scheduling for DDP and radiotherapy which maximizes the therapeutic gain.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1072-1082
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• 1997

Background : To characterize the clinical features and determine the prognostic factors of severe community-acquired pneumonia. This study is the first of its kind in Korea. Methods : Recruited were 40 patients diagnosed as severe community-acquired pneumonia in Hallym University Hospital from January 1, 1989 through July 31, 1996. Patients were analysed retrospectively for age, sex, underlying disease, respiration rate, hypoxemia, requirement of mechanical ventilation, involvement on chest radiograph, shock, and the serum concentration of BUN and albumin. All parameters were compared between survived and dead group. Results : Male to female ratio was 2.07 : 1. The mean age was $63.1{\pm}17.5$years(range 25~90years) with 65% of patients aged equal to or more than 60. The major underlying diseases were old pulmonary tuberculosis(12.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(7.5%), bronchial asthma(5%), bronchiectasis(2.5%), and diabetes mellitus(22.5%). Microbiologic diagnosis was made in 26 out of 40 patients(65%). The most common causative organism was S. pneumoniae(17.5%, 7/40) followed by S. aureus(15.0%, 6/40), K. Pneumoniae(12.5%, 5/40), M. tuberculosis(7.5%, 3/40), H. influenzae(2.5%, 1/40), coagulase negative staphylococcus(2.5%, 1/40), P. aeruginosa(2.5%. 1/40), E. cloaceae(2.5%, 1/40), and E. coli(2.5%, 1/40). M. pneumoniae was detected in no patient. The most frequent drugs administered in single or combination therapy were aminoglycosides(75%, 30/40), second- and third-generation cephalosporin(40%, 16/40 and 27.5%, 11/40), macrolides(27.5%, 11/40), and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid(22.5%, 9/40). Of the 40 patients, 14 died of severe community-acquired pneumonia(37.5%). Among them, seven patients (50%) expired within 72h of hospital arrival. According to multivariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with requirement of mechanical ventilation, bilateral pulmonary involvement, and serum albumins$\leq$3.0g/dl. Conclusion : An understanding of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in severe community-acquired pneumonia identified in this study will optimize therapeutic approach in this disease and help decreasing its notorious mortality rate.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.193-203
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• 2013

The social welfare service is expanding to different field as the social welfare budget is increasing. By this opportunity, it needs to make clear of the basis of argument that the necessity of development of korean government's support and aid by social policy should be worked. Welfare economics perspective, this study used by the operating expenditure in welfare facilities for the elderly old people to effect social benefits to be gained, in other words, business value analysis. Local elderly people, provide opportunities to participate in the economic activities of the family welfare services offered to attainment of the elderly welfare policy, and provide disease prevention and health promotion opportunities, to enhance the satisfaction of life, including a wide range of impact will cause. In this study, elderly people use the welfare facilities for the elderly when they get the benefits by applying the AHP analysis techniques operating value was calculated. Elderly Welfare Center operated by the result of applying P senior welfare center Case of the metropolitan area value was estimated 248.4 billion won. Contribute to the effects caused by the cost factor of the analysis was 23.1% of the total 57.3 billion won. Independence elements 57.6 billion (23.2%), the analysis of the therapeutic elements 133.4 billion (53.7%) of the net was. The result of the study anticipates the role of basic research material for the necessity of intervention, support, and aid by the Welfare facilities for the elderly field at this point in time where the welfare budget policy in terms of universal social service is reinforced, rather than the trend, until recently, of realizing the Elderly welfare budget and service as Consumption expenditure and consumable benefits and the function of performing the effect and evaluation in tentative action of social conflict.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.473-480
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• 2005

Purpose: Adenosine myocardial perfusion SPECT has proven to be useful in the detection of coronary artery disease, in the follow up the success of various therapeutic regimens and in assessing the prognosis of coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study is to define the reproducibility of myocardial perfusion SPECT using adenosine stress testing between two consecutive Tc-99m sestaMIBI (MIBI) SPECT studies in the same subjects. Methods: Thirty patients suspected of coronary artery disease in stable condition underwent sequential Tc-99m MIBI SPECT studies using intravenous adenosine. Gamma camera, acquisition and processing protocols used for the two tests were identical and no invasive procedures were performed between two tests. Mean interval between two tests were 4.1 days (range: 2-11 days). The left ventricular wall was divided into na segments and the degree of myocardial tracer uptake was graded with four-point scoring system by visual analysis. Images were interpretated by two independent nuclear medicine physicians and consensus was taken for final decision, if segmental score was not agreeable. Results: Hemodynamic responses to adenosine were not different between two consecutive studies. There were no serious side effects to stop infusion of adenosine and side effects profile was not different. When myocardial uptake was divided into normal and abnormal uptake, 481 of 540 segments were concordant (agreement rate 89%, Kappa index 0.74). With four-grade storing system, exact agreement was 81.3% (439 of 540 segments, tau b=0.73). One and two-grade differences were observed in 97 segments (18%) and 4 segments (0.7%) respectively, but three-grade difference was not observed in any segment. Extent and severity scores were not different between two studios. The extent and severity scores of the perfusion defect revealed excellent positive correlation between two test (r value for percentage extent and severity score is 0.982 and 0.965, p<0.001) Conclusion: Hemodynamic responses and side effects profile were not different between two consecutive adenosine stress tests in the same subjects. Adenosine Tc-99m sestaMIBI SPECT is highly reproducible, and could be used to assess temporal changes in myocardial perfusion in individual patients.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 1998

Ho-l66 was produced by neutron reaction in a reactor at the Korea Atomic Energy Institute (Taejon, Korea). Ho-l66 emits a high energy beta particles with a maximum energy of 1.85 MeV and small proportion of gamma rays (80 keV). Therefore, the radiation absorbed dose estimation could be based on the in-vivo quantification of the activity in tumors from the gamma camera images. Approximately 1 mCi of Ho-l66 in solution was mixed into the flood phantom and planar scintigraphic images were acquired with and without patient interposed between the phantom and scintillation camera. Transmission factor over an area of interest was calculated from the ratio of counts in selected regions of the two images described above. A dual-head gamma camera(Multispect2, Siemens, Hoffman Estates, IL, USA) equipped with medium energy collimators was utilized for imaging(80 keV${\pm}$10%). Fifty-nine year old female patient with hepatoma was enrolled into the therapeutic protocol after the informed consent obtained. Thirty millicuries(110MBq) of Ho-166-CHICO was injected into the right hepatic arterial branch supplying hepatoma. When the injection was completed, anterior and posterior scintigraphic views of the chest and pelvic regions were obtained for 3 successive days. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn over the organs in both the anterior and posterior views. The activity in those ROIs was estimated from geometric mean, calibration factor and transmission factors. Absorbed dose was calculated using the Marinelli formula and Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) schema. Tumor dose of the patient treated with 1110 MBq(30 mCi) Ho-l66 was calculated to be 179.7 Gy. Dose distribution to normal liver, spleen, lung and bone was 9.1, 10.3, 3.9, 5.0 % of the tumor dose respectively. In conclusion, tumor dose and absorbed dose to surrounding structures were calculated by daily external imaging after the Ho-l66 therapy for hepatoma. In order to limit the thresholding dose to each surrounding organ, absorbed dose calculation provides useful information.