• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1999

To evaluate the usefulness of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1 (TGF-$\beta$1) as a new tumor marker, we determined the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels using sandwich ELISA assay in cancer patients. Patients with three most common adult cancers in Korea (stomach, liver and breast cancer) and children's cancers (leukemia and two kinds of solid tumor) were enrolled for the study. Furthermore, 39 individuals were subjected to age and sex-stratified plasma TGF-$\beta$1 analysis. No statistical difference was demonstrated with respect to age or sex. The mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 level (16.0 ng/ ml) of stomach cancer patients was significantly higher than that (8.3 ng/ml) of controls. However, there was no difference among the mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of liver, breast cancer patients and controls. Seven of 16 patients (43.7%) with stomach cancer, one of 8 (12.5%) with liver cancer, and one of 7 (14.3%) with breast cancer showed higher TGF-$\beta$1 levels compared to controls. Plasma TGF-$\beta$1 concentrations of five leukemic children remained in the normal range regardless of the remission state. In contrast, initial high TGF-$\beta$1 levels from two children with solid tumors returned to normal range on surgical resection of tumors. From the above results, we could conclude that plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of apparently healthy individuals seem to be rather constant irrespective of difference in age or sex, and the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 has the limited value as a screening test for the diagnosis of aforementioned adult cancers because of its low sensitivity. Finally, additional studies need to be pursed for the large number of stomach cancer and pediatric solid tumor patients in order to reach a secure conclusion on the usefulness of plasma TGF-$\beta$1 as a tumor marker in these patients.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.239-246
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• 2017

There are various transversal structures (small dams or drop structures) in median and small streams in Korea. Most of them are concrete structures and it is so hard to exclude low-level water. Unless drainage valves and/or gates would not be installed near bottom of bed, sediment from upstream should be deposited and also contaminants attached to the sediments would devastatingly threaten the water quality and ecosystem. One of countermeasures for such problem is the bypass pipe installed underneath the transversal structure. However, there is still issued whether it would be workable if the gravels and/or stones would roll into and be not excluded. Therefore, in this study, the conditions to exclude the rip stone which enter into the bypass pipe was reviewed. Based on sediment transport phenomenon, the behavior of stones was investigated with the concepts from the critical shear stress of sediment and d'Alembert principle. As final results, the basis condition (${\tau}_c{^*}$) was derived using the Lagrangian description since the stones are in the moving state, not in the stationary state. From hydraulic experiments the relative velocity could be obtained. In order to minimize the scale effect, the extra wide channel of 5.0 m wide and 1.0 m high was constructed and the experimental stones were fully spherical ones. Experimental results showed that the ratio of flow velocity to spherical particle velocity was measured between 0.5 and 0.7, and this result was substituted into the suggested equation to identify the critical condition wether the stones were excluded. Regimes about the exclusion of stone in bypass pipe were divided into three types according to particle Reynolds number ($Re_p$) and dimensionless critical shear force (${\tau}_c{^*}$) - exclusion section, probabilistic exclusion section, no exclusion section. Results from this study would be useful and essential information for bypass pipe design in transveral structures.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.761-778
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• 2017

The need of the underground space for the infrastructures in urban area is increasing, and especially the demand for shallow tunnels increased drastically. It is very important that the shallow tunnel in the urban area should fulfill not only its own safety conditions but also the safety condition for the adjacent structures and the surrounding sub-structure. Most of the studies on the behavior of shallow tunnels concentrated only on their behaviors due to the local deformation of the tunnel, such as tunnel crown or tunnel sidewall. However, few studies have been performed for the behavior of the shallow tunnel due to the deformation of the entire tunnel. Therefore, in this study the behavior of the surrounding ground and the stability caused by deformation of the whole tunnel were studied. For that purpose, model tests were performed for the various ground surface slopes and the cover depth of the tunnel. The model tunnel (width 300 mm, height 200 mm) could be simulationally deformed in the vertical and horizontal direction. The model ground was built by using carbon rods of three types (4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm), in various surface slopes and cover depth of the tunnel. The subsidence of ground surface, the load on the tunnel crown and the sidewall, and the transferred load near tunnel were measured. As results, the ground surface subsided above the tunnel, and its amount decreased as the distance from the tunnel increased. The influence of a tunnel ceased in a certain distance from the tunnel. At the inclined ground surface, the wider subsidence has been occurred. The loads on the crown and the sidewall were clearly visible, but there was no effect of the surface slope at a certain depth. The load transfer on the adjacent ground was larger when the cover depth (on the horizontal surface) was lager. The higher the level (on the inclined surface), the wider and smaller it appeared. On the shallow tunnel under inclined surface, the transfer of the ambient load on the tunnel sidewall (low side) was clearly visible.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to see the usefulness of lead apron for critical organs near the breast under examining. For clinical experiment, 30 female volunteers who agreed to their participation in the experiments, were chosen and divided into two groups, 15 in group A and 15 in group B respectively. group A is to see whether each side of breast under mammography affects to other side glandular on the critical organs is same, because it is not allowed to scan the both breast for same person or to scan repeatedly. Group B is to see the effectiveness of lead apron during the mammography of right breast. Glass dosimeters were placed on the thyroid, the contralateral breast, and lower abdomen where near the breast during examining. The average glandular doses on the surface in mammography of the thyroid gland, the contralateral breast, the lower abdomen were 0.0692 mGy, 0.6790 mGy, and 0.0122 mGy, respectively, which was an extremely low level of glandular dose. In group B, as to the thyroid gland, average dose was decreased from 0.0922 mGy to 0.0158 mGy. The average dose of contralateral breast was decreased from 0.8575 mGy to 0.0286 mGy. The average doses of lower abdomen was decrease 0.0150 mGy to 0.0173 mGy. As to the lower abdomen, dose decreased from 0.0150 mGy before the use of an apron down to 0.0173 mGy after the use. As p-value was under 0.05, statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. Wearing an apron can have the protective effects on the thyroid gland up to 20 times lower than not wearing one. Besides, it is also necessary to protect the other breast during the examination by wearing one.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.171-182
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• 2018

We performed the seismic field data processing using an open-source software (Madagascar) to verify if it is applicable to processing of field data, which has low signal-to-noise ratio and high uncertainties in velocities. The Madagascar, based on Python, is usually supposed to be better in the development of processing technologies due to its capabilities of multidimensional data analysis and reproducibility. However, this open-source software has not been widely used so far for field data processing because of complicated interfaces and data structure system. To verify the effectiveness of the Madagascar software on field data, we applied it to a typical seismic data processing flow including data loading, geometry build-up, F-K filter, predictive deconvolution, velocity analysis, normal moveout correction, stack, and migration. The field data for the test were acquired in Gunsan Basin, Yellow Sea using a streamer consisting of 480 channels and 4 arrays of air-guns. The results at all processing step are compared with those processed with Landmark's ProMAX (SeisSpace R5000) which is a commercial processing software. Madagascar shows relatively high efficiencies in data IO and management as well as reproducibility. Additionally, it shows quick and exact calculations in some automated procedures such as stacking velocity analysis. There were no remarkable differences in the results after applying the signal enhancement flows of both software. For the deeper part of the substructure image, however, the commercial software shows better results than the open-source software. This is simply because the commercial software has various flows for de-multiple and provides interactive processing environments for delicate processing works compared to Madagascar. Considering that many researchers around the world are developing various data processing algorithms for Madagascar, we can expect that the open-source software such as Madagascar can be widely used for commercial-level processing with the strength of expandability, cost effectiveness and reproducibility.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 2000

Clinical observation was made on 44 cases of stable thoracolumbar compression fracture that were confirmed through simple x-ray and neurological examination. They were hospitalized and treated by acupuncture and moxibustion, bed rest, herb medicine and physical therapy. If necessary, patient was given an enema. The results obtained are as follows. 1. The patient distribution ratio, in regard to sex, was shown to be 1: 13.7 for males to females. In regard to age, it was shown that people in their 60's was the most predominant case, followed by people in their 70's, 80's, 50's and 40's, respectively. 2. In regard to contributing factors, it was observed that accidental falls were most frequent, followed by reasons unknown, repetitive lifting of heavy objects, overlaboring and bruise in that order. 3. In regard to duration of illness before treatment, it was found that treatment within 1 week was most predominant, followed by over 4 weeks, and 1-2 weeks, respectively. 4. With regard to the duration of hospitalization, hospitalization within 2 weeks was found to be most predominant, followed by 2-4 weeks. 5. In regard to the level of the affected vertebral body; The affected vertebral bodies distributed between T3 to L5 except for T7; T12 was found to be most predominant, followed in turn by L1 and L5. 6. In regard to the number of affected vertebral bodies, 2 was the most frequent followed by 1 and 3, in that order. The average of the number of affected vertebral bodies was observed to be 2.8 and single vertebral body compression fracture was shown to have no clinical and statistical difference as compared with multiple vertebral body compression fractures. 7. In regard to the grade of the seriousness of symptoms, it was found that Grade IV was most predominant, followed by Grade III. 8. With regard to signs at the first medical examination, low back pain was seen in the highest number, and followed in order by gait disturbance, flank pain, flexion-extension disturbance, disturbance of rotation to right or left, and bowel dysfunction. 9. Concerning the effect of treatment, good results were most predominantly seen, and 95.5% of total patients showed fair results. 10. The duration of admission treatment due to the grade of clinical symptoms was as follows; In the case of the Grade IV, it was observed that within 2 weeks was most predominant and for Grade III was 2-4 weeks. It was also found that the grade of clinical symptoms was not in proportion to the duration of admission treatment. 11. In regard to the result of treatment due to the grade of clinical symptoms; It was found that in the case of Grade IV, within 2 weeks was most predominant, and for Grade III, it was found to be 2-4 weeks. 12. Intestinal obstruction was shown in 50% of total patients; In the case of duration of constipation, more than 1 week was found to be most predominant, followed by 2 and 4 days respectively. 13. With regard to the treatment of intestinal obstruction, using acupuncture and moxibustion, herb - medicine and enema together were found to be most effective. 14. Intestinal obstruction was mostly seen in the case of Grade IV.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate recognition level and practical application status of oral hygiene devices through making a survey of Seoul inhabitants. And survey was implemented in order to propose oral hygiene device for household health care activities. The following results were obtained by analyzing personal interviews of 347 commuting patients at two university hospitals and seven dental clinics. 1) The average length of toothbrush head was estimated as 22.3 mm and average changing cycle was 2.3 months. The user ratio of flat-headed brush was estimated as 51.9% and 46.7% were using fluoridated toothpaste. 2) Generally the ratio of toothpick users was higher than other device users. But the user ratio of dental floss was higher than toothpick in case of patients under orthodontic treatment. 3) The patients under orthodontic treatment were not familiar with handling orthodontic toothbrush. Though 45.8% among orthodontic patients recognized this type of toothbrush, only 25.4% of them knew how exactly to use it. 4) It was shown very low user ratio of oral hygiene devices that the patients who had periodontal problem, hypersensitive trouble, halitosis, implant or denture 5) The patients who had halitosis showed the highest user ratio of toothpick. The patients who had separation of teeth showed the highest user ratio of dental floss. The patients who're under orthodontic treatment showed the highest user ratio of interproximal brush and motorized brush. 6) In response to the most interesting dental disease, it's surveyed as follows; 60.3% of dental caries, 24.0% of periodontal disease, 14.8% of false occlusion and 0.9% of oral cancer. 7) Regarding the motivation of using those oral hygiene devices, 45% responded that it was because of recommendation by dental clinics. Among the negative answers, 38.6% responded that it was because of no selection guidance. 31.3% answered that they didn't use hygiene device because it's inconvenient. 12.0% answered that it's difficult to buy and expensive. 7.8% responded that they didn't feel significant improvement. 4.8% answered that dental hospitals and clinics didn't even introduce those hygiene devices. Therefore efficient campaign for those hygiene devices over all Korea nation should be developed and education program must be prepared for each case of patients in every dental hospitals and clinics.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.451-458
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine pervasive trends in oral cancer in different countries in an effort to discuss what to do to prevent cancer and drop a death rate. The materials of the study were selected from among articles of oral cancer by searching risk factor and epidemiology at a website (www.oraloncology.com). As a result of analyzing the selected literature, it's found that in our country, the percentage of oral cancer in total cancer dropped but the number of oral cancer patients was on the rise every year. In foreign countries, the number of oral cancer patients was on the increase as well, whereas the lethality dropped. In terms of demographic characteristics, the incidence rate of oral cancer was higher among men than women overall. The incidence rate of oral cancer was larger among older people. The major causes of oral cancer were smoking and drinking. To reduce the incidence rate of oral cancer, every possible institutional, administrative and legal measure should be taken to ensure of anti-smoking policies, and publicity of moderation in and abstinence from drinking should be reinforced. The additional causes of oral cancer were demographic characteristics by country and region. The incidence of oral cancer was under the influence of that was affected when the level of personal economy and education was low. Therefore it's important to redress social imbalance within a country and among countries to remove socioeconomic divide. As the oral cancer patients has increased every year, the incidence rate of it should accurately be grasped, and sustained research efforts should be made in consideration of demographic characteristics. Early diagnosis, public oral health education and preventive policies are all required to decrease the incidence rate of oral cancer.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.313-322
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• 2018

To investigate the changing patterns of sub-alpine forest vegetation due to climate change requires accumulation of contiguous reference data and continuous monitoring. Furthermore, it is crucial to monitor short-term ecological change of lower level vegetation to understand the trend of long-term vegetation change. Therefore, this study carried out a vegetation survey and tree diameter measurement in 36 plots of Mt. Jiri inhabited by Abies koreana species from 2015 to 2017 to examine the short-term dynamics of Abies koreana seedling and the change of vegetation distribution according to altitude. We analyzed the importance value and MIV (mean importance value) of major species by each stratum as well as the importance value and species diversity index of major species and the change of seedling population by altitude. The results showed that Abies koreana had the highest importance value on tree layer, Rhododendron schlippenbachii on shrub layer and Tripterygium regelii on herb layer. MIV was high in the order of Abies koreana, Rhododendron schlippenbachii and Acer pseudosieboldianum. Regarding the species composition and species diversity index (H') along the altitudinal gradient, Sasa borealis showed high MI and low H' in the elevation less than 1,500 m, and IV of Tripterygium regelii and H' of herb layer were high in the elevation of 1,700 - 1,800 m. Abies koreana seedling decreased by 22.4% from 1,250 n/ha in 2015 to 970 n/ha in 2017 (p <0.05) throughout the investigated area. The decline rate along seedling and sapling height were 22.9% in less than 10 cm, 3.4% in 10-30 cm, 8.9% in 30-50 cm, 39.3% in 50-100 cm, and 55.1% more than 100 cm. Few of A. koreana seedlings appeared due to the dominance of Sasa borealis in the elevation of 1,500 m or less and due to the dominance and high species diversity of Tripterygium regelii in the elevation of 1,700-1,800 m. On the other hand, many of A. koreana seedlings appeared in the elevation of 1,600-1,700 m due to no distribution of S. borealis and T. regelii species in that altitude range. Therefore, we concluded that those seedlings and saplings of A. koreana could be more stable in the altitude of 1,600-1,700 m.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.101-111
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• 2005

Objectives: This study was to evaluate the compliance of hypertensive patients and its related factors registered at Community Health Practitioner Post(CHCP). Methods: 304 patients were interviewed by trained nursing students during one month(June~July 2004). The questionnaire included general charactristics, knowledge of hypertension, health education experience, constructs of Health Belief Model, self efficacy and so on. Compliance group was defined "having regularly medication and good life style". Good life style included regular exercise, non-smoking, little alcohol, low salt diet, weight control. Results: In compliance group 90.3% of man and 93.3% of woman were regularly taking hypertensive medicine, and 45.2% of man and 56.4% of woman were having good life style (compliance group). In both man and woman, the group of higher education were more compliance group, but were statistically significant were in man(p<0.05). In woman, the compliance group have significantly higher score in knowledge of hypertension(p(0.05). The compliance group have significantly higher self-efficacy score in both man and woman (p<0.05). In Health Belief Model, susceptibility and benefit were statistically significant in man, seriousness, benefit and barrier in woman(p<0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, education level and self efficacy in man and knowledge of hypertension, self-efficacy and benefit in woman were significant variables (p<0.05). Conclusions: It is very important to evaluate and modify life-style adding to having regularly medication in hypertensive patients registered at CHCP. To this, health education programs about benefit to compliance and the methods to improve self-efficacy should be developed for this patients.