• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.8 s.265
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• pp.611-618
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• 2006

Background: There have been controversies whether mitral valvular surgery is necessary in the patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long term clinical results of patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. Material and Method: Between January 1992 and February 2005, 44 patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Concomitant mitral valvular procedure was performed in 20 patients (group 1) and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 24 patients (group 2). There were no significant difference between groups except cardiopulmonary bypass time (p<0.01). Postoperative follow up duration was $30.1{\pm}29.6$ months and last follow up echocardiographic examination was performed at $21.2{\pm}28.0$ months. Result: There was no difference in operative mortality between groups (group 1 vs group 2, 15.0% vs 8.3%, p=0.493). Grade of mitral regurgitation ${(0.81{\pm}0.91\;vs\;1.50{\pm}0.05,\;p=0.046)}$ and reduction in regurgitation grade ${(1.75{\pm}0.93\;vs\;0.70{\pm}1.26,\;p=0.009)}$ were different between two groups. But there were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction ${(34.1{\pm}11.4%\;vs\;41.6{\pm}12.9%)}$, left ventricular end systolic volume ${(118.2{\pm}63.9\;ml%\;vs\;85.6{\pm}281\;ml)}$, New York Heart Association functional class ${(2.1{\pm}0.2\;vs\;2.4{\pm}1.2)}$ and 5 year survival rate ${(85{\pm}8%\;vs\;82{\pm}8%)}$. There was no risk factor for operative mortality and the only risk factor for late death was preoperative atrial fibrillation (p=0.042). There was no significant correlation between mitral valvular surgery and late death. Conclusion: Concomitant mitral valvular procedure in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting had no significant positive effect on survival and ventricular function compared with isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Prospective randomized study may be needed to evaluate the necessity of concomitant mitral procedure and to find more effective method for the improvement of ventricular function.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.187-196
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate changes in biochemical composition of rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, enriched with the commercial enrichments (Enhance, Advantage, Algamac-2000, DHA-Selco and Advantage ＋ Chlorella) at various durations of enrichment (0, 6, 12 and 24 hr) to improve the growth and survival of marine fish larvae. Total lipid content of rotifers enriched with various enrichments tended to increase with an increase in durations of enrichment up to 6 hr, but after that, was not significantly affected by enrichment materials. However, total protein content of rotifers enriched groups except for Advantage＋Chlorella decreased with the increase in duration of enrichment. The highest protein/lipid ratio showed 2.7 in rotifer enriched with the Advantage ＋Chlorella. The phospholipid/lipid ratio of rotifer enriched with the Enhance, Advantage and Advantage＋Chlorella groups was significantly higher than that of enriched rotifer with the Algamac-2000 and DHA-Selco groups. The highest DHA level, 2.5%, of rotifer enriched for 24 hr was obtained in the Advantage, but was not significantly different among other groups, except for Algamac-2000. No significant difference in DHA level of rotifer enriched with the DHA-Selco, Algamac-2000 and Advantage＋Chlorella groups was observed between l2h and 24hr of enrichment. The DHA/EPA ratio in the enriched rotifers varied among enrichment material groups, ranged from a high level of 11.1：1 in the Advantage＋Chlorella group to a low level of 4.1：1 in DHA-Selco group. The results from this study indicate that rotifers enriched with Enhance, Advantage and Advantage＋Chlorella seemed to be effective to improve nutritional value of rotifer for marine fish larvae because phospholipid, DHAJEPA and protein/lipid ratios of rotifer enriched with Enhance, Advantage＋Chlorella were higher than those of rotifer enriched with either DHA-Selco or Algamac-2000. Especially, supplementation of the Chlorella to these enrichments would appear to be effective for improvement of fish larval performance because of no reduction of protein level in rotifer, which is critical for growth of fish larvae.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.419-425
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• 2006

Background : Severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can develop into respiratory failure that requires mechanical ventilation (MV), which is associated with a higher rate of mortality. It was recently reported that a hydrocortisone infusion in severe CAP patients was associated with a significant reduction in the length of the hospital stay and mortality. This study evaluated efficacy of a hydrocortisone infusion for patients with severe CAP requiring MV. Methods : From February 2005 to July 2005, 13 patients (M : F = 10 : 3, mean age: $68.6{\pm}14.1years$), who were diagnosed with severe CAP and required MV, were enrolled in this study. Hydrocortisone was administered as an intravenous 200mg loading bolus, which was followed by an infusion at a rate of 10mg/hour for 7 days. The control group was comprised of patients with severe CAP requiring MV but in whom corticosteroid was not used before study period. The clinical and physiologic parameters on or by day 8 and the outcome in the hydrocortisone infusion group were compared with those in the control group. Results : 1) There was no significant difference in age, gender ratio, SAPS II, SOFA score, temperature, leukocyte count, PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio, the number of patients with P/F ratio < 200, chest radiograph score, lung injury score and catecholamine-dependent septic shock between the hydrocortisone infusion group and control group at day 1. 2) At day 8, the proportion of patients with an improvement in the P/F ratio ${\geq}100$ and the chest radiograph score was significantly higher in the hydrocortisone infusion group than in the control group (61.5% vs. 15.4%, 76.9% vs. 23.1%, p< 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the other clinical and physiologic parameters. 3). There was no significant difference in the duration of the MV, ICU stay, hospital stay and 10th and 30th day mortality between the two groups. Conclusion : Hydrocortisone infusion for patients with severe CAP requiring invasive mechanical ventilation may be effective in improving the level of oxygenation and the chest radiograph score.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 2008

Purpose : We wanted to determine the characteristics of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) who were unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Methods : The patients with KD were divided into two groups: the IVIG responsive group (25 cases) and the IVIG unresponsive group (14 cases). We analyzed various parameters before and after the administration of IVIG, including the complete blood cell count with the differential count (%), the erythrocyte segmentation rate (ESR), the C-reactive protein (CRP) level and the protein and lipid profiles. Results : The IVIG unresponsive group had a prolonged duration of fever and a higher incidence of CAL compared to the IVIG responsive group (P<0.001, respectively). Before IVIG infusion, the neutrophil differential, the ESR and the CRP values were higher (P<0.001), and the total protein and albumin values were lower in the IVIG unresponsive group (P=0.01) compared to the IVIG responsive group. After IVIG infusion, there were no significant changes in the WBC count and CRP levels in the IVIG unresponsive group. The reduction of the HDL-cholesterol levels by IVIG was more significant in the unresponsive group (P=0.02). Conclusion : A more severe and prolonged inflammatory response occurred in the IVIG unresponsive group at an early stage, and this finding can be detected by such inflammatory parameters as the neutrophil count and the CRP and HDL-cholesterol levels after IVIG infusion.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.293-298
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• 2014

This study conducted experiments on the reclaimed land of Saemangeum located in Jeongrabuk-do in order to gain basic information about growth characteristics and yield ability according to soil salinity. Having soil excluding salt as a control group, this study adjusted the specimens' soil salinity to level 4 and then planted four varieties including Ilmichal Corn to investigate the growth or grain yield according to salinity. About the corn establishment rate according to soil salinity, over 97% up to $3.2dS\;m^{-1}$ was established, and then, it was reduced gradually according to the increase of concentration. According to the salt concentration of soil more required growth duration from seeding to heading comparing to non-treatment salt was delayed, at $1.6dS\;m^{-1}$, two days were delayed, at $3.2dS\;m^{-1}$, four to six days were delayed differently by varieties, and at $4.8dS\;m^{-1}$, six to 10 days were delayed. About the plant fresh weight according to soil salinity, Chalok 4 and Eolrukchal indicated 93%~97% or so compared with the salt-free one at $1.6dS\;m^{-1}$, and Chalok No. 4 showed 79% at the salinity of $3.2dS\;m^{-1}$, too, and it was a relatively higher growth percentage than those of the other varieties. In terms of dried seed weight according to soil salinity, compared with the corns cultivated in the control group, averagely 12.1% was lowered at the time of cultivation at $1.6dS\;m^{-1}$, and $3.2dS\;m^{-1}$ 40% was lowered, and about 70% was lowered at $4.8dS\;m^{-1}$. According to the result of examining the point of time that dried seed start to reduce due to soil salinity with the regression equation, soil salinity which starts the reduction of grain weight is $1.67dS\;m^{-1}{\sim}2.18dS\;m^{-1}$, and it differs by varieties, and EC of 50% that the yield reduces in half is $2.96dS\;m^{-1}{\sim}4.45dS\;m^{-1}$. And the degree of influence on each of the growth factors according to soil salinity is founded to be in the order of establishment rate

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in children with IgA nephropathy and Henoch- Sch$\ddot{o}$nlein Purpura (HSP) nephritis combined with proteinuria. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 21 patients who were diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis based on percutaneous renal biopsy. Of the 21 patients, 15 were diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and 6 were diagnosed with HSP nephritis. They had mild to severe proteinuria at the time of diagnosis or during follow-up. Group 1 (n=7) received methylprednisolone pulse therapy three times every couple of months, and Group 2 (n=14) received oral steroid therapy. The follow-up periods for Group 1 and 2 were 14.0 (9-54) months and 26.5 (14-34) months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the follow-up duration between the two groups. Results: The average age at diagnosis and biopsy was lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2, but it was not significantly different. At admission, all patients in both groups had hematuria and 5 patients (71.4%) of Group 1 and 14 patients (100 %) of Group 2 had proteinuria. Before treatment, there was no significant difference of spot urine protein/creatinine ratio between the two groups. During followup, 7 patients of Group 1 (100%) and 10 patients of Group 2 (71.4%) showed complete improvement of proteinuria and the spot urine protein/creatinine ratio in Group 1 was significantly lower than Group 2. Conclusion: In patients with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis with proteinuria, methylprednisolone pulse therapy was more effective than oral steroid therapy in the reduction of proteinuria. To investigate the effects on long-term prognosis, large-scale prospective studies are needed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.74-87
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• 2016

Potato phenology, growth, and yield are projected to be highly affected by global warming in the future. The objective of this study was to examine the responses of potato growth and yield to environmental elements like temperature, solar radiation, and daylength. Planting date experiments under open field condition were conducted using three cultivars differing in maturity group (Irish Cobbler and Superior as early; Atlantic as mid-late maturing) at eight different planting dates. In addition, elevated temperature experiment was conducted in four plastic houses controlled to target temperatures of ambient temperature (AT), $AT+1.5^{\circ}C$, $AT+3^{\circ}C$, and $AT+5^{\circ}C$ using cv. Superior. Tuber initiation onset was found to be hastened curve-linearly with increasing temperature, showing optimum temperature around $22-24^{\circ}C$, while delayed by longer photoperiod and lower solar radiation in Superior and Atlantic. In the planting date experiments where the average temperature is near optimal and solar radiation, rainfall, pest, and disease are not limiting factor for tuber yield, the most important determinant was growth duration, which is limited by the beginning of rainy season in summer and frost in the late fall. Yield tended to increase along with delayed tuber initiation. Within the optimum temperature range ($17^{\circ}-22^{\circ}C$), larger diurnal range of temperature increased the tuber yield. In an elevated temperature treatment of $AT+5.0^{\circ}C$, plants failed to form tubers as affected by high temperature, low irradiance, and long daylength. Tuber number at early growth stage was reduced by higher temperature, resulting in the decrease of assimilates allocated to tuber and the reduction of average tuber weight. Stem growth was enhanced by elevated temperature at the expense of tuber growth. Consequently, tuber yield decreased with elevated temperature above ambient and drop to almost nil at $AT+5.0^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.194-198
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• 2009

Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Purpose: Malignant bowel obstruction causes gastrointestinal symptoms and leads to diminished quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Several studies have shown the efficacy of octreotide for the relief of malignant bowel obstruction-related symptoms. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of octreotide in patients with malignant bowel obstruction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of twenty nine patients who had suffered from malignant bowel obstruction without clinical improvement of conservative care and subsequently, received octreotide treatment. Initial dosage of octreotide was 0.1 mg/day, and dose was escalated depending on the clinical effect. For each patient, we assessed visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain, number of vomiting episode, and amount of nasogastric tube drainage. Results: Median dosage of octreotide was 0.2 mg/day (range 0.1~0.6), and median duration from initial medication to death was 20 days (range 2~103). VAS before and after octreotide treatment were 5.6$\pm$1.24, and 2.7$\pm$0.96, respectively. The numbers of vomiting episode before and after octreotide treatment were 3.6/day$\pm$2.5, and 0.4/day$\pm$0.8, respectively. The mean amounts of nasogastric tube drainage before and after octreotide treatment were 975$\pm$1,083 cc/day and 115$\pm$196 cc/day, respectively. Statistically significant reduction in VAS, the number of vomiting episode and the amount of nasogastric tube drainage were observed after octreotide treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Administration of octreotide in patients with malignant bowel obstruction, which is uncontrolled by other medication, was effective and safe. In such clinical situations, physicians should consider to add of octreotide for symptomatic control.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.244-251
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• 2018

The present study aimed to identify the influence of climate change on mating songs of Cicadidae in a phenological perspective. The research sites were located in the central part of the Korean peninsula in which phenological observations by the Meteorological Office are made. The material provided by the Meteorological Office was used for long term phenological analysis. The findings demonstrated, First, the phenological monitoring of cicada is an effective index to detect ecological changes due to climate change, thus indicating the importance of long term phenological investigations for future studies. Second, the analysis on the phenological changes of H. fuscata presented a trend in which the first songs were made at increasingly earlier and later dates, respectively. The phenological data on H. fuscata and average temperatures exhibited a significant negative correlation between the initial mating song period and the average temperatures of June. Furthermore, there was also a significant negative correlation for precipitation in October with the end time and total duration of H. fuscata song. Third, in the regression analysis of the start of H. fuscata song and meteorological factors in Seoul, increasing average air temperature in spring (March to June), which includes June, was associated with an earlier start time of H. fuscata song, with calling starting approximately 3.0-4.5 days earlier per $1^{\circ}C$ increase. Fourth, in the regression analysis of the end of H. fuscata song and meteorological factors in Seoul, increased mean precipitation in October was associated with an early end time and an overall reduction in the length of the song period. The end time of song decreased by approximately 0.78 days per 1mm increase in precipitation, and the total length of the song period decreased by 0.8 days/1mm. This research is important, as it is the initial research to identify the phenological changes in H. fuscata due to climate change.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.168-173
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• 1986

The effects of varying concentrations and duration of fluazifop-butyl [(${\pm}$)-butyl [2- [4- [(5-(trifluoro methyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy] phenoxy] propanate] treatment on cell division, cell enlargement, and protein synthesis were studied. Oat (Avena staiva L.) were treated from 0 to 48 hr with concentration ranging from $1{\times}10^{-6}M$ to $1{\times}10^{-3}M$ of fluazifop-butyl in the cell division study. There was a significant reduction in the mitotic indices of oat roots treated with $1{\times}10^{-4}M$ after 6 hr. After 18 hr treatment, All herbicide treatment inhibited cell division significantly. After 24 hr treatment almost 100% inhibition of cell division occurred at $1{\times}10^{-4}M$ to $1{\times}10^{-3}M$ while 20% inhibition of cell division occurred at $1{\times}10^{-6}M$ concentration at same exposure period. The greatest inhibition of cell division occurred between 0 to 18 hr. The avena coleoptile straight- growth test were used to determine the influence of fluazifop-butyl on eoleoptile growth. Significant inhibition of elongation of oat coleoptiles were observed at $1{\times}10^{-7}M$ to $1{\times}10^{-3}M$ after 24 hr incubation. Protein incorporation study showed that the $1{\times}10^{-4}M$ of fluazifop-butyl caused 60% inhibition of protein synthesis. It was concluded that the growth of inhibition of plants caused by fluazifop-butyl results from inhibition of cell division, cell enlargement, and protein synthesis.