• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2017

A sudden cardiac death (SCD) is defined as an unnatural sudden death caused by heart disease. To determine the cause of death, observation of the microscopic change in cardiac muscle tissue is suggested, rather than visual postmortem examination. However, this suggestion is time consuming to be applied in the field, is cost-ineffective, and is inconvenient. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand whether temporary inspection used to examine the cardiac marker (Myoglobin, CK-MB, cTn I) in postmortem blood via rapid cardiac triple test kit (which is used by clinics to diagnose patients with acute myocardial infarction) can effectively be utilized for the paragnosis of sudden, unnatural cardiac death. The results of postmortem examination and temporary investigation found that 23 groups (76.7%), among the 30 experimental groups, were assumed to be non-traumatic sudden cardiac deaths, which indicated a positive response (according to comparison with forensic autopsy); 4 groups, among the 10 control groups, were assumed to be cerebrovascular disease, which indicated a negative response; 1 group was assumed to be alcoholic and drug poisoning, indicating a positive response; and 1 group was assumed to be oxygen deficiency due to suffocation, indicating a positive response. Hence, it was found that the level of sensitivity and specificity of cardiac marker's temporary inspection showed significant result, 76.7% and 80% respectively. Given this, temporary inspection can be effectively used for the paragnosis of sudden cardiac death when the medical history, situation of the site, and postmortem interval are considered together. With the result of precedent research on time of first revelation and extinction in blood, and difference in concentration over time progress according to the characteristic of cardiac marker's (myoglobin, CK-MB, cTn I) individual material, further research on concentration of cardiac marker per each post time needs to be conducted in order to estimate time science death (which is required to identify the cause of death and investigation).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2008

Background: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated and an increase of CRP is more exaggerated in the acute exacerbation form of COPD (AECOPD) than in stable COPD. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a common complication of COPD. An increased level of CRP is known to be associated with the risk of systemic cardio-vascular disorders. However, few findings are available on the potential role of CRP in pulmonary arterial hypertension due to COPD. Methods: This study was performed prospectively and the study population was composed of 72 patients that were hospitalized due to AECOPD. After receiving acute management for AECOPD, serum CRP levels were evaluated, arterial oxygen pressure ($PaO_2$), was measured, and the existence of pulmonary arterial hypertension under room air inhalation was determined in the patients. Results: The number of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension was 47 (65.3%)., There was an increased prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension and an increase of serum CRP levels in patients with the higher stages of COPD (e.g., patients with stage 3 and stage 4 disease; P<0.05). The mean serum CRP levels of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and without pulmonary arterial hypertension were $37.6{\pm}7.4mg/L$ and $19.9{\pm}6.6mg/L$, respectively (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of the mean values of $PaO_2$ between patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and without pulmonary arterial hypertension statistically ($77.8{\pm}3.6mmHg$ versus $87.2{\pm}6.0mmHg). Conclusion: We conclude that higher serum levels of CRP can be a sign for pulmonary arterial hypertension in AECOPD patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 1999

Background: Ischemia reperfusion injury is known to contribute to the major causes of the early graft failure in lung transplantation. Triiodothyronine (T3) has been suggested to ameliorate ischemia reperfusion injury from both in vivo and in vitro experiments of various organs. Prospecting its beneficial effect for pulmonary allograft preservation, we made a new solution by adding T3 into the extracellular type dextran solution. Material and Method: Twelve adult mongrel dogs underwent left lung allotransplantation. Six donor dogs were flushed with the new solution(Group 1, n=6), and the remaining six were flushed with Euro-Collins solution to serve as controls(Group 2, n=6). Allografts were stored in each preservation solution for 20 hours at 4$^{\circ}C$. Left single lung transplantations were performed. The right pulmonary artery and the right main bronchus were clamped at 15 minutes after the reperfusion and maintained throughout the experiment to evaluate the transplanted left lung function. Result: Arterial carbon dioxide tension was better in group 1 than in group 2 throughout the experiment period and the difference was statistically significant at 2 hours after reperfusion(28.0${\pm}$3.0 mmHg and 53.1${\pm}$17.4 mmHg, p<0.05). The differences of arterial oxygen partial pressure, peak airway pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance showed no statistical significance. The malondialdehyde(MDA) level, measured from tissue obtained at 120 minutes after reperfusion showed no statistically significant difference. The tissue wet/dry ratio of group 1(649${\pm}$27 %) was significantly lower than that of group 2(686${\pm}$71 %, p<0.05). The microscopic examination revealed varying degrees of injury represented mainly by findings such as perivascular neutrophil infiltration, capillary hemorrhage and interstitial congestion. These findings were less severe in group 1 than those in group 2. Conclusion: The new solution demonstrated superior allograft preservation after 20 hour ischemia compared to Euro-Collins solution in canine single left lung transplantation model, these results suggest that T3 might be a promising agent for pulmonary allograft preservation.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2000

In Kyeongsang basin, there were very dynamic magmatic activities, resulting to form volcanic and plutonic rocks. A plutonic recycle appeared in this region. Presumption of the pressure for hornblende-bearing granitic rock among the plutonic rocks, can support important informations for the emplacement depth of Cretaceous Bulgugsa granites in Kyeongsang basin. $Al^T$(Al total) contents of hornblende is related to the pressure, oxygen fugacity, and compositions of other minerals having the solid solution. So we apply the $Al^T$ content of hornblende to several empirical and experimental geobarometer systems to presume the pressure and to determine the emplacement depth of Cretaceous Bulgugsa granites in Kyeongsang basin from the inferred pressure. With the result that we applied the $Al^T$ contents of hornblende to the various geobarometers, there was a positive relationship between the pressure and $Al^T$. The minimum pressure value ranges from 0.73 to 1.70kbar in Kyeongju and the maximum value from 2.02 to 3.16kbar in Kimhae. And then the tectonic setting in Kyeongsang basin has no relation to the emplacement depth of Cretaceous granites and means variations with the movement of vertical component in each area. As we suppose that the density of earth's crust is $2.8g/cm^3$, the average values of the emplacement depth ranges in each area range from 2.6 to 11.4km. These data confirm the previous idea about the emplacement depth of Cretaceous granites in Kyeongsang basin, and these geobarometers using the $Al^T$ contents of hornblende is available though they have much limits. Therefore Cretaceous Bulgugsa granites in Kyeongsang basin was the shallow depth intrusive rut and the exposed granites was the shallow depth crust.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2014

Biochar (BC) from biomass pyrolysis is a carbonaceous material that has been used to remove various contaminants in the environment. The eliminatory action for burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.) as an invasive plant is being consistently carried out because of its harmfulness and ecosystem disturbance. In this study, burcucumber biomass was converted into BCs at different pyrolysis temperatures of 300 and $700^{\circ}C$ under a limited oxygen condition. Produced BCs were characterized and investigated to ensure its efficiency on antibiotics' removal in water. The adsorption experiment was performed using two different types of antibiotics, tetracycline (TC) and sulfamethazine (SMZ). For the BC pyrolyzed at a high temperature ($700^{\circ}C$), the values of pH, electrical conductivity, and the contents of ash and carbon increased whereas the yield, mobile matter, molar ratios of H/C and O/C, and functional groups decreased. Results showed that the efficiency of BCs on antibiotics' removal increased as pyrolysis temperature increased from 300 to $700^{\circ}C$ (38 to 99% for TC and 6 to 35% for SMZ). The reaction of ${\pi}-{\pi}$ EDA (electron-donor-acceptor) might be involved in antibiotics' adsorption to BCs. BC has potential to be a superior antibiotics' adsorbent with environmental benefit by recycling of waste/invasive biomass.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.289-299
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• 2011

We studied the characteristics of pollutant concentrations in 9 streams that flow into Shihwa Lake in order to provide the scientific data for effective implementation of total pollution loads management system (TPLMS) of the Lake. Suspended solid (SS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved nutrients ($NO_2$, $NO_3$, $NH_4$, $PO_4$ and $SiO_2$), total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) in stream water from industrial complexes, urban and agricultural regions were determined. Pollutant concentrations in December were higher than that in other sampling periods. COD concentration from industrial complex region with average of 12.6 mg/L was 2 times higher those from urban region (6.6 mg/L) and agricultural region (5.9 mg/L). TP concentration from industrial region also showed higher concentration than other regions. TN concentration in stream water was 5.89 mg/L for industrial region, 3.02 mg/L for urban region and 5.27 mg/L for agricultural region, respectively, suggesting inflow of TN due to fertilizer usage in agricultural field. Relative percentage of nitrogen compounds in TN follows the sequence: $NH_4$ (35.1%) > $NO_2$ (20.0%) > DON (22.8%) > PON (8.9%) > $NO_2$ (3.2%). Concentrations of dissolved nutrients, TP and TN in stream water were 3.2~37.2 times higher than that in Shihwa Lake seawater, therefore large amount of pollutants may be directly entered into Shihwa Lake without any treatment. For Gunja stream of industrial region, pollutants at midstream showed relatively higher concentration compared to upstream and downstream. It is necessary to manage the illegal discharging of sewage and waste water. Our results provide valuable informations on the estimation and reduction of total pollutant loads in the process of establishing adequately strategic and implemental plan of Shihwa Lake TPLMS.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.259-268
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• 2008

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and elastase and components of Castanea crenata leaf were investigated. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of extract / fractions of Castanea crenata left was in the order: 50% ethanol extract ($13.6{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction (6.2) < aglycone fraction (2.1). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$ of extract / fractions from Castanea crenata leaf extract / fractions on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The order of ROS scavenging activity was in the order: aglycone fraction (0.8) < 50% ethanol extract (0.5) < ethyl acetate fraction (0.3). The scavenging activity ($IC_{50}$ for ${O_2}^{{\cdot}\;-}$ (superoxide anion radical) generated by NBT method was in the order: ethyl acetate fraction (145.5) < aglycone fraction (65.5). The protective effects on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most prominent cellular protective effect (${\tau}_{50}$, $191.9{\pm}12.2\;min$ at $10{\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect of aglycone fraction ($9.1{\mu}g/mL$) on elastase was higher than oleanolic and ($13.7{\mu}g/mL$). And the inhibitory effect of aglycone fraction ($21.6{\mu}g/mL$) on tyrosinase was higher than arbutin ($226.2{\mu}g/mL$). But 50% ethanol extract rarely exhibited the inhibitory activity on tryosinase and elastase. Flavonoids were contained in Castanea crenata left (96.3 mg / 100 g dried Castanea crenata leaf). And flavonoids contained in ethyl acetate fraction were kaempferol, quercetin, quercitrin, and so on. Quercitrin is the most abundant component. These results indicate that extract / fractions of Castanea crenata can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging free radical and ROS, Castanea crenata leaf extract/ fractions could be used as new cosmeceutical for whitening and anti-wrinkle products.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2012

Objectives: The percentage of positional sleep apnea in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) varies in different reports from 9% to 60%. If there is a positional dependency in patients with OSA, positional therapy alone could be successful in treating about 50% of all OSA cases. The aim of this report is to compare anthropomorphic and polysomnographic data between the positional sleep apnea group and non-positional sleep apnea group with OSA whose conditions were diagnosed in our sleep clinic. Methods: This is a retrospective study of anthropomorphic and polysomnographic data of patients with OSA who was performed a nocturnal polysomnography. Positional sleep apnea was defined as having a supine apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of twice or more compared to the AHI in the non-supine position. The patients were divided in the positional sleep apnea group and the non-positional sleep apnea group. Results: In 101 patients with OSA, 81 were male, and the mean age was $49.2{\pm}11.9$ years. Seventy-six (75.2%) were diagnosed as the positional sleep apnea. Waist to hip ratio and body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in non-positional sleep apnea group. The frequency of severe OSA was significantly higher in this group. In the positional sleep apnea group, nocturnal sleep quality was better preserved, and consequently these patients were less sleepy during daytime. AHI was significantly lower and minimal arterial oxygen saturation during sleep was significantly higher in this group. Conclusion: The percentage of positional sleep apnea in OSA was 75.2%. AHI, BMI, and waist to hip ratio were lower in the positional sleep apnea group. These patients have less severe breathing abnormalities than the non-positional sleep apnea group in polysomnography.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of MnO₂-diatom microbubbler (DM) on the surface of prosthetic materials as a mouthwash by comparing the biofilm removal effect with those previously used as a mouthwash in dental clinic. Materials and methods: DM was fabricated by doping manganese dioxide nanosheets to the diatom cylinder surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of DM and to analyze the composition of doped MnO₂. Stereomicroscope was used to observe the reaction of DM in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Non-precious metal alloys, zirconia and resin specimens were prepared to evaluate the effect of biofilm removal on the surface of prosthetic materials. And then Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms were formed on the specimens. When 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and DM were treated on the biofilms, the decontamination effect was compared with chlorhexidine gluconate and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution by crystal violet staining. Results: Manganese dioxide was found on the surface of the diatom cylinder, and it was found to produce bubble of oxygen gas when added to 3% hydrogen peroxide. For all materials used in the experiments, biofilms of the DM-treated groups got effectively removed compared to the groups used with chlorhexidine gluconate or 3% hydrogen peroxide alone. Conclusion: MnO₂-diatom microbubbler can remove bacterial membranes on the surface of prosthetic materials more effectively than conventional mouthwashes.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2014

These studies were conducted to identify the effects of non-perforated breathable package film on storability at $1^{\circ}C$, $8^{\circ}C$, and $20^{\circ}C$ storage of 'Fuji' apples. The fresh weight loss rate was less than 2.0% in all non-perforated breathable films at three different storage periods and temperatures, $1^{\circ}C$; 210 days, $8^{\circ}C$; 75 days, and $20^{\circ}C$; 30 days except for the perforated film. 1,300 cc ($1^{\circ}C$), 5,000 cc ($8^{\circ}C$), and 10,000 cc ($20^{\circ}C$) films were closed at the optimum MA storage condition by carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration. Ethylene concentration was lowest at the 40,000 cc film in every temperatures during storage. The 1,300 cc film established higher result in soluble solid and vitamin C content than any other films at $1^{\circ}C$, also showed higher in visual quality by panel test. The 5,000 cc film had the best results on soluble solid and off-flavor in $8^{\circ}C$. In the $20^{\circ}C$ storage after 30 days of treatment the 10,000 cc film had highest firmness and visual quality. Following these results, it come to conclusion the suitable type of non-perforated breathable film such as 1,300 cc at $1^{\circ}C$, 5,000 cc at $8^{\circ}C$, and 10,000 cc at $20^{\circ}C$ for MA storage in 'Fuji' apples.