• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1146-1152
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• 2005

Graft copolymers were synthesized from methylcellulose(MC) and acrylic acid(AA) with active carboxyl groups in the presence of potassium persulfate($K_2S_2O_8$) initiator to enhance adsorption capacity of toxic heavy metal such as $Pb^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ from wastewater. The resulting grafted copolymers(MC-g-AA/PAA) were mixture of the graft copolymers from MC and AA(MC-g-AA) and polyacrylic acid homopolymers(PAA). The degree of palling was increased with rising concentration of monomer and initiator under the reaction conditions at $60^{\circ}C$, 3 hrs. The water insoluble property of MC-g-AA showed more than 19.7% degree of grafting. So that it could be an adsorbent of heavy metals. Adsorption characteristics of the MC-g-AA were evaluated depending on the degree of grading, pH of wastewater, adsorption time, dosage of MC-g-AA and concentration of heavy metals in the different conditions. Degree of grafting, and initial concentration of heavy metal ions increased, the adsorption amount of $Pb^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ increased, but added MC-g-AA increased, the adsorption amount per unit weight of $Pb^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ decreased. The MC-g-AA showed the high $Pb^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ adsorption amount in the range pH $4{\sim}6$. Also all of $Pb^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ ions reached in adsorption equilibrium in neighborhood 4 hours. The adsorption of heavy metals described by Freundlich isotherm, it was determined the value of l/n of $Pb^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ that 0.4294 and 0.3453, respectively.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2009

Since the quality of final products is significantly affected by the homogeneity of powder mixture, the powder blending process has been regarded as one of the critical pharmaceutical unit processes, especially for solid dosage forms. Accordingly, the monitoring to determine a blending process' end-point based on a faster and more accurate in-line/on-line analysis has attracted enormous attentions recently. Among various analytical tools, NIR (near-infrared) spectroscopy has been extensively studied for PAT (process analytical technology) system due to its many advantages. In this study, NIR spectroscopy was employed with an optical fiber probe for the in-line monitoring of fluid-bed blending process. The position of the probe, the ratio of binary powder mixture, the powder size differential and the back-flush period of the shaking bag were examined as principal process parameters. During the blending process of lactose and mannitol powders, NIR spectra were collected, corrected, calibrated and analyzed using MSC and PLS method, respectively. The probe position was optimized. A reasonable end-point was predicted as 1,500 seconds based on 5% RSD value. As a consequence, it was demonstrated that the blending process using a fluid-bed processor has several advantages over other methods, and the application of NIRS with an optical fiber probe as PAT system for a fluid-bed blending process could be high feasible.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.126-135
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• 2016

In the present study, we evaluated the efficiency of the drinking water treatment unit processes controlled by targeting high pharmaceutical compounds that are likely to be released into the water supply. In the coagulation process, the removal rate of sulfonamide, an antibiotic, amounted to 22.6~42.1 %, that of naproxen to 28.2 %, and that of acetaminophen to 20 %. Trimethoprim has demonstrated a low removal rate (4.4 %), while the removal rate of erythromycin was 2.4 %; aspirin was not removed at all. When applying a mixture of chlorination and the coagulation process, the removal rate was increased with increasing the chlorine dosage. When the chlorine injection with the concentration of 3 mg/L was applied, sulfonamide antibiotics, acetaminophen and naproxen, were completely removed. Trimethoprim exhibited a high removal efficiency of ca. 98%, while the removal efficiency of erythromycin was about 55 %; at the same time, aspirin showed a lower removal ratio (ca. 10 %). When applying the powdered activated carbon adsorption process, the removal rate was increased with increase of the concentration of the powder activated carbon injection. Sulfonamide antibiotics showed about 18~50 % removal efficiency in the 1 mg/L, the removal rate was increased by at least 80 % in 25 mg/L. The evaluation results of the titration injection concentration of chlorine treatment and adsorption, coagulation process for the efficient processing of the remaining pharmaceutical compounds in the water treatment process, when applying the chlorine 3 mg/L, powdered activated carbon 10 mg/L and coagulant 15 mg/L were removed more than 90 %.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 2001

Background : The Clostridium difficile is the most important identifiable cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea and colitis, which lengthens hospital stay. Recently incidence of C. difficile has been increasing in an university hospital, and an intervention for prevention and control of C. difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) was in prompt need. Methods : Subjects were the patients in the neurosurgical intensive care unit(NCU) where C. difficile was most frequently isolated. To increase participation of various departments, we used the CQI method, because management of CDAD requires a wholistic approach including control of antibiotics, barrier precaution and environmental cleaning and disinfection. Duration of the CQI activities was 9 months from April to December 1999. Results : The identified problems were misuse and overuse of antibiotics, lack of consciousness of medical personnels and the possibility of transmission from the contaminated environment and tube feeding. Education for proper use of antibiotics and management of C. difficile infection, use of precaution stickers, supplement of handwashing equipments, emphasis on environmental disinfection, and the change of the process of tube feeding were done. The CDAD rate in NCU was significantly decreased after the CQI program (8.6 case per 1,000 patient days from January to April 1999 vs 4.8 from May to December 1999). The distribution of neurosurgical wards including NCU among the total number of isolated C. difficile from the clinical specimens dropped from 49.4% in January to April to 33,7% in May to December. The average hospital stay of the neurosurgical department changed from 19.6 days to 15.2 days. Also, the effect of the CQI activities for C. difficile may have affected the incidence of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE). Duration and dosage of certain antibiotics used in the NS department were decreased. The distribution of neurosurgical department in the number of VRE isolated patients declined from 18.4% to 11.1%. Conclusion : Infection control of resistant organisms such as C. difficile is likely to be successful when management of environmental contamination an collaborative efforts of decreasing the patients' risk factors such as antibiotics management and decreasing the length of hospital stay come simultaneously. For this work, related departments need to actively participate in the entire process under a common target through discussions for identifying problems and bringing up solutions. In this respect, making use of a CQI team is an efficient method of infection control for gathering participation and cooperation of related departments.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2020

Metformin is a recommended first-line therapy drug for type 2 diabetes patients. However, compared to other oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD), metformin has a large unit dosage, with bioavailability of 40-60%. This limiting bioavailability is because metformin is absorbed only in the upper gastrointestinal tract as a BCS class 3 drug. Hence, we propose that applying the Gastroretentive Drug Delivery System (GRDDS) and extending drug release time in the stomach will result in improved bioavailability. We selected the swelling type delivery system, as it is considered the most stable gastroretention technology compared to other GRDDSs. We modified the swelling excipient by using a natural swelling excipient to form a swelling tablet made of carrageenan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Our results indicate that the swelling complex tablet made of carrageenan and HPMC has a good swelling ability and shows required sustained release in a dissolution pattern. In addition, the carrageenan complex has a better swelling ability than the marketed metformin tablet, as determined by the ratio, (swelling ability)/(excipient weight). Taken together, our results indicate that the carrageenan complex can be developed as a good swelling excipient. Further optimizations are required for the commercialization of the carrageenan complex.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.11
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• pp.421-426
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• 2015

Purpose: The vancomycin dosage regimen is regularly modified according to the patient's glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In the present study, we aimed to assess the usefulness of serum cystatin C (Cys-C) concentration, compared with serum creatinine (SCr) concentration, for predicting vancomycin clearance (CLvcm) in neonates. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the laboratory data of 50 term neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and received intravenous vancomycin, and assessed the pharmacokinetic profiles. Creatinine clearance (CLcr) and GFR based on Cys-C (GFRcys-c) were estimated using the Schwartz and Larsson formulas, respectively. Results: The mean CLvcm (${\pm}$standard deviation) was $74.52{\pm}31.17L/hr$, the volume of distribution of vancomycin was $0.67{\pm}0.14L$, and vancomycin half-life was $9.16{\pm}17.42hours$. The SCr was $0.46{\pm}0.25mg/dL$ and serum Cys-C was $1.43{\pm}0.34mg/L$. The peak and trough concentrations of vancomycin were $24.65{\pm}14.84$ and $8.10{\pm}5.35mcg/mL$, respectively. The calculated GFR based on serum creatinine concentration (GFR-Cr) and GFRcys-c were $70.2{\pm}9.45$ and $63.6{\pm}30.18mL/min$, respectively. The correlation constant for CLvcm and the reciprocal of Cys-C (0.479, P=0.001) was significantly higher than that for CLvcm and the reciprocal of SCr (0.286, P=0.044). GFRcys-c was strongly correlated with CLvcm (P=0.001), and the correlation constant was significantly higher than that for CLvcm and CLcr (0.496, P=0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that only GFRcys-c was independently and positively correlated with CLvcm (F=41.9, P<0.001). Conclusion: The use of serum Cys-C as a marker of CLvcm could be beneficial for more reliable predictions of serum vancomycin concentrations, particularly in neonates.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2008

A multilayer tower-type photoreactor, in which $TiO_2$-coated glass-tubes were installed, was used to measure the vapor-phase BTEX removal efficiencies by ozone oxidation ($O_3$/UV), photocatalytic oxidation ($TiO_2$/UV) and the combination of ozone and photocatalytic oxidation ($O_3/TiO_2$/UV) process, respectively. The experiments were conducted under various relative humidities, temperatures, ozone concentrations, gas flow rates and BTEX concentrations. As a result, the BTEX removal efficiency and the oxidation rate by $O_3/TiO_2$/UV system were highest, compared to $O_3$/UV and $TiO_2$/UV system. The $O_3/TiO_2$/UV system accelerated the low oxidation rate of low-concentration organic compounds and removed organic compounds to a large extent in a fixed volume of reactor in a short time. Therefore, $O_3/TiO_2$/UV system as a superimposed oxidation technology was developed to efficiently and economically treat refractory VOCs. Also, this study demonstrated feasibility of a technology to scale up a photoreactor from lab-scale to pilot-scale, which uses (i) a separated light-source chamber and a light distribution system, (ii) catalyst fixing to glass-tube media, and (iii) unit connection in series and/or parallel. The experimental results from $O_3/TiO_2$/UV system showed that (i) the highest BTEX removal efficiencies were obtained under relative humidity ranging from 50 to 55% and temperature ranging from 40 to $50^{\circ}C$, and (ii) the removal efficiencies linearly increased with ozone dosage and decreased with gas flow rate. When applying Langmuir-Hinshelwood model to $TiO_2$/UV and $O_3/TiO_2$/UV system, reaction rate constant for $O_3/TiO_2$/UV system was larger than that for $TiO_2$/UV system, however, it was found that adsorption constant for $O_3/TiO_2$/UV system was smaller than that for $TiO_2$/UV system due to competitive adsorption between organics and ozone.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.140-151
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• 2003

Purpose: We tried to evaluate the long term efficacy and positive predictive factors of interferon-alpha treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: The study population included 113 children who received interferon therapy between May 1982 and July 2002 (20 years) for chronic hepatitis B in Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Male to female ratio was 2.3 : 1 and the mean age at diagnosis was $11.1{\pm}4.1$ years old. Response to treatment was defined as normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), disappearance of HBeAg and HBV-DNA Eighty two children responded while 32 did not. Interferon-alpha was given intramuscularly for 6 months at a dosage of $3{\times}10^6$ unit, 3 times weekly. In relapsed cases, lamivudine or interferon retreatment was done. Results: Seroconversion rate was 77.0% in terms of HBeAg, 74.3% in terms of HBV-DNA, and 80.5% in terms of ALT normalization after treatment. Seroconversion rate of both HBeAg and HBV-DNA was 72.6%. Analyzed by life table method, the effect of the treatment had been maintained over 10 years after cessation of therapy. Pre-treatment ALT level was the only significant positive predictive factor of response. Eleven cases (13.4%) relapsed, and 2 out of 3 showed response when treated with lamivudine and 1 out of 3 with interferon retreatment. Conclusion: Interferon-alpha showed significant efficacy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in our study. Further studies about the effect of interferon therapy on complications of hepatitis such as hepatocarcinoma, cirrhosis are warranted.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.227-245
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• 1998

A most appropriate model of 3-D conformal radiotherapy has been induced by clinical evaluation and animal study, and therapeutic gains were evaluated by numerical equation of tumor control probability(TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). The radiation dose to the tumor and the adjacent normal organs was accurately evaluated and compared using the dose volume histogram(DVH). The TCP and NTCP was derived from the distribution of given dosage and irradiated volume, and these numbers were used as the biological index for the assessment of the treatment effects. Ten patients with liver disease have been evaluated and 3 dogs were sacrificed for this study. Based on the 3-D images of the tumor and adjacent organs, the optimum radiation dose and the projection direction which could maximize the radiation effect while minimizing the effects to the adjacent organs could be decided. 3). The most effective collimation for the normal adjacent organs was made through the beams eye view with the use of multileaf collimator. When the dose was increased from 50Gy to 70Gy, the TCP for the conventional 2-port radiation and the 5-port multidimensional therapy was 0.982 and 0.995 respectively, while the NTCP was 0.725 and 0.142 respectively, suggesting that the 3-D conformal radiotherapy might be the appropriate therapy to apply sufficient radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing the damages to the normal areas of the liver. Positive correlation was observed between the NTCP and the actual complication of the normal liver in the animal study. The present study suggest that the use of 3-D conformal radiotherapy and the application of the mathematical models of TCP and NTCP may provide the improvements in the treatment of hepatoma with enhanced results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.456-465
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• 1998

Cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) in children is associated with the accumulation of body water after cardiac operation, as a consequence of an inflammatory capillary leak. Following work by Elliott in 1991, modified ultrafiltration(MUF) was introduced after bypass as a means of hemoconcentrating patients and a potential way of removing water from the tissues. We have carried out a prospective randomized study of 20 children undergoing open heart surgery, comparing MUF with nonfiltered controls. MUF was carried out for a mean of 18.9 minutes after completion of CPB to a hematocrit of 37.1%(mean). The mean water volulme removed by the ultrafiltration was 38.4 ml/kg and the mean blood volume retransfused from the oxygenator during the ultrafiltration was 32.1 ml/kg. Fluid balance, hemodynamics, hematocrit, osmolarity and dosage of drug treatment were recorded for 4∼12 hours postoperatively. The results were analyzed using Student t-test and ANOVA, comparing controls(n=10) to MUF(n=10). Blood loss(ml/kg/24hr) was 14.5(mean) in MUF versus 13.7 in controls; blood transfused(ml/kg/24hr) 6.6 in MUF versus 15.2 in controls; plasma transfused(ml/kg/24hr) 65.7 in MUF versus 59.6 in controls. There was rise in arterial blood pressure and hematocrit during MUF. Percent rise of systolic blood pressure was 28.8% in MUF versus 18.7% in controls(p=0.366); percent rise of diastolic blood pressure was 28.8% in MUF versus 8.5% in controls(p=0.135); and percent rise of mean blood pressure was 36.2% in MUF versus 8.2% in controls (p=0.086). Percent rise of hematocrit was 40.0% in MUF versus 23.5% in controls(p=0.002). There was no significant difference in the inotropic requirement and the postoperative serum osmolarity between two groups. The number of days on the ventilator, the duration of stay in the intensive care unit, and the postoperative hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups.