• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.70-79
• /
• 2003

Object : Currently, the alteration of cytokine system has been known to play an important role in regard to depressive symptom. We focused on the relationship between immunological parameters and clinical improvement in major depressive disorder. Method : Data were collected on 26 patients with major depressive disorder using a 8-week prospective follow-up design. After 8-week treatment period with fluoxetine, patients were classified into a response group and a non-response group according to their psychopathological outcome as evaluated by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The differences of the immunological parameters between pre-treatment phase and post-treatment phase were compared among patients. The difference of those was also compared within each phase among them. The relationship between socio-demographic variables, depression, cytokine, mononuclear cells was examined by correlation analysis. Multiple regression analyses were performed to explore the predictors of clinical improvement of major depressive disorder. Result : Pre-treatment levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ in the response group were significantly higher than those in the non-response group. Pre-treatment levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ of all patients and in the response group were positively correlated with pre-treatment monocyte counts. Patients with subsequent remission showed significantly lower IL-6 values at baseline than those with non-response. Post-treatment values of IL-6 did not differ significantly among the patients. The correlation test showed more frequent relations among cytokines and mononuclear cells in the response group than in the non-responder group. Especially, serum level of IL-6 in pre-treatment phase was only significantly correlated with HAMD score after 8-week treatement phase, while other cytokines and mononuclear cells were not. Pretreatment level of IL-6 was of paramount importance in predicting clinical improvement of depressive symptom. Conclusion : The immune system of major depressive disorder patients might dichotomize the patients into subsequent responders and non-responders. Immune system might be of great influence on the clinical improvement of major depressive disorder. The mode of interaction between depression and cellular immune function and the mediators responsible for the cytokine production need to be studied further.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.31-40
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Korean type 2 diabetes patients. The subjects were 429 (male: 218, female: 211) type 2 DM patients visited DM clinic, and they were classified into quartiles based on $K_{ITT}$ index (%/min, Insulin Tolerance Test). Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics, and dietary intakes by Food Frequency Questionnaire were assessed. The means of waist circumference, fat mass, percent body fat and abdominal fat thickness were significantly higher in the lowest quartile (the most insulin resistant group) than in the highest quartile (the least insulin resistant group) of $K_{ITT}$ index (%/min)(p<0.05), For hematological values, the lowest quartile showed significantly higher fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide, insulin, triglyceride, ApoB/apoA-1 ratio and C-reactive protein compared to the highest quartile (p < 0.05). Moreover, $K_{ITT}$ index (%/min) was negatively correlated with waist circumference, fat mass, percent body fat, abdominal fat thickness and fasting blood concentrations of glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, ApoB/apoA-1 ratio and C-reactive protein (p < 0.05). Nutrient intakes were not significantly different among the quartile groups of $K_{ITT}$ index (%/min) and also not correlated with insulin resistance, however, they showed correlation with obesity parameters (BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, vat mass, abdominal fat thickness), which were strongly associated with insulin resistance. In conclusion, cardiovascular disease risk would be higher as the insulin resistance grows in Korean type 2 DM patients, and nutrient intakes would affect to the insulin resistance through the effect on anthropometric parameters.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.7
• /
• pp.1357-1364
• /
• 2000

Our study was performed to evaluate the effect of leaching parameters including the physicochemical characteristics and the fractionated composition of heavy metals on the release of heavy metals in fly ash discharged from MSWI. Leaching parameters such as pH, CEC, particle size, and exchangeable fraction among the fractional composition classified by sequential extraction procedure are considered. The leaching rate of heavy metal released by KSLT method is largely dependent on the pH of fly ash. The effect of pH on the release of heavy metals is different from elements. It appears that the leaching rate of cadmium and copper decreases with increasing pH, while lead and zinc increases at the condition of neutral or strong alkali condition, which suggests that the leaching of heavy metals are limited by the solubility. It is found that the effect of CEC is similarly to that of pH, $D_{10}$ among the particle size of fly ash is negative correlated with the concentration of heavy metals leached by KSLT method. In the case of exchangeable fraction, the leaching rate of heavy metals is linearly correlated with the exchangeable fraction for the fly ash below 40 meq/l00g of CEC, but not related out of the range.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 2014

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the correlation between serum cystatin C and clinical manifestations in pediatric patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: We studied 137 patients admitted with UTIs from June 2012 to May 2014. Depending on the presence of renal cortical defects on 99m Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy, we classified patients into non-renal and renal defect groups. Laboratory and clinical parameters were analyzed, including the levels of serum cystatin C. The correlation between cystatin C and other variables was assessed. Results: Serum cystatin C levels did not differ between the non-renal and renal defect groups. In both groups, serum cystatin C levels increased after 4-5 days of treatment, compared with the level at admission (P<0.001). However, mean levels were within normal ranges. The concentration of serum cystatin C positively correlated with serum creatinine and negatively correlated with age (P <0.05). In contrast, there was no correlation between serum cystatin C and other variables. Conclusion: Serum cystatin C does not appear to be a useful biomarker for renal defects in pediatric patients with UTIs. Further studies are necessary to conclude whether serum cystatin C is helpful in predicting deterioration in renal function in pediatric patients with UTIs.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.353-360
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are relationships between radiologic parameters for osteoporosis by the proximal femur radiograhps and bone mineral density, as assessed by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DEXA). Proximal femur anterior-posterior projection were taken from 112 individuals who undergoing DEXA. Radiographic parameters including canal-to-calcar ratio(CCR) and cortical thickness indices(CTI) were measured and compared with bone mineral density($g/cm^2$), T-score. The intramedullary femoral canal width(FW) and calcar width(CW) at osteoporosis group was significantly larger than that of control group. The CCR were correlated negatively with bone mineral density($g/cm^2$)(r=-0.340, p<0.01), and the CTI were correlated positively(r=0.624). The diagnostic accuracy of CCR for osteoporosis was 63.4%, and kappa value was 0.271. And the accuracy of CTI was 67.0%, and kappa value was the level of fair agreement(${\kappa}$=0.258). The proximal femur with large CCR and small CTI had lower T-scores. When evaluating proximal femur anterior-posterior radiographs, those patients with the thinnest femur diaphyseal cortices should be referred for further osteoporosis investigation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.126-136
• /
• 2009

Purpose: We evaluated the correlation of the anatomic parameters of the acromion those represent on the magnetic resonance image (MRI) of impingement syndrome. Materials and Methods: From June, 2004 to December, 2005, 71 cases were surgically proven to be impingement syndrome, and the anterior acromial hooking angle, the lateral acromial hooking angle (AAHA and LAHA) and the acromial hooking index (AHI: the sum of the AAHA and LAHA) were compared to 16 control cases. At the same period, 55 cases were surgically proven to be partial or full thickness rotator cuff tear, and age, gender and twelve anatomic parameters, including the acromial type, the acromial angle, the anterior covering, the acromial slope, the AAHA, the lateral acromial angle, the acromial torsional angle, the lateral acromial angulation, the LAHA, the lateral covering, the acromiohumeral distance and the AHI were assessed. Results: The AAHA and AHI were increased as impingement syndrome proceeded. The acromial type and acromial angle, and the AAHA, LAHA and AHI showed significant differences between the controls and the rotator cuff tear patients on univariant analysis. On multivariant analysis, gender was most strongly correlated with rotator cuff tear. Age, AAHA and the acromial angle showed similar correlation, respectively. Conclusion: The coronal acromial shape is correlated with rotator cuff tear, and it is important to correct the lateral acromial shape when performing acromioplasty.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.633-641
• /
• 2000

This study was conducted to measure the difference in the total antioxidant status(TAS) of overweight and normal weight adults, and to investigate the correlation between TAS and the nutrient intake. Anthropometric parameter, TAS, biochemical parameters and dietary intake were measured in the normal weight group(n=17, BMI 20-25, obesity index 90-110%, body fat 16-20%) and overweight group(n=13, BMI > 25, obesity index > 120%, body fat > 25%) among Korean young males. The TAS of the overweight group was significantly higher than that of the normal weight group(p < 0.01). Among biochemical parameters, the average uric acid concentration of the overweight group was significantly higher(p < 0.05) compared to that of the normal weight group indicating, the uric acid concentration reflects TAS. Usual dietary intake showed that the intakes of Ca and vitamin B$_2$, are below RDA. The average intake of vitamin C in the overweight group was significantly lower than that in the normal group(p < 0.05). There was no difference in the intake of carotene and vitamin E between groups. The diet quality of both groups was satisfactory. The result of the correlation analysis on TAS, the uric acid concentration, and the measured indexs are as follows : In the overweight group, TAS was negatively correlated with alchol drinking, and uric acid concentration was positively correlated with BMI, obesity index, and TAS. In conclusion, TAS was significantly higher in the overweight group than that of the normal group, although no association was found with nutrient intakes. Serum uric acid showed a positive relationship with TAS indicating, it is a possible determinant of the antioxidant capacity.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.449-459
• /
• 2023

The design and development of underground nuclear waste repositories should cover the performance evaluation of the different components such as the construction materials because the long term stability will depend on their response to the surrounding conditions. In South Korea, Gyeonju bentonite has been proposed as a candidate to be used as buffer and backfilling material, especially in the form of blocks to speed up the construction process. In this study, various cylindrical samples were prepared with different dry density and water content, and their physical and mechanical properties were analyzed and correlated with X-ray CT observations. The main objective was to characterize the samples and establish correlations for non-destructive estimation of physical and mechanical properties through the utilization of X-ray CT images. The results showed that the Uniaxial Compression Strength and the P-wave velocity have an increasing relationship with the dry density. Also, a higher water content increased the values of the measure parameters, especially for the P-wave velocity. The X-ray CT analysis indicated a clear relation between the mean CT value and the dry density, Uniaxial Compression Strength, and P-wave velocity. The effect of the higher water content was also captured by the mean CT value. Also, the relationship between the mean CT value and the dry density was used to plot CT dry densities using CT images only. Moreover, the histograms also provided information about the samples heterogeneity through the histograms' full width at half maximum values. Finally, the particle size and heterogeneity were also analyzed using the Madogram function. This function identified small particles in uniform samples and large particles in some samples as a result of poor mixing during preparation. Also, the μ_max value correlated with the heterogeneity, and higher values represented samples with larger ranges of CT values or particle densities. These image-based tools have been shown to be useful on the non-destructive characterization of bentonite samples, and the establishment of correlations to obtain physical and mechanical parameters solely from CT images.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.709-718
• /
• 2019

Objective: To investigate the association of myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantified by dynamic computed tomography (CT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with troponin level and left ventricle (LV) function in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five STEMI patients who successfully had undergone reperfusion treatment within 1 week of their infarction were consecutively enrolled. All patients were referred for dynamic CT-MPI. Serial high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) levels and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by echocardiography were recorded. Twenty-six patients with 427 segments were included for analysis. Various quantitative parameters derived from dynamic CT-MPI were analyzed to determine if there was a correlation between hs-TnT levels and LVEF on admission and again at the 6-month mark. Results: The mean radiation dose for dynamic CT-MPI was 3.2 ± 1.1 mSv. Infarcted territories had significantly lower MBF (30.5 ± 7.4 mL/min/100 mL versus 73.4 ± 8.1 mL/min/100 mL, p < 0.001) and myocardial blood volume (MBV) (2.8 ± 0.9 mL/100 mL versus 4.2 ± 1.1 mL/100 mL, p = 0.044) compared with those of reference territories. MBF showed the best correlation with the level of peak hs-TnT (r = -0.682, p < 0.001), and MBV showed a moderate correlation with the level of peak hs-TnT (r = -0.437, p = 0.026); however, the other parameters did not show any significant correlation with hs-TnT levels. As for the association with LV function, only MBF was significantly correlated with LVEF at the time of admission (r = 0.469, p = 0.016) and at 6 months (r = 0.585, p = 0.001). Conclusion: MBF quantified by dynamic CT-MPI is significantly inversely correlated with the level of peak hs-TnT. In addition, patients with lower MBF tended to have impaired LV function at the time of their admission and at 6 months.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.412-419
• /
• 2012

This study assessed the impacts of land use types on water quality in the tributary of the Yeongsan river basin. Temporal changes in water quality parameters (BOD, COD, TOC, T-P, T-N, SS) were investigated. 13 water sampling sites were selected; they were then collected and analyzed according to the standard method. The results showed that water quality parameters of the study sites ranged as follows : BOD, from 0.3 to $21.9mg\;L^{-1}$ (mean $3.3mg\;L^{-1}$); COD, from 1.0 to $38.0mg\;L^{-1}$ ($6.4mg\;L^{-1}$); TOC, from 0.6 to $20.0mg\;L^{-1}$ ($4.5mg\;L^{-1}$); T-P, from 0.009 to $1.973mg\;L^{-1}$ ($0.144mg\;L^{-1}$); T-N, from 0.6 to $17.1mg\;L^{-1}$ (mean $3.5mg\;L^{-1}$); SS, from 0.3 to $292.0mg\;L^{-1}$ ($20.3mg\;L^{-1}$). Generally, the paddy and upland dominated region had high concentrations of water quality parameters, whereas the forest dominated region had low concentrations. In addition, water quality parameters were positively correlated with paddy and upland, whereas the parameters were negatively correlated with forest. The result implies that paddy and upland are the dominant factors leading to stream pollution in the study sites, while a higher percentage of forest area contributes to improved water quality. Therefore, it is important to manage paddy and upland in order achieve efficient management of water quality.