• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1671-1679
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• 2021

Objective: We quantitatively measured the fat fraction (FF) in the vertebrae of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and investigated the role of FF as an indicator of both active inflammation and chronicity. Materials and Methods: A total of 52 patients with AS who underwent spinal MRI were retrospectively evaluated. The FF values of the anterosuperior and anteroinferior corners of the bone marrow in the L1-S1 spine were assessed using the modified Dixon technique. AS activity was measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and serum inflammatory marker levels. AS disease chronicity was assessed by AS disease duration and the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS). Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to investigate the correlation between FF and other clinical characteristics. Results: The mean FF ± standard deviation of the total lumbar spine was 43.0% ± 11.3%. At univariable analysis, spinal FF showed significant negative correlation with BASDAI (β = -0.474, p = 0.002) and ASDAS with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP; β = -0.478, p = 0.002) and a significant positive correlation with AS disease duration (β = 0.440, p = 0.001). After adjusting for patient age, sex, and total mSASSS score, spinal FF remained significantly negatively correlated with BASDAI (β = -0.543, p < 0.001), ASDAS-CRP (β = -0.568, p < 0.001), and ASDAS with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (β = -0.533, p = 0.001). Spinal FF was significantly lower in patients with very high disease activity (ASDAS-CRP > 3.5) than in those with only high disease activity (2.1 ≤ ASDAS-CRP ≤ 3.5) (p = 0.010). Conclusion: Spinal FF may help assess both AS disease activity and chronicity.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.258-263
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• 2018

This study attempted to utilize ultrafine precipitated calcium carbonate for fluoride removal from the wastewater of electronics industries. An average particle size of the calcium carbonate was $0.96{\mu}m$, and pH of the aqueous slurry was 10 with 70% in mass. The suspension solution showed approximately 2 mL/hr of the sedimentation rate. The present calcium carbonate solution could be comparable to the conventional aqueous calcium source, $Ca(OH)_2$, for the neutralization and removal of fluoride ions. Depending on the amount of an additional alkali source, less amounts of test Ca-source slurries were required to reach the solution pH of 7.0 than that of using the aqueous calcium hydroxide. It was also found from XRD analysis that more calcium fluoride precipitates were formed by the addition of calcium carbonate solution rather than that of calcium hydroxide. In addition, Minteq equilibrium modelling estimated various ion complexes of fluoride and calcium in this process.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2019

Objective: Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) mediates various biological processes in humans. The goal of this study was to investigate whether VDBP gene polymorphisms could predispose Korean women to endometriosis. Methods: We prospectively enrolled women with endometriosis (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 16). Total serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured using an Elecsys vitamin D total kit. Levels of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D were calculated. Concentrations of VDBP were measured using a vitamin D BP Quantikine ELISA kit. DNA was extracted using a DNeasy blood & tissue kit. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs4588 and rs7041) in GC, the gene that codes for VDBP, were analyzed using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay kit. The functional variant of VDBP was determined based on the results of the two SNPs. Results: Gravidity and parity were significantly lower in the endometriosis patients than in the control group, but serum CA-125 levels and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher. Total serum 25(OH)D levels in the endometriosis patients were significantly lower than in the control group. However, serum bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D, and VDBP levels did not differ significantly between the endometriosis and control groups. The genotypes and allele frequencies of GC were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Korean women with endometriosis had lower total serum 25(OH)D concentrations than controls. Neither serum VDBP concentrations nor polymorphisms in the gene coding for VDBP were associated with endometriosis. Further studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiology and clinical implications of 25(OH)D and VDBP in endometriosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.507-516
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• 2015

Debris flow is a representative natural disaster in Korea and occurs frequently every year. Recently, it has caused considerable damage to property and considerable loss of life in both mountainous and urban regions. Therefore, It is necessary to estimate the scope of damage for a large area in order to predict the debris flow. A response model such as the random walk model(RWM) can be used as a useful tool instead of a physics-based numerical model. RWM is a probability model that simplifies both debris flows and sedimentation characteristics as a factor of slopes for a subjective site and represents a relatively simple calculation method compared to other debris flow behavior calculation models. Although RWM can be used to analyzing and predicting the scope of damage caused by a debris flow, input variables for terrain conditions are yet to be determined. In this study, optimal input variables were estimated using DEM generated from the Aerial Photograph and LiDAR data of Mt. Umyeon, Seoul, where a large-scale debris flow occurred in 2011. Further, the deposition volume resulting from the debris flow was predicted using the input variables for a specific area in which the deposition volume could not be calculated because of work restoration and the passage of time even though a debris flow occurred there. The accuracy of the model was verified by comparing the result of predicting the deposition volume in the debris flow with the result obtained from a debris flow behavior analysis model, Debris 2D.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.860-865
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• 2005

A gene for a putative glucoamylase, stg, of a hyperthermophilic archae on Sulfolobus tokodaii was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant glucoamylase (STGA) had an optimal temperature of $80^{\circ}C$ and was extremely thermostable with a D-value of 17 hr. The pH optimum of the enzyme was 4.5. Being different from fungal glucoamylases, STGA hydrolyzed maltotriose (G3) most efficiently. Gel permeation chromatography and sedimentation equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation analysis showed that the enzyme existed as a dimer. STGA was stable enough to hydrolyze liquefied com starch to glucose in 4 hr at $90^{\circ}C$ with a yield of95%. Comparison of the $k_{cat}$ values for the hydrolysis and the reverse reaction at $75^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$ indicated that glucose production by STGA was more efficient at $90^{\circ}C$ than $75^{\circ}C$. Therefore, STGA showed great potential for application to the industrial glucose production process due to its high thermostability.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.470-480
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• 2019

The Doam lake watershed was designated as a non-point pollution management area in 2007 to improve water quality based on watershed management implementation. There have been studies of non-point source reduction with respect to the watershed management impacting the pollutant transport of the reservoir. However, a little attention has been focused on the impact of water quality improvement by the management of the dam operation or the guidelines on the dam operation. In this study, the impact of in-lake management practices combined with watershed management is analyzed, and the appropriate guidelines on the operation of the dam are suggested. The integrated modeling system by coupling with the watershed model (HSPF) and reservoir water quality model (CE-QUAL-W2) was applied for analyzing the impact of water quality management practices. A scenario implemented with sedimentation basin and suspended matter barrier showed decrease in SS concentration up to 4.6%. The SS concentration increased in the scenarios adjusting withdrawal location from EL.673 m to the upper direction(EL.683 m and EL.688 m). The water quality was comparably high when the scenario implemented all in-lake practices with water intake at EL.673 m. However, there was improvement in water quality when the height of the water intake was moved to EL.688 m during the summer by preventing sediments inflow after the rainfall. Therefore, to manage water quality of the Doam lake, it is essential to control the water quality by modulating the height of water intake through consistent turbidity monitoring during rainfall.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors for the development of coronary artery lesions (CALs) and to determine whether hyponatremia is associated with CALs in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 105 children with KD who were admitted to Ilsan Hospital between January 2000 and July 2011. Results: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = 0.013), total bilirubin levels (P = 0.017) were higher and serum sodium levels (P = 0.027) were lower in KD children with CALs than those without. White blood cell (WBC) counts (P = 0.006), neutrophil counts (P = 0.003) were higher and albumin levels (P = 0.009) were lower in KD children with hyponatremia than those without. On multiple logistic regression analysis, hyponatremia (P = 0.024) and intravenous immunoglobulin-resistance (P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for CALs in KD. Furthermore, serum sodium levels were correlated negatively with WBC counts (P = 0.004), neutrophil counts (P < 0.001), total bilirubin levels (P = 0.005) and positively with albumin levels (P = 0.009). Conclusion: Our study indicates that hyponatremia may reflect severe inflammation in children with KD.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 1985

The Changgu Bay, a macrotidal coastal embayment of the west coast of Korea, is an area of extensive intertidal sedimentation. Three types of major sediment facies are identified based on grain size analysis: silt, sandy-silt, and silty-sand facies. It is found that intertidal sediment facies comprise a continuum of progressively finer sediments from lower flat to upper one. The X-radiography of the cores in the intertidal zone show a wide variety of physical and biogenic sedimentary structures. The major structures include bioturbation, current ripple and parallel-laminae. Bioturbations are observed in all core samples, especially in the silt flat zone. The degree of bioturbation increases laterally from sandy facies (low tide level) to silt facies (high tide level) due to favorable properties of fine mud for organisms. The ripple laminae, composed of current ripple foresets, characterize the silty-sand and sandy-silt flats. The parallel laminae are extensively bioturbated, and two types of laminae are distinguishable; thick-laminae with a thickness of 1 to 5mm and thin-laminae with a thickness of less than 1mm.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.456-466
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was designed to determine the effects of pre-warming on core body temperature (CBT) and hemodynamics from the induction of spinal anesthesia until 30 min postoperatively in surgical patients who undergo total hip replacement under spinal anesthesia. Our goal was to assess postoperative shivering and inflammatory response. Methods: Sixty-two surgical patients were recruited by informed notice. Data for this study were collected at a 1,300-bed university hospital in Incheon, South Korea from January 15 through November 15, 2013. Data on CBT, systemic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate were measured from arrival in the pre-anesthesia room to 3 hours after the induction of spinal anesthesia. Shivering was measured for 30 minutes post-operatively. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured pre-operatively, and 1 and 2 days postoperatively. The 62 patients were randomly allocated to an experimental group (EG), which underwent pre-warming for 30 minutes, or a control group (CG), which did not undergo pre-warming. Results: Analysis of CBT from induction of spinal anesthesia to 3 hours after induction revealed significant interaction between group and time (F=3.85, p=.008). In addition, the incidence of shivering in the EG was lower than that in the CG ($x^2=6.15$, p=.013). However, analyses of SBP, heart rate, CRP, and ESR did not reveal significant interaction between time and group. Conclusion: Pre-warming for 30 minutes is effective in increasing CBT 2 and 3 hours after induction of spinal anesthesia. In addition, pre-warming is effective in decreasing post-operative shivering.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.477-488
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• 2018

In this study, heavy metal levels at the sediment monitoring network site upstream of the Gangjeong-Goryeong weir in the Nakdong River were surveyed from 2012 to 2016. We assessed the sediment pollution level using various pollution indexes based on ICP-MS analysis. The stream sediment pollution assessment standard, established through Regulation No. 687 of the National Institute of Environmental Research (2015), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (RI), and mean PEL Quotient (mPELQ) were used to evaluate the sediment pollution level. We verified the representativeness of the monitoring point through the distribution of sedimentation and scour behavior by river bed surveying using anacousticDopplercurrentprofiler.