• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.500-518
• /
• 1996

Background : The solitary pulmonary nodule(SPN) presents a diagnostic dilemma to the physician and the patient. Many clinical characteristics(i.e. age, smoking history, prior history of malignancy) and radiological characteristics( i.e. size, calcification, growth rate, several findings of computed tomography) have been proposed to help to determine whether the SPN was benign or malignant. However, most of these diagnostic guidelines are based on the data collected before computed tomography(CT) has been introduced and lung cancer was not as common as these days. Moreover, it is not well established whether these guidelines from western populations could be applicable to Korean patients. Methods : We had a retrospective analysis of the case records and radiographic findings in 114 patients presenting with SPN from Jan. 1994 to Feb. 1995 in Seoul National University Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital. Results : We observed the following results ; (1) Out of 113 SPNs, the etiology was documented in 94 SP IS. There were 34 benign SP s and 60 malignant SPNs. Among which, 49 SPNs were primary lung cancers and the most common hi stologic type was adenocarcinoma. (2) The average age of patients with benign and malignant SPNs was $49.7{\pm}12.0$ and $58.1{\pm}10.0$ years, respectively( p=0.0004), and the malignant SPNs had a striking linear propensity to increase with age. (3) No significant difference in the hi story of smoking was noted between the patients with benign SPNs($13.0{\pm}17.6$ pack- year) and those with malignant SPNs($18.6{\pm}25.1$ pack-year) (p=0.2108). (4) 9 out of 10 patients with prior history of malignancy had malignant SPNs. 5 were new primary lung cancers with no relation to prior malignancy. (5) The average size of benign SPNs($3.01{\pm}1.20cm$) and malignant SPNs($2.98{\pm}0.97cm$) was not significantly different(p=0.8937). (6) The volume doubling time could be calculated in 22 SPNs. 9 SPNs had the volume doubling time longer than 400 days. Out of these, 6 were malignant SPNs. (7) The CT findings suggesting malignancy included the lobulated or spiculated border, air- bronchogram, pleural tail, and lymphadenopathy. In contrast, calcification, central low attenuation, cavity with even thickness, well-marginated border, and peri nodular micronodules were more suggestive for benign nodule. (8) The diagnostic yield of percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy was 57.6%(19/33) of benign SPNs and 81.0%(47/58) of malignant SPNs. The diagnostic value of sputum analysis and bronchoscopic evaluations were relatively very low. (9) 42.3%(11/26) of SPNs of undetermined etiology preoperatively turned out to be malignant after surgical resection. Overall, 75.4%(46/61) of surgically resected SPNs were malignant. Conclusions : We conclude that the likelihood of malignant SPN correlates the age of patient, prior history of malignancy, some CT findings including lobulated or spiculated border, air-bronchogram, pleural tail and lymphadenopathy. However, the history of smoking, the size of the nodule, and the volume doubling time are not helpful to determent whether the SPN is benign or malignant, which have been regarded as valuable clinical parameters previously. We suggest that aggressive diagnostic approach including surgical resection is necessary in patient with SPNs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.504-512
• /
• 1994

Background: It is well known that severe hypoxemia is often associated with liver cirrhosis without preexisting cardiac or pulmonary diseases. Pulmonary vascular impairments, more specifically, intrapulmonary shunting have been considered as a major mechanism. Intrapulmonary shunting arises from pulmonary vascular dilatation at the precapillary level or direct arteriovenous communication and has relationship with the characteristic skin findings of spider angioma. However, these results are mainly from Western countries where alcoholic and primary biliary cirrhosis are dominant cuases of cirrhosis. It is uncertain that the same is true in viral hepatitiss associated liver cirrhosis, which is dominant causes of liver cirrhosis in Korea. We investigated the incidences of hypoxemia and orthodeoxia in Korean cirrhotic patients dominantly composed of postnecrotic cirrhosis and the significance of intrapulmonary shunting as the suggested mechanism of hypoxemia, Method: We performed the arterial blood gas analysis separately both at the supine and errect position in 48 stable cirrhotic patients without the evidences of severe complications such as ascites, variceal bleeding, and hepatic coma. According to the results of arterial blood gas analysis, all patients were divided into hypoxemic and normoxemic group. In each group, pulmonary function test and Tc-99m-MAA whole body scan were performed. The shunting fraction was calculated based on the fact that the sum of cerebral and bilateral renal blood flow is 32% of the systemic blood flow. Results: The hypoxemia of $PaO_2$ less than 80 mmHg was observed in 9 patients(18.8%) and Orthodeoxia more than 10 mmHg was observed in 8 patients(16.7%). But there was no patient with significant hypoxemia of $PaO_2$ less than 60 mmHg. $PaO_2$ was significantly decreased in the patients with spider angioma than the pathients without spider angioma and showed no correlation with the serologic type and severities of liver function test findings. Any parameters of pulmonary function test did not demonstrate the difference between normoxemic and hypoxemic group. But hypoxemic group showed significantly increased shunt fraction of $11.4{\pm}4.1%$ than normoxemic group of $4.1{\pm}2.0%$ (p<0.05). Conclusions: Hypoxemia is not infrequently observed complication in liver cirrhosis and intrapulmonary shunting is suggested to p1ay a major ro1e in the development of hypxemia. But there was no great likelihood of clinically significant hypoxemia in our domestic cirrhotic patients predominantly composed of postnecrotic type.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.158-173
• /
• 2012

The objectives of this study were to analyze the longitudinal gradient and temporal variations of water quality in Daecheong Reservoir in relation to the major inflowing streams from the watershed, during 2001~2010. For the study, we selected 7 main-stream sites of the reservoir along the main axis of the reservoir, from the headwater to the dam and 8 tributary streams. In-reservoir nutrients of TN and TP showed longitudinal declines from the headwater to the dam, which results in a distinct zonation of the riverine ($R_z$, M1~M3), transition ($T_z$, M4~M6), and lacustrine zone ($L_z$, M7) in water quality, as shown in other foreign reservoirs. Chlorophyll-a (CHL) and BOD as an indicator of organic matter, were maximum in the $T_z$. Concentration of total phosphorus (TP) was the highest (8.52 $mg\;L^{-1}$) on March in the $R_z$, and was the highest (165 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) in the $L_z$ on July. Values of TN was the maximum (377 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) on August in the $R_z$, and was the highest (3.76 $mg\;L^{-1}$) in the $L_z$ on August. Ionic dilution was evident during September~October, after the monsoon rain. The mean ratios of TN : TP, as an indicator of limiting factor, were 88, which indicates that nitrogen is a surplus for phytoplankton growth in this system. Nutrient analysis of inflowing streams showed that major nutrient sources were headwater streams of T1~T2 and Ockcheon-Stream of T5, and the most influential inflowing stream to the reservoir was T5, which is located in the mid-reservoir, and is directly influenced by the waste-water treatment plants. The key parameters, influenced by the monsoon rain, were TP and suspended solids (SS). Empirical models of trophic variables indicated that variations of CHL in the $R_z$ ($R^2$=0.044, p=0.264) and $T_z$ ($R^2$=0.126, p=0.054) were not accounted by TN, but were significant (p=0.032) in the $L_z$. The variation of the log-transformed $I_r$-CHL was not accounted ($R^2$=0.258, p=0.110) by $I_w$-TN of inflowing streams, but was determined ($R^2$=0.567, p=0.005) by $I_w$-TP of inflowing streams. In other words, TP inputs from the inflowing streams were the major determinants on the in-reservoir phytoplankton growth. Regression analysis of TN : TP suggested that the ratio was determined by P, rather than N. Overall, our data suggest that TP and suspended solids, during the summer flood period, should be reduced from the eutrophication control and P-input from Ockcheon-Stream should be controlled for water quality improvement.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.549-555
• /
• 2007

Purpose : Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI) are simple, non-invasive methods to assess arterial stiffness. These parameters are also known to be closely related to cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. The purposes of this study were to measure blood pressure, PWV, ABI in healthy Korean adolescents, set up their normal values and assess their correlations. Methods : Three hundred ninety two healthy adolescents (213 boys and 179 girls) underwent measurement of brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), ABI, body mass index(BMI) and blood pressure from four extremities. Linear regression analysis was performed to reveal the correlations between PWV, ABI and independent variables. Results : Blood pressure and PWV were significantly higher in all extremities in males compared to females. Blood pressure of both brachial and ankle showed positive correlation with body weight, height, and BMI, whereas ABI showed no correlation with any of these indices. Conclusion : Blood pressure increases as body weight, height and BMI increases. PWV shows positive correlation with blood pressure. It will be helpful to predict the risks of cardiovascular diseases in adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.92-98
• /
• 2004

The adsorption and desorption of Pb, Cd, Co, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, and Mo on the waste Undaria sp. were studied. Except for Pb. the mono adsorption rate for all heavy metals were lower than that of the heavy metals mixed. However, the adsorption capacity of the heavy metals by 1g of biosorption, in mixed heavy metals increased According to FT-IR analysis of the biosorbent after heavy metal biosorption, the replacement of the functional group by the heavy metals ions could be confirmed and the inverted peaks became larger after heavy metals adsorption. The adsorption equilibrium of heavy metals was reached in about 1 hour. The equilibrium parameters were determined based on Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The affinity of metals on the biosorbent decreased in the following order: Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd>Co. The desorption rate decreased in the following sequence: NTA>$H_2SO_4$>HCl>EDTA. The desorption rate of heavy metals by NTA increased with increase in the concentration from 0.1 to 0.3% but the desorption rate became constant beyond 0.3%. Therefore, it represented that desorption rate of heavy metals was suitable under optimized condition ($30^{\circ}C$, pH 2 and 0.3% NTA solution) and was fast with 80% or more the uptake occurring within 10 min of contact time.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.311-322
• /
• 2008

The objectives of the study were to analyze chemical water quality and physical habitat characteristics in the urban streams (Miho and Gap streams) along with evaluations of fish community structures and ecosystem health, throughout fish composition and guild analyses during 2006$\sim$2007. Concentrations of BOD and COD averaged 3.5 and 5.7 mg L$^{-1}$, in the urban streams, while TN and TP averaged 5.1 mg L$^{-1}$ and 274 ${\mu}g$ L$^{-1}$, indicating an eutrophic state. Especially, organic pollution and eutrophication were most intense in the downstream reach of both streams. Total number of fish was 34 species in the both streams, and the most abundant species was Zacco platypus (32$\sim$42% of the total). In both streams, the relative abundance of sensitive species was low (23%) and tolerant and omnivores were high (45%, 52%), indicating an typical tolerance and trophic guilds of urban streams in Korea. According to multi-metric models of Stream Ecosystem Health Assessments (SEHA), model values were 19 and 24 in Miho Stream and Gap Stream, respectively. Habitat analysis showed that QHEI (Qulatitative Habitat Evaluation Index) values were 123 and 135 in the two streams, respectively. The minimum values in the SEHA and QHEI were observed in the both downstreams, and this was mainly attributed to chemical pollutions, as shown in the water quality parameters. The model values of SEHA were strongly correlated with conductivity (r=-0.530, p=0.016), BOD (r=-0.578, p< 0.01), COD (r=-0.603, p< 0.01), and nutrients (TN, TP: r>0.40, p<0.05). This model applied in this study seems to be a useful tool, which could reflect the chemical water quality in the urban streams. Overall, this study suggests that consistent ecological monitoring is required in the urban streams for the conservations along with ecological restorations in the degradated downstrems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.7
• /
• pp.966-974
• /
• 2010

The aim of this study was to examine characteristics between nutrient intakes, body composition and physical fitness in gifted athletic boys. The subjects were conducted in 50 boys aged 9~12 years living in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Dietary intake information was collected from participants using 3-day food recorded and body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and their anthropometric parameters were measured. Swimming group's daily energy intakes were significantly higher compared to those of other groups. Athletics and swimming groups were significantly taller than gymnastics. Swimming group was significantly higher than gymnastics group in weight, fat mass, body fat percent and lean body mass. Athletics and swimming groups were significantly longer than gymnastics group in sit and ball throwing. Swimming group was significantly better than other groups in sit up, and athletics group was significantly faster than gymnastics group in 50 m run. In correlation result for nutrient intake and body composition: 1) Body weight shows positive correlation with protein, phosphorus, sodium, vitamin $B_1$, C and niacin. BMI shows positive correlation with sodium and niacin. Fat mass shows positive correlation with niacin and folate. Body fat% shows positive correlation with vitamin C, E, niacin and folate. LBM shows positive correlation with all elements except lipid, calcium, vitamin A, C, E and folate. In correlation result for nutrient intake and physical fitness: 2) Push up shows positive correlation with iron and vitamin C. Sit and throw ball shows positive correlation with the events except lipid, fiber, vitamin A, E and folate. Sit up shows positive correlation with vitamin $B_1$. Half squat shows positive correlation with iron. Standing long jump shows positive correlation with total energy, lipid, and vitamin A, B and $B_2$. Long run shows negative correlation with protein, carbohydrate, fiber, phosphorus, iron, sodium and zinc. Side step shows positive correlation with niacin. Sit and reach shows negative correlation with total energy, carbohydrate, phosphorus, sodium, zinc and vitamin $B_2$. In correlation result for body composition and physical fitness: 3) Sit and throw ball shows positive correlation with body weight, BMI, fat mass, body fat% and LBM. Standing long jump shows positive correlation with LBM. But long run and 50 m run shows negative correlation with body weight and LBM.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.279-289
• /
• 2000

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of coagulants and solid-liquid separation methods on algal removal in water treatment processes. Thus characterization of raw water quality in terms of turbidity. UV-254, $KMnO_4$ consumption, chlorophyll-a and correlation analysis of these parameters were conducted. In addition, the effect of commercial Al-based coagulants(Alum. PAC and PACS) on algal removal was studied by turbidity and organic removal, algal species removal, characteristic of pH drop and alkalinity consumption using laboratory jar tests. Organic components including UV-254, $KMnO_4$ consumption, chlorophyll-a in case of algal bloom were highly correlated with turbidity and the correlation coefficients of UV-254, $KMnO_4$ consumption, chlorophyll-a with turbidity were 0.775, 0674 and 0.623, respectively. In coagulation and sedimentation, the Al-based coagulants showed similar efficiency of organic and turbidity removal in low organic($KMnO_4$ consumption below 15mg/l) and low turbidity(below 30NTU). However, PAC and PACS showed better algal removal than alum in high organic concentration($KMnO_4$ consumption above 20mg/l) and high turbidity(above 100NTU) raw water conditions generated by high algal growth, which is considered to be due to the floc settleability. In comparison of sedimentation and flotation after chemical coagulation and flocculation, the removal efficiency of organic and turbidity were higher in case of alum dose with flotation than with sedimentation, while those were better in case or PAC and PACS with sedimentation than with flotation. Thus, Alum with flotation and PAC and PACS with sedimentation is recommended for efficient algal removal. The dominant phytoplankton in raw water were Microcystic and pediastrum simplex and the removal efficiency of algae with sedimentation using alum. PAC and PACS were 27%, 45% and 22% respectively, while those with DAF showed 100% removal of phytoplankton and zooplankton.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.63 no.3
• /
• pp.235-241
• /
• 2007

Background: Airway mucus hypersecretion plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, and is associated with the induction of MUC5AC expression in airway secretion. The MUC5AC gene is highly polymorphic; however, there are few studies about the association between the polymorphisms of the MUC5AC gene and asthma susceptibility or asthma phenotypes. We have investigated the association of MUC5AC promoter polymorphisms with the risk of asthma and asthma phenotypes. Methods: We determined the genotypes of the MUC5AC promoter (-1274G>A) in 78 asthma patients and in 78 age, sex-matched control individuals in the Korean population. Genomic DNAs from blood were analyzed by PCR and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) determination. We examined $FEV_1$, total eosinophil count, serum IgE level, $PC_{20}$ and the presence of atopy (by a skin test) in asthma patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was $47.7{\pm}16.1$ years and 38.5% were men, and the mean $FEV_1$ was $84.4{\pm}22.3%$ of predicted in the asthma patients. The -1274G>A polymorphism of the MUC5AC promoter in asthma patients was not significantly different as compared with normal individuals (GG 57.7%, AG 34.6% and AA 7.7% in asthma patients vs. GG 56.4%, AG 38.5% and AA 5.1% in control subject, p = 0.752, Cod). Several clinical parameters in asthma patients such as $FEV_1$, total eosinophil count, serum IgE level, $PC_{20}$ and the presence of atopy, were not associated with the -1274G>A polymorphism of the MUC5AC promoter. Conclusion: The -1274G>A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequency of the MUC5AC promoter was not associated with asthma in a Korean population.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.177-182
• /
• 2014

Purpose : The goal of this study was to compare and analysis the dose distribution and treatment time between Tomotherapy planning with fixed jaw(FJ) and dynamic jaw(DJ). Materials and Methods : Seven patients were selected in the study including five common clinical cases(brain, head and neck(HN), lung, prostate, spine). 1) Helical Tomotherapy plans with FJ and DJ were generated with the same planning parameters such as Modulation factor, Pitch and Field width. 2) Tomo_edge plans with a larger field width were generated to compare to conventional HT delivery with fixed jaw. Dosimetric evaluation indices for target coverage are Dmin, Conformity index(CI) and for whole body including target are $V_{10%}$, $V_{25%}$, $V_{50%}$, $V_{75%}$ using Dose-volume histogram(DVH). Also, Treatment time and Cumulative MU were used for clinical review on Tomo_edge. Results : In case of using the same field width of Tomotherapy planning with FJ and DJ, the averaged variations were $V_{10%}$: -11.91%, $V_{25%}$: -7.6%, $V_{50%}$ :-4.75%, $V_{75%}$: -1.04%. Tomo_edge with a larger field width provides the averaged variations for target coverage: Dmin: -0.72%, CI: -1.25% and also shows the tendency of a sharp $V_{x%}$ decline in low dose area. The clinical improvements in the larger field width with DJ were observed in the treatment time, ranging from -51.21% to -15.11, and the Cumulative MU decrease, ranging from -57.74% to -15.31%. Conclusion : Target coverage achieved by FJ and DJ with the same field width has little differences. But integral doses on whole body efficiently decreased. Compared to the conventional HT delivery, Tomo_edge with a larger field width presents a little worse target coverage. However, it provides faster treatment delivery and improved cranial-caudal target dose conformity. Therefore, Tomo_edge mode is efficient in improving the treatment time and integral dose while maintaining comparable plan quality in clinic.