• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.443-448
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• 2007

Purpose : To evaluate the potential prognostic value of the antithrombin-III (AT-III) level in the children with acute lung injury (ALI), we analyzed several early predictive factors of death including AT-III level at the onset of ALI and compared the relative risk of them for mortality. Methods : Over a 18-month period, a total of 198 children were admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit and 21 mechanically ventilated patients met ALI criteria, as defined by American-European consensus conference, i.e., bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ lower than 300 without left atrial hypertension. Demographic variables, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, underlying diseases, as well as Pediatric Risk of Mortality-III (PRISM-III) scores and Lung Injury Score (LIS) at admission were collected. AT-III levels were measured within 3 hours after admission. These variables were compared between survivors and non-survivors and entered into a multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate their independent prognostic roles. Results : The overall mortality rate was 38.1% (8/21). Non-survivors showed lower age, lower lung compliance, higher PEEP, higher oxygenation index (OI), lower arterial pH, lower $PaO_2/FiO_2$, higher PRISM-III score and LIS, and lower AT-III level. PRISM-III score, LIS, OI and decreased AT-III level (less than 70%) were independently associated with a risk of death and the odds ratio of decreased AT-III level for mortality is 2.75 (95% confidence interval; 1.28-4.12) Conclusion : These results suggest that the decreased level of AT-III is an important prognostic factor in children with ALI and the replacement of AT-III may be considered as an early therapeutic trial.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.334-342
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• 2015

The present study was designed to evaluate how environmental factors in a dry-summer subtropical climate in Terceira-Azores (situated in the North Atlantic Ocean: $38^{\circ}43^{\prime}N27^{\circ}12^{\prime}W$) can affect dairy cow (Holstein) fertility, as well as seasonal influence on in vitro oocytes maturation and embryos development. Impact of heat shock (HS) effects on in vitro oocyte's maturation and further embryo development after in vitro fertilization (IVF) was also evaluated. For such purpose the result of the first artificial insemination (AI) performed 60 to 90 days after calving of 6,300 cows were recorded for one year. In parallel, climatic data was obtained at different elevation points (n = 5) from 0 to 1,000 m and grazing points from 0 to 500 m, in Terceira island, and the temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated. For in vitro experiments, oocytes (n = 706) were collected weekly during all year, for meiotic maturation and IVF. Further, to evaluate HS effect, 891 oocytes were collected in the cold moths (December, January, February and March) and divided in three groups treated to HS for 24 h during in vitro maturation at: C (Control = $38.5^{\circ}C$), HS1 ($39.5^{\circ}C$) and HS2 ($40.5^{\circ}C$). Oocytes from each group were used for meiotic assessment and IVF. Cleavage, morula and blastocyst development were evaluated respectively on day 2, 6, and 9 after IVF. A negative correlation between cow's conception rate (CR) and THI in grazing points (-91.3%; p<0.001) was observed. Mean THI in warmer months (June, July, August and September) was $71.7{\pm}0.7$ and the CR ($40.2{\pm}1.5%$) while in cold months THI was $62.8{\pm}0.2$ and CR was $63.8{\pm}0.4%$. A similar impact was obtained with in vitro results in which nuclear maturation rate (NMR) ranged from 78.4% (${\pm}8.0$) to 44.3% (${\pm}8.1$), while embryos development ranged from 53.8% (${\pm}5.8$) to 36.3% (${\pm}3.3$) in cold and warmer months respectively. In vitro HS results showed a significant decline (p<0.05) on NMR of oocytes for every $1^{\circ}C$ rising temperature ($78.4{\pm}8.0$, $21.7{\pm}3.1$ and $8.9{\pm}2.2$, respectively for C, HS1, and HS2). Similar results were observed in cleavage rate and embryo development, showing a clear correlation (96.9 p<0.05) between NMR and embryo development with respect to temperatures. Results clearly demonstrated that, up to a THI of 70.6, a decrease in the CR occurs in first AI after calving; this impairment was confirmed with in vitro results.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.12-25
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• 2010

This study was carried out to evaluate the bioavailabilities and the digestibilities of oligopeptide chelated (peptide-Ca), anchovy bone (anchovy-Ca) and methionine hydroxyl analogue (MHA-Ca) calcium compared to those of calcium carbonate in rats. In exp1, $CaCO_3$, were added to the basal diet at level of 0, 30 and 60% calcium of the AIN-93G diet. In test groups, peptide-Ca, anchovy-Ca and MHA-Ca, were added to the basal diet to provide calcium at the level of 40% of AIN-93G. In exp1, the bioavailabilities were evaluated from the regression equation of the ratios of theological/ actual calcium intakes of each dietary treatment. In exp2, urine and feces was to evaluate the true- and apparent digestibility and apparent retention. In exp1, Ca-60% group had higher bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone breaking strength (BBS) than those of the other standard groups. The bone weight and ash content of the peptide-Ca and anchovy-Ca groups were significantly higher than those of the MHA-Ca. Bone calcium content were not significantly different from the test group. The bioavailability of the MHA-Ca group was shown higher BMD (71%), BS (38%) and BBS (27%) compared to another control group. But the regression coefficient for BMD, BS and BBS were lower compare with that of bone ash and BMC. In exp2, the true- and apparent digestibility of test groups were shown to over 90%. Peptide-Ca was not significantly different from other test group, but digestibility and retention were higher compare to other test groups. In conclusion, peptide-Ca, anchovy-Ca and MHA-Ca improved Ca bioavailability in the rats. The compounds were higher Ca digestibility compared with those of $CaCO_3$. It is assumed that difference of digestibility for test groups may be correlated to the bioavailability of test groups in BMD, BMC, BS, BBS and bone ash respectively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2000

Background: To evaluate airway responses and inflammation to antigen in Sprague-Dawley rat asthma model, we examined airway responses, serial histologic changes of the lung, and the relationship between airway responses and airway inflammation after antigen airway challenge. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were sensitized with subcutaneous injection of 10 ${\mu}g$ ovalbumin(OA). Antigen airway challenges were done 14~16 days after sensitization and the sensitized rats were sacrificed 1h($A_E$), 6~8h($A_L$) and 1day($A_D$) after airway challenge, to examine the histologic changes of the lung. Airway responses were measured by body plethysmograph and recorded by enhanced pause(Penh) as an index of airway obstruction 6~8h after antigen challenges. Nonsensitized controls(10 rats) were also challenged with antigen and sacrificed 1 day later. Histopathologic examination of two trachea, large bronchi, small bronchi, and vessels was performed to evaluate the severity of inflammation and eosinophilic infiltration with H&E stain. Results: In 17 of 20 rats(85%) in both groups, we observed airway responses. Among them, an early response(ER) in 15 rats(75%), an dual response in 5(25%), and an late response(LR) only in 2 rats(10%) displayed. There were no significant differences in the severity of inflammation among the trachea, large bronchi, small bronchi and vessels in all groups after antigen challenge(p>0.05) and between early and late responders. The significant eosinophil infiltration was observed in 5 rats(50%) of AL(p<0.05) compared with in AE and controls. Also, eosinophil infiltration was observed in higher trend in LR(57.1%) compared to ER(40%)(p>0.05). Conclusion: Sprague-Dawley rats sensitized with subcutaneous injection of OA showed a significant airway responses to antigen challenge. But antigen challenges caused a little eosinophil infiltration and no significant airway inflammation. Asthma model of Sprague-Dawley rats could be useful for antigen-induced airway responses, but this model has a limitation for the study of human asthma because of no significant pathologic change.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2022

Background and Objectives Globus pharyngeus is one of the most common symptoms of patients visiting otorhinolaryngology out-patient clinic, and usually long-lasting, difficult to treat, and frequently recurrent. Mucomyst^®, N-acetyl cysteine is an inhalation agent mainly used for mucolysis and reducing inflammation in airway via antioxidative effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled Mucomyst^® treatment in patients with globus pharyngeus refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Materials and Method We prospectively evaluated the efficacy of Mucomyst^® in relieving symptoms of globus pharyngeus refractory to PPI in nine medical centers. Three hundred and three patients enrolled and finally 229 patients finished the inhaled Mucomyst^® therapy for 8 weeks. We analyzed the change of Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Score (RFS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for globus, and Globus Pharyngeus Symptom Scale (GPS) after use of Mucomyst^® for 4 and 8 weeks. Results The GPS, RSI, RFS, and VAS score significantly decreased serially in patients who finished 8 week-inhalation treatment. The GPS improvement gap was significantly correlated with initial GPS (p<0.001) in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion Inhaled Mucomyst^® therapy was effective for the reduction of both subjective and objective findings in refractory globus patients. This study might suggest new treatment option for patients with globus. However, further thorough studies would be needed to assess the real effect of inhaled Mucomyst^® treatment as a standard treatment for globus.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.240-249
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• 2022

Measuring chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) is a useful tool for assessing a plant's ability to tolerate abiotic stresses such as drought, waterlogging and high temperature. Korean ginseng is highly sensitive to water stress in paddy fields. To evaluate the possibility of non-destructively diagnosing waterlogging stress using chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) imaging techniques, we screened 57 ginseng accessions for waterlogging tolerance. To evaluate waterlogging tolerance among the 2-year-old Korean ginseng accessions, we treated ginseng plants with water stress for 25 days. The physiological disorder rate was characterized through visual assessment (an assigned score of 0-5). The physiological disorder rates of Geumjin, Geumsun and GS00-58 were lower than that of other accessions. In contrast, lines GS97-62, GS97-69 and GS98-1-5 were deemed susceptible. Root traits, chlorophyll content and the reduction rates decreased in most ginseng accessions. Further, these metrics were significantly lower in susceptible genotypes compared to resistant ones. All CF parameters showed a positive or negative response to waterlogging stress, and this response continuously increased over the treatment time among the genotypes. The CF parameter Fv/Fm was used to screen the 57 accessions, and the results showed clear differences in Fv/Fm between the susceptible and resistant genotypes. Susceptible genotypes had an especially low Fv/Fm value of less than 0.8, reflecting damage to the reaction center of photosystem II. It is concluded that Fv/Fm can be used as a CF parameter index for screening waterlogging stress tolerance in ginseng genotypes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.97-111
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• 2023

Purpose: Childhood obesity has become a social problem due to the social distancing necessitated by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the dietary problems of obese children through various dietary assessment methods and to confirm the usefulness of each method. Methods: The subjects were 88 students in the 4th to 6th grade of elementary school who participated in the nutrition camp organised by the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, 2020. To evaluate dietary problems and assess diet quality, 24-hour meal records, monthly food intake frequency, and Dietary Screening Test (DST) data were analyzed. Results: Of the subjects, 15.7%, 30.3%, and 53.9% were normal weight, overweight, and obese, respectively. The average age was 11.77 ± 0.77 years and the average body mass index was 23.96 ± 3.01 kg/m². It was observed from the 24-hour meal record method that the overweight and obese subject groups consumed fewer green vegetables (p < 0.001) and white vegetables (p < 0.01) than the normal weight group. In the monthly food intake frequency method, the consumption of ramen (p < 0.01), snacks (p < 0.05), and sausages (p < 0.05) were high in the obese group, and that of anchovies, broccoli, and sweet pumpkin was high in the normal group (p < 0.05). The comparative data from the DST revealed that the overweight and obese groups had less vegetable intake than the normal weight group (p < 0.01) and had higher intakes of dairy products, fast food, and sweet snacks (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The usefulness of each method in the dietary evaluation of obese children was confirmed. To address the problem of obesity, it is necessary to evaluate the dietary problem and approach it with a customized solution tailor-made for the individual subject.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-178
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• 2016

Purpose : In order to minimize the dose of femoral head as an appropriate treatment plan for rectal cancer radiation therapy, we compare and evaluate the usefulness of 3-field 3D conformal radiation therapy(below 3fCRT), which is a universal treatment method, and 5-field 3D conformal radiation therapy(below 5fCRT), and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). Materials and Methods : The 10 cases of rectal cancer that treated with 21EX were enrolled. Those cases were planned by Eclipse(Ver. 10.0.42, Varian, USA), PRO3(Progressive Resolution Optimizer 10.0.28) and AAA(Anisotropic Analytic Algorithm Ver. 10.0.28). 3fCRT and 5fCRT plan has $0^{\circ}$, $270^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ and $0^{\circ}$, $95^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $315^{\circ}$, $265^{\circ}$ gantry angle, respectively. VMAT plan parameters consisted of 15MV coplanar $360^{\circ}$ 1 arac. Treatment prescription was employed delivering 54Gy to recum in 30 fractions. To minimize the dose difference that shows up randomly on optimizing, VMAT plans were optimized and calculated twice, and normalized to the target V100%=95%. The indexes of evaluation are D of Both femoral head and aceta fossa, total MU, H.I.(Homogeneity index) and C.I.(Conformity index) of the PTV. All VMAT plans were verified by gamma test with portal dosimetry using EPID. Results : D of Rt. femoral head was 53.08 Gy, 50.27 Gy, and 30.92 Gy, respectively, in the order of 3fCRT, 5fCRT, and VMAT treatment plan. Likewise, Lt. Femoral head showed average 53.68 Gy, 51.01 Gy and 29.23 Gy in the same order. D of Rt. aceta fossa was 54.86 Gy, 52.40 Gy, 30.37 Gy, respectively, in the order of 3fCRT, 5fCRT, and VMAT treatment plan. Likewise, Lt. Femoral head showed average 53.68 Gy, 51.01 Gy and 29.23 Gy in the same order. The maximum dose of both femoral head and aceta fossa was higher in the order of 3fCRT, 5fCRT, and VMAT treatment plan. C.I. showed the lowest VMAT treatment plan with an average of 1.64, 1.48, and 0.99 in the order of 3fCRT, 5fCRT, and VMAT treatment plan. There was no significant difference on H.I. of the PTV among three plans. Total MU showed that the VMAT treatment plan used 124.4MU and 299MU more than the 3fCRT and 5fCRT treatment plan, respectively. IMRT verification gamma test results for the VMAT plan passed over 90.0% at 2mm/2%. Conclusion : In rectal cancer treatment, the VMAT plan was shown to be advantageous in most of the evaluation indexes compared to the 3D plan, and the dose of the femoral head was greatly reduced. However, because of practical limitations there may be a case where it is difficult to select a VMAT treatment plan. 5fCRT has the advantage of reducing the dose of the femoral head as compared to the existing 3fCRT, without regard to additional problems. Therefore, not only would it extend survival time but the quality of life in general, if hospitals improved radiation therapy efficiency by selecting the treatment plan in accordance with the hospital's situation.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficiency of Coaxial MLC VMAT plan (Using $273^{\circ}$ and $350^{\circ}$ collimator angle) That the leaf motion direction aligned with axis of OAR (Organ at risk, It means spinal cord or cauda equine in this study.) compare to Universal MLC VMAT plan (using $30^{\circ}$ and $330^{\circ}$ collimator angle) for spine SBRT. Materials and Methods : The 10 cases of spine SBRT that treated with VMAT planned by Coaxial MLC and Varian TBX were enrolled. Those cases were planned by Eclipse (Ver. 10.0.42, Varian, USA), PRO3 (Progressive Resolution Optimizer 10.0.28) and AAA (Anisotropic Analytic Algorithm Ver. 10.0.28) with coplanar $360^{\circ}$ arcs and 10MV FFF (Flattening filter free). Each arc has $273^{\circ}$ and $350^{\circ}$ collimator angle, respectively. The Universal MLC VMAT plans are based on existing treatment plans. Those plans have the same parameters of existing treatment plans but collimator angle. To minimize the dose difference that shows up randomly on optimizing, all plans were optimized and calculated twice respectively. The calculation grid is 0.2 cm and all plans were normalized to the target V100%=90%. The indexes of evaluation are V10Gy, D0.03cc, Dmean of OAR (Organ at risk, It means spinal cord or cauda equine in this study.), H.I (Homogeneity index) of the target and total MU. All Coaxial VMAT plans were verified by gamma test with Mapcheck2 (Sun Nuclear Co., USA), Mapphan (Sun Nuclear Co., USA) and SNC patient (Sun Nuclear Co., USA Ver 6.1.2.18513). Results : The difference between the coaxial and the universal VMAT plans are follow. The coaxial VMAT plan is better in the V10Gy of OAR, Up to 4.1%, at least 0.4%, the average difference was 1.9% and In the D0.03cc of OAR, Up to 83.6 cGy, at least 2.2 cGy, the average difference was 33.3 cGy. In Dmean, Up to 34.8 cGy, at least -13.0 cGy, the average difference was 9.6 cGy that say the coaxial VMAT plans are better except few cases. H.I difference Up to 0.04, at least 0.01, the average difference was 0.02 and the difference of average total MU is 74.1 MU. The coaxial MLC VMAT plan is average 74.1 MU lesser then another. All IMRT verification gamma test results for the coaxial MLC VMAT plan passed over 90.0% at 1mm / 2%. Conclusion : Coaxial MLC VMAT treatment plan appeared to be favorable in most cases than the Universal MLC VMAT treatment planning. It is efficient in lowering the dose of the OAR V10Gy especially. As a result, the Coaxial MLC VMAT plan could be better than the Universal MLC VMAT plan in same MU.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-21
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• 1998

An analysis of 101 stroke patients who were enrolled in 10 hospitals of Cities of Pusan, Taegu, and Andong from November 1, 1996 to April 31. 3997 was conducted using the modified Barthel Index(BI) and the adapted PULSES profile index(PS) to evaluate their function. Patients were examined at the following intervals: Initial assessment, one month after initial. at discharge, and one month after discharge. The mean BI score of patients initial assessment was 27.18, and that of PS was 17.54. There were statistically significant between initial score and one month after initial (21.39: p<0.001), at discharge(37.47: p<0.001), one month after discharge(46.49: p<0.001). PS scores were also improved .significantly(-2.62, -4.52. and -6.26(p<0.001). And the score between dischange and one month after discharge was significant (9.01: p<0.001) and in PS score(-1.73: p<0.001). Age and BE score were significantly associated with the improved in BI score between initial and discharge(T3-T1)(p<0.05). Below age forty the Bower initial BI score showed significantly higher improvement(T3-T1) after physical therapy(p<0.05). Initial Bl score, patients' attitude for physical therapy after discharge, age, and surgical operation were significantly associated with the improvement of BI score between initial and one month after discharge(T4-T1)(p<0.05). The lower initial BI score, patients' positive attitude for physical therapy after discharge, below age forty. and no surgical operation showed significantly higher improvement(p<0.05). BI score at discharge, side of hemiparesis and religion were significantly associated with the improvement of BI score between at discharge and one month after discharge(T4-T3) (p<0.05). The lower BI score at discharge. left aide of hemiparesis, with religion showed significantly higher improvement (p<0.05). Age, initial PS score were significantly associated with the improved in PS score between initial and discharge(T3-T1)(p<0.05). The higher initial PS score and below age forty showed significantly higher improvement(T3-T1)(p<0.05). Initial PS score, patient' attitude for physical therapy after discharge, age, educational level, physical therapy hour after discharge, and surgical operation were significantly associated with the improvement of PS score between initial and one month after discharge(T4-T1)(p<0.05). The higher initial PS score, patients' positive attitude for physical therapy after discharge, below age forty, higher education, the shorter physical therapy hour, and no surgical operation showed significantly higher improvement(T4-T1)(p<0.05). PS score at discharge, educational level, patient' attitude far physical therapy after discharge, physical therapy hour after discharge, and gender were significantly associated with the improvement of PS score between discharge and une month after discharge(T4-T3) (p<0.05), The higher PS non at discharge, higher education, patients' positive attitude for Physical therapy after discharge, the shorter physical therapy hour, and male showed significantly higher improvement (T4-T3)(p<0.05). In conclusion, initial BI score and age were significantly associated with BI score improvement and initial PS score, age, and educational level were also significantly associated with PS score improvement in stoke patients.