• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2011

Social welfare services for respiratory-disabled persons in Korea are offered based on the respiratory impairment grade, which is determined by 3 clinical parameters; dyspnea, forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$), and arterial oxygen tension. This grading system has several limitations in the objective assessment of respiratory impairment. We reviewed several guidelines for the evaluation of respiratory impairment and relevant articles. Then, we discussed a new grading system with respiratory physicians. Both researchers and respiratory physicians agreed that pulmonary function tests are essential in assessing the severity of respiratory impairment, forced vital capacity (FVC), $FEV_1$ and single breath diffusing capacity ($DL_{co}$) are the primarily recommended tests. In addition, we agreed that arterial blood gas analysis should be reserved for selected patients. In conclusion, we propose a new respiratory impairment grading system utilizing a combination FVC, $FEV_1$ and $DL_{co}$ scores, with more social discussion included.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the roughness and surface alternations of three differently blasted titanium discs treated by $Nd:YVO_4$ Laser irradiation in different conditions. Materials and methods: Thirty commercially pure titanium discs were prepared and divided into three groups. Each group was consisted of 10 samples and blasted by $ZrO_2$ (zirconium dioxide), $Al_2O_3$ (aluminum oxide), and RBM (resorbable blasted media). All the samples were degreased by ultrasonic cleaner afterward. Nine different conditions were established by changing scanning speed (100, 300, 500 mm/s) and repetition rate (5, 15, 35 kHz) of $Nd:YVO_4$ Laser (Laser Pro D-20, Laserval $Korea^{(R)}$, Seoul, South Korea). After laser irradiation, a scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis, and surface roughness analysis were used to assess the roughness and surface alternations of the samples. Results: According to a scanning electron microscope (SEM), titanium discs treated with laser irradiation showed characteristic patterns in contrast to the control which showed irregular patterns. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, only $Al_2O_3$ group showed its own peak. The oxidation tendency and surface roughness of titanium were similar to the control in the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis. The surface roughness was inversely proportional to the scanning speed, whereas proportional to the repetition rate of $Nd:YVO_4$. Conclusion: The surface microstructures and roughness of the test discs were modified by the radiation of $Nd:YVO_4$ laser. Therefore, laser irradiation could be considered one of the methods to modify implant surfaces for the enhancement of osseointegration.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2011

A method to get a size of the radiation isocenter of linear accelerators using star-shot images was presented and a computer program was developed to automate the method. Accuracy of the method was verified. The developed program was used to measure sizes of the radiation isocenters for a Clinac 21EX (Varian, USA) using data of quality assurance (QA) performed from June 2008 to December 2010. To calculated the size of radiation isocenter, positions of two points on each central ray of the star-shot image were found and the equation of the central ray was determined using the positions of two points. Using the equations of central rays the radius of the minimum circle intersecting all the central rays, which is one half of the size of radiation isocenter, was calculated. The program measured x-intercepts and y-intercepts of the central rays within errors of 0.084 mm and sizes of radiation isocenters within 0.053 mm. All the errors were less than the spatial resolution of star-shot images 0.085 mm. The radiation isocenter sizes of Clinac 21EX were $0.33{\pm}0.27mm$, $0.71{\pm}0.36mm$, $0.50{\pm}0.16mm$ for collimator, gantry and couch respectively. During the measurement period all the measured sizes were less than 2.0 mm and within tolerance. The developed program could calculate the size of radiation isocenters and it would be helpful to routine QA.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2015

The radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is an important Brassicaceae root vegetable crop worldwide. Several studies have been conducted concerning radish breeding. There are major challenges to prevent premature bolting in spring plantings. Here, we performed the characterization of two inbred radish lines which vary in bolting time. "Late bolting radish" (NH-JS1) and "early bolting radish" (NH-JS2) were generated by a conventional breeding approach. The two inbred lines showed different bolting phenotypes depending on vernalization time at $4^{\circ}C$. NH-JS1, the late bolting radish, was less sensitive to cold treatment and the less sensitivity was inversely proportional to the duration of the vernalization. We also measured gene expression levels of the major bolting time related genes in the NH-JS1 and NH-JS2 lines. RsFLC1 plays a central role in the timing of flowering initiation. It is a strong repressor and it's transcript is highly expressed in NH-JS1 compared to NH-JS2 under no treatment and vernalization conditions. RsFRI, a positive regulator of RsFLC, is also highly expressed in NH-JS1 compared to NH-JS2 regardless of vernalization. In contrast, RsSOC1, suppressed by FLC as a floral integrator gene, showed the most difference, a 5-fold increase, between NH-JS1 and NH-JS2 under vernalization conditions. From these results, we conclude that NH-JS1 showed a late flowering phenotype after cold treatment due to the expression differences of flowering time regulator genes rather than difference sensitivity to cold. These results may be useful to understand the control mechanisms of flowering time and may help identify molecular markers for selecting late bolting trait in radish.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.194-200
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• 2009

Purpose: This aim of this study was to evaluate changes in gastric volume and organ position as a result of delayed gastric emptying after a subtotal gastrectomy performed as part of the treatment of stomach cancer. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 32 patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy after a subtotal gastrectomy from March 2005 to December 2008 were reviewed. Of these, 5 patients that had more than 50 cc of residual gastric food detected at computed tomography (CT) simulation, were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Gastric volume and organ location was measured from CT images obtained before radiotherapy, twice weekly. In addition, authors evaluated the change of radiation dose distribution to planning the target volume and normal organ in a constant radiation therapy plan regardless of gastric volume variation. Results: A variation in the gastric volume was observed during the radiotherapy period (64.2~340.8 cc; mean, 188.2 cc). According to the change in gastric volume, the location of the left kidney was shifted up to 0.7 - 2.2 cm (mean, 1.2 cm) in the z-axis. Under-dose to planning target volume (V43, 79.5${\pm}$10.4%) and over-dose to left kidney (V20, 34.1${\pm}$12.1%; Mean dose, 23.5${\pm}$8.3 Gy) was expected, given that gastric volume change due to delayed gastric emptying wasn't taken into account. Conclusion: This study has shown that a great change in gastric volume and left kidney location may occur during the radiation therapy period following a subtotal gastrectomy, as a result of delayed gastric emptying. Detection of patients who experienced delayed gastric emptying and the application of gastric volume variation to radiation therapy planning will be very important.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2011

This experiment was carried out to compare the growth characteristics and forage productivity between Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and Oats (Avena sativa L.) sown in early spring on trial field of Grassland and Forages Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Cheonan and Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Naju in 2007 and 2008. Varieties used were Swan and Foothill in early- and late-maturing Oats, and Kospeed and Hwasan 101 in early- and late-maturing Italian ryegrass, respectively. In early-maturing variety, heading date of Swan was 14 May that was earlier one day than that of Kospeed. Plant length of Swan was 92cm that was longer 4cm than that of Kospeed. Average dry matter (DM) yield of 3 trial regions was not significantly different between Kospeed (6,809 kg/ha) and Swan (6,756 kg/ha) but DM yield of Italian ryegrass Hwasan 101 was less 35% than that of Swan. Average total digestible nutrient (TDN) yield of 3 trial regions was not significantly different between Kospeed (4,240 kg/ha) and Swan (4,162 kg/ha). In paddy cultivation of Naju, TDN yield of Kospeed was 4,154 kg/ha that was more 45% than that of Swan. Forage feed value was similar Kospeed to Swan in early maturing variety. Considering TDN yield and feed value of forage, early-maturing variety of Italian ryegrass was effective for spring-sown cultivation and suitable for forage production on paddy in southland of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 1999

Objectives: To study the clinical features of the primary nasal/nasopharyngeal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and to evaluate the implication of immunophenotyping as a prognostic factor. Patients and Methods: From January 1990 to December 1997,41 patients(median age, 41 years) of primary nasal/nasopharyngeal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were studied. The clinical records and paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were reviewed retrospectively. The histologic features, immunophenotypic findings(pan-T, pan-B, CD3, CD56) and Epstein-Barr virus in situ hybridizatios were examined. The prognostic factors for clinical outcome were evaluated in these patients. According to Ann-Arbor system, there were 30 patiets(73%) with stage IE, 4(10%) with stage IIE, 3(7%) with stage IIIE, 4(10%) with stage IVE lymphoma. Among the patients with stage IE/IIE, 4 patients received local radiation alone, 4 received chemotherapy alone, 25 received combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy and 1 refused treatment. The patients with stage IIIE/IVE were given combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results: Immunophenotyping were performed in 40 patients and staining results were as follows: 3(7%) patients with B cell, 17(42%) with T cell, 18(44%) with NK/T cell(CD56 positive), and two patients with unclassifiable result. Epstein-Barr(EB) virus in situ hybridization were performed in 28 patients and 23(82%) patients had positive EBV-encoded RNAs(EBERs). 21(55%) patients achieved a complete remission. There was no difference in complete remission between radiation alone and combination therapy. With median follow-up of 30 months, 5-years disease free survival of complete responders was 60% and 5-years overall survival rate was 36%. Multivariate analysis showed that better overall survival was related with absence of B symptoms, ECOG performance${\leq}1$ and non-NK cells. Conclusion: Most of all cases were positive for EBER. Since NK/T phenotype carried the worst prognosis, analysis for CD56 expression should be done. Further prospective studies were warranted to evaluate the role of chemotherapy in stage IE/IIE.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.769-777
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• 2002

Using four components - nonionic surfactants, water, hydrocarbon oil and an alcohol as cosurfactant, 12 types of cleaning agents were prepared, and their physical properties such as surface tension, viscosity, electroconductivity and phase stability were measured. As the formulated cleaning agents have low surface tensions(30.5-31.1 dyne/cm) and low viscosities (1.6-7.2 c.p.), they are satisfied with the general physical properties of water-in-oil(W/O) microemulsions for their industrial use. They showed a tendency that their temperature range for stable one-phase microemulsion decreased in accordance with the increase of alcohol/surfactant(A/S) ratio in the formulations. However, the temperature range of one-phase microemulsion was much more affected by hydrophilic lipophillic balance(HLB) value of the nonionic surfactant which increased its temperature range and it increased in accordance with the higher HLB value in the formulations. And the maximum content of water which can keep stable one-phase W/O microemulsion was measured at each sample. In addition, their temperature range for stable one-phase microemulsion was also measured. It was confirmed that the selection of surfactant type was very important for formulating a cleaning agent, since the W/O microemulsion system with the nonionic surfactant of the lower HLB value showed better cleaning efficacy that of the higher HLB value for abietic acid as a soil, which was used for preparing a rosin-type flux. In the formulated cleaning agents with the increase of A/S ratio in the formulations, however, there was no significant difference in cleaning efficacy. It was investigated that the differences of their cleaning efficacy was affected by the change of the condition of temperature and sonicating frequency as important factors in the industrial cleaning. That is, the higher, their cleaning temperature and the lower, their sonicating frequency, the more increased, their cleaning efficacy. Furthermore, using optical instruments like UV/Visable Spectrophotometer and FT-IR Spectrometer, their cleaning efficacy for abietic acid was measured. The removal of soil from the contaminated rinse water was measured by gravity separation method in the rinse bath. As a result, the cleaning agent system having the nonionic surfactant of HLB value 6.4 showed over 85% water-oil separation efficacy at over $25^{\circ}C$. Therefore, it was demonstrated in this work that the formulating cleaning agents were very effective for cleaning and economical in the possible introduction of water recycling system.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.63-76
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• 2014

Objectives : This study investigated the improvement effects of Pakistani (DF-a) and Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan (DF-b) on obesity in a high fat diet-fed obese mouse model. Methods : Eight-week-old C57BL/6N mice were divided into four groups: a normal lean group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a high fat diet, and DF-a and DF-b groups given a high fat diet with DF-a (80 mg/kg), and DF-b (80 mg/kg), respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood lipid markers, fat weight and histology were examined. Results : 1. Body weight gain and fat mass were significantly decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. The extent of decreases was eminent in DF-a group. 2. Feeding efficiency ratio and circulating leptin concentration were significantly decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control, whereas circulating adiponectin concentration was increased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. 3. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain and fat mass, circulating concentrations of triglyceride, glucose and insulin were decreased in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. 4. The size of adipocytes were decreased by DF-a and DF-b compared with control, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased by them, suggesting that DF-a and DF-b decreased the number of large adipocytes. 5. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, liver fibrosis was reduced in DF-a and DF-b groups compared with control. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that DF-a and DF-b not only decrease feeding efficiency ratio, plasma leptin concentration, and blood anti-obesity biomarkers, but also reduce fat mass, contributing to the improvement of obesity. DF-a and DF-b also inhibit liver fibrosis. In addition, these effects were similar between Pakistani Ephedra herba and Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2011

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a substantially under-diagnosed disorder, and the diagnosis is usually delayed until the disease is advanced. However, the benefit of early diagnosis is not yet clear, and there are no guidelines in Korea for doing early diagnosis. This review highlights several issues regarding early diagnosis of COPD. On the basis of several lines of evidence, early diagnosis seems quite necessary and beneficial to patients. Early diagnosis can be approached by several methods, but it should be confirmed by quality-controlled spirometry. Compared with its potential benefit, the adverse effects of spirometry or pharmacotherapy appear relatively small. Although it is difficult to evaluate the benefit of early diagnosis by well-designed trials, several lines of evidence suggest that we should try to diagnose and manage patients with COPD at early stages of the disease.