• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.417-423
• /
• 2011

Purpose: This study was to investigate that near gradient AC/A ratio could be used to prescribe a patient with distance exophoria, we compared the difference between distance gradient AC/A ratio and near gradient AC/A ratio. Also, this thesis was to understand the relationship between calculated AC/A ratio and gradient AC/A ratio. Methods: Objective and subjective refractive error were corrected and we used Howell (3 m) chart for distance phoria tests and Howell-Kim (40 cm) chart for near phoria tests. The near gradient AC/A ratio and calculated AC/A ratio were used by Howell-Kim (40 cm) combined with +1.00 D, -1.00 D, +2.00 D and -2.00 D. Results: The average value of distance exophoria was 1.17${\pm}$1.17 $\Delta$, and the average value of near exophoria was 3.71${\pm}$2.80 $\Delta$ (t-test. p<0.001). The correlation of distance phoria with near phoria was little higher (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Gradient AC/A ratios depending on measuring distance and stimulus were higher (r = 0.11~0.53. P < 0.001), when distance was shorter and stimulus to accommodation was more. Also, stimulus to accommodation by plus lens was higher than stimulus to accommodation by minus lens (paired t-test. p < 0.001). There was negative correlation between calculated AC/A ratio and gradient AC/A ratio. As the calculated AC/A ratio was higher, gradient AC/A ratio was lesser. Near gradient AC/A ratio was slightly higher than distance gradient AC/A ratio. Distance and near gradient AC/A ratio taken through the subjective -1.00 D were 1.30 $\Delta$/D and 1.68 $\Delta$/D(t-test. t=1.67, p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is negative correlation between calculated AC/A ratio and gradient AC/A ratio. Also, there is subtle difference between near gradient AC/A ratio and distance gradient AC/A ratio. Therefore, we need to measure distance gradient AC/A ratio when a practitioner prescribe glasses for a patient with distance exophoria.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Low back pain(LBP) is a common disabling disease in clinical practice and loss of working hours due to this condition is huge. The aim of this study was to determine if there was an association between fat deposit of paraspinal muscles as observed on MRI scans in patients presenting with unilateral LBP. Methods : 24 patients who visiting our hospital with a clinical presentation of unilateral LBP were recruited to the study. Patients were between 20 and 30 years and had a history of unilateral LBP within 12 months. After MRI scaning, the images were saved in DICOM file format for Picture Archiving and Communication System(PACS). The percentage of fat infiltrated area was measured using a pseudocoloring technique. Data were analyzed comparing the fat deposits of the muscles on the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides. Paired t-test was used to find the difference between the measurements of fat tissue in individual patients. Results : The amount of fat in the symptomatic side was $7.6{\pm}4.51%$, asymptomatic side was $6.7{\pm}4.29%$. There were increases, statistically significant, in the fat changes of the paraspinal muscles at the L4-5 disc level(P <0.05). Also, men were likely than women to have more fat deposit in symptomatic side(men $8.5{\pm}5.1%$, women $6.5{\pm}3.6%$). Conclusions : The amount of fat in the symptomatic side shows significantly increased than asymptomatic side in the paraspinal muscles at the L4-5 disc level. It suggested that fat infiltration in the muscles associated with LBP. Further studies will be needed to confirm the relationship between the muscle fatty changes and LBP in the large sample size. In addition, the correlation of pain severity with fat infiltration needs to be addressed.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.165-173
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface change after 15% carbamide peroxide home bleaching to various restorative materials (composite resin [CR], resin modified glass ionomer [RMGI] and glass ionomer [GI]) and to observe the effect of surface condition of the materials on re-staining. Three esthetic restorative materials (Filtek Z250, 3M, USA; Fuji II LC, GC, Japan; Fuji II, GC, Japan) were used in this study. Twenty specimens per material group were made and divided into two groups (bleached and control). The specimens were immersed in coffee after applying bleaching agent. The color change and surface roughness were measured before and after bleaching and after immersion in coffee. The data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0. The results were as follows: 1. The color of all experiment groups was significantly changed after bleaching (p<0.05). RMGI was the greatest value of ${\Delta}E^*$ and ${\Delta}L^*$. GI and CR groups were in ordering (p<0.05). The ${\Delta}a^*$ value was decreased GI, RMGI and CR. RMGI was only significantly decreased in ${\Delta}b^*$ value (p<0.05). 2. The surface roughness before and after bleaching was significantly different on CR, RMGI and GI (p<0.05). 3. After staining with coffee, the value of ${\Delta}E^*$ was increased in GI, RMGI and CR, furthermore GI and RMGI showed significant difference in the bleaching groups (p<0.05). The ${\Delta}L^*$ value of GI and RMGI was significantly decreased. 4. The change of surface roughness after staining was not significantly different in all groups (p>0.05). The maintenance of color stability in esthetic restorations is one of the most important properties. Tooth whitening is for the aesthetic. Therefore, dental professionals should notice to patients about re-staining after tooth whitening. They should give an instruction that how to prevent and which kinds of agents could be stained.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.9
• /
• pp.1109-1117
• /
• 2013

Induction of G1 Arrest by Methanol Extract of Lycopus lucidus in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells Lycopus lucidus, a herbaceous perennial, is used as a traditional remedy in East Asia, including China and Korea. It has been reported that L. lucidus has anti-allergic effects, inhibitory effects on cholesterol acyltransferase in high glucose-induced vascular inflammation, and anti-proliferative effects in human breast cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects of L. lucidus have not yet been fully determined. In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer effect and the mechanism of action of L. lucidus in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells using methanol extracts of L. lucidus (MELL). MELL treatment showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner and induced G1 arrest in A549 cells. The induction of G1 arrest by MELL was associated with the up-regulation of phospho-CHK2 and the down-regulation of Cdc25A phosphatase. In addition, MELL treatment induced decreased expression of G1/S transition-related proteins, including CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and cyclin E. MELL also regulated the mRNA expression of CDK2 and cyclin E. On the other hand, the expression of p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 was not induced by MELL. Collectively, these results suggest that MELL may exert an anti-cancer effect by cell cycle arrest at G1 phase through the ATM/CHK2/Cdc25A/CDK2 pathway in A549 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.9
• /
• pp.1155-1162
• /
• 2013

Estrogen like activities were evaluated using ethanol and hot water extracts of gongjindan (GJD) and 3 types of brown algae by an in vitro detection system. Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida represented statistically significant (p<0.001) estrogen like activities, while GJD and Ecklonia stolonifera did not. Furthermore, activities of hot water extracts ($500{\mu}g/ml$) of Laminaria japonica and three mixture (Ecklonia stolonifera : Undaria pinnatifida : Laminaria japonica, 1: 1: 1) were stronger than that of $10^{-7}M$ $17{\beta}$-estradiol. These results suggest that Laminaria japonica contain estrogen like compounds. Based on these results, the prepared seaweed GJD were used for animal experiments about the effects on inhibition of platelet aggregation and serum lipid levels in ovariectomized rats. 9-week Old female SD-rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups as sham-operated rats, ovariectomized rats and ovariectomized rats that were treated with GJD. The rats were placed on prescribed diets for 5 weeks following ovariectomy. Total cholesterol and triglyceride contents on serum decreased in the SHAM group compared to the OVX-CON group. 5 weeks feeding of GJD resulted in significant lowering of triglyceride and a decreasing tendency of total cholesterol level. The level of HDL-cholesterol on serum increased significantly by feeding diets containing the GJD. The ability of platelet aggregation of group treated with GJD was less than that of the OVX-CON group. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of seaweed gongjindan may be used to improve menopausal syndrome.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.761-769
• /
• 2011

Daily minimum temperature and freezing data of the Seoul weather station ($37^{\circ}$34'N, $126^{\circ}$57'E, Songwol-dong Jongno-gu Seoul, hereinafter Songwol) and freezing data of the Han River station ($37^{\circ}$30'N, $126^{\circ}$57'E, hereinafter Han River) were used to study the long-term variation of the freezing climate for Seoul, Korea, for the period of 100 years from 1907 to 2006. 'Freezing' of Songwol is defined that the water in outdoor fields is frozen, and 'freezing' of the Han River located 6 km away from Songwol is defined as the region 100 meters upstream of the second and fourth piers in the south end of the Han River Bridge is fully frozen. The mean first freezing date for Songwol was October 28, and one for Han River was December 28; these showed a late tendency, with the rate of 0.78 days $decade^{-1}$ and 3.47 days $decade^{-1}$, respectively. The mean annual freezing days was 159.06 days for Songwol and 50.33 days for Han River; each showed a $decade^{-1}$shorter tendency, with rates of 2.01 days $decade^{-1}$ and 5.24 days $decade^{-1}$, respectively. All the seven no-freezing years (1960, 1971, 1972, 1978, 1988, 1991, and 2006) for Han River came after 1950. The mean daily minimum temperatures of the first freezing dates for Songwol and Han River were $0.55^{\circ}C$ and $-12.22^{\circ}C$. The first freezing occurred after 6.43 days for Songwol and after 8.94 days for Han River with daily minimum temperature below $0^{\circ}C$. The annual minimum temperatures of Songwol and Han River exhibited positive correlations with the first freezing date and negative correlations with freezing days. The result shows that the freezing climate change is relevant to temperature change and is a part of overall climate change. By conducting additional studies with various methods and wider region, we will be able to monitor the freezing climate.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.245-252
• /
• 1999

Purpose : The aim of this study is to determine the age-specific seropositivity and the level of measles specific IgG in adults and to evaluate herd immunity to measles in Korea, the measles specific IgG were measured from the sera of adults over ages of 20 in Korea. Methods : 156 sera were collected from 156 out-patients over ages 20, who had visited clinical laboratory from June to July in 1997 at Korea University Ansan Hospital. The histories of natural measles or vaccination were not undertaken. Measles specific IgG titers were measured using ELISA method($SIA^{TM}$ Measles IgG Kit Co. St. Louis. Mo). Results : The results obtained from this study were as follows. 1) The seropositivity of measles specific IgG in adults was 94.9%. And there were no significant differences in their age and gender. 2) The mean measles-specific IgG titer was $238{\pm}84AU/mL$. And there were no significant differences in age and gender, except significant lower in 4th decades than other age groups. And there were no significant correlations between age and measles specific IgG level. Conclusion : In conclusion, a seropositivity of in adults was 94.9% which was higher than that of adolescents(91.2% in previous study), and antibody level was similar with adolescents. The herd immunity of the adults were considered to enough for protecting the transmission of measles in the community. For the eradication of measles in Korea, more efforts will be required to increase the vaccine coverage rate in children and adolescents.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.392-399
• /
• 2013

This study aimed to investigate responses of photosynthesis, plant growth, and phytochemical contents to different artificial light sources for 'Seneca RZ' and 'Gaugin RZ' two butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). In this study, fluorescent lamps (FL), three colors LEDs (red, blue and white, 5 : 4 : 1; RBW) and metalhalide lamps (MH) were used as artificial lighting sources. Photoperiod, air temperature, relative humidity, EC, and pH in a cultivation system were maintained at 16/8 h, $25/15^{\circ}C$, 60~70%, $1.4{\pm}0.2dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, and $6.0{\pm}0.5$, respectively. The photosynthetic rate of both two butterhead lettuce were the highest under RBW in middle growth stage. However, in late growth stage, the photosynthetic rate of both two butterhead lettuce were higher under RBW and MH than FL. The light sources showed significant results for plant growth but those effects were different to variety. Fresh and dry weight of 'Gaugin RZ' butterhead lettuce under MH were heavier than other lights in all growth stages. Growth of 'Seneca RZ' butterhead lettuce was maximized highest under MH in middle growth stage and FL in late growth stage. In the leaf tissue of 'Seneca RZ' butterhead lettuce, tipburn symptom occurred under all light sources and in the leaf tissue of 'Gaugin RZ' butterhead lettuce, it occurred under two light sources except for fluorescent lamps in late growth stage. kinds of lamp affect plant growth more than plant quality. Relative growth rate of both two butterhead lettuce was faster in middle growth stage than late stage. Growth of 'Gaugin RZ' was shown by kinds of lamp in middle growth stage and but it was not significantly affected by light sources and variety in late stage. Most of the phytochemical contents of two butterhead lettuce were significantly affected by different light sources. Contents of all vitamins showed higher than other light sources on RBW for both two lettuce, especially ${\beta}$-Carotene content of 'Gaugin RZ' was the highest. Plant growth, photosynthesis, and phytochemical contents were observed significant effects by different light sources for two butterhead lettuce but those effects were highly different between variety and kinds of phytochemicals. Therefore, the selection of optimum light source should be considered by variety and kinds of phytochemicals in the plant factory.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.87-100
• /
• 2014

Environmental problems and the shortage of natural resources are currently gathering more attention in Korea and international countries. With these problems, it is reported that most current domestic buildings are emitting approximately 138 million tons of greenhouse gas. According to a recent report from the investigation of Korean housing population, the total number of households is approximately 12.9 millions, and the apartments that were built more than 15 years ago amounted to 3.1 millions. This shows that the rates of old apartment housings are increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the deteriorated facilities and environmental improvement. Also, the construction industry is benefited by improving these housings which may need either remodeling or reconstruction. Environmental friendly buildings are a rising consideration for remodeling and reconstruction projects; it helps to determine many business matters in construction. The main purpose of this research is to improve environmental condition in apartments with comparison analysis between remodeling and reconstruction alternatives. This research is focused on characteristics of remodeling and reconstruction and it sets up the same condition with each level in order to evaluate the value of environmental friendliness and analyze its definition. The result of this research provides a unique emitting rate at a novel framework and this will cause the reduction of $CO_2$. It is analyzed that the remodeling construction can reduce the great amount of $CO_2$. Therefore, it will be a good decision guideline in selecting the most eco-friendly alternative to improve environment for building construction. Although reconstruction is a popular alternative nowadays in Korea, this research can provide a reason why decision makers should put more emphasis on remodeling as an environment-friendly alternative.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.201-210
• /
• 2001

Background : Approximately 10-13% of patients with interstitial lung disease(ILD) die of lung cancer, and patients with ILD have been reported to have a 7 fold higher incidence of lung cancer compared to the normal population. Recently, overexpression of the p53 and p21 proteins were observed in the epithelial cells from pathologic specimens of ILD. Overexpression of these proteins may result from chronic or recurrent DNA damage by unknown causes of inflammation. However, these proteins may also contribute to oncogenesis if other genetic alterations such as K-ras are superimposed. Methods : Immunohistochemical stains for p53 and K-ras proteins were performed with pathologic specimens from 38 cases with ILD(M/F : 27/11, mean agea : $54{\pm}10$ years) and from 10 control subjects. Results : The p53 protein was expressed in 21.1% (8/38 ILD cases) and K-ras protein expression was observed in 65.8% (25/38 ILD cases). However, neither p53 nor the K-ras protein staining was observed in the control subjects. Conclusion : A significant proportion of cases with ILD expressed the p53 and K-ras proteins in their bronchial epithelial cells. These proteins may be potentially oncogenic with the addition of further genetic alterations. However, to clarify the significance of these findings, further studies looking for correlations with the incidence of lung cancer and other genetic changes are needed.