• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.333-343
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• 2004

Impression cytology refers to application of cellulose acetate filter material to the ocular surface to remove the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium. The technique is non-invasive, is easy to perform, causes minimal discomfort to the patient, and can be used to follow changes in the conjunctival ocular surface over time. With this method, the morphology of the conjunctival ocular surface can be studied and the degree of squmaous metaplasia assessed. This study was performed to evaluate the conjunctival surface by impression cytology in dry eye patients. A total of 70 students with no contact lens wearing history were recruited. Subjects were required to fill in a McMonnies dry eye symptom questionnaire. The non-invasive tear thinning time(TIT) test of each subject was measured, followed by Schirmer tear test(STI), tear film break-up time(TBUT) tests and Rose-bengal staining were performed as a baseline. Conjunctival epithelial cells from the inferior bulbar conjunctiva were harvested by the impression cytology technique. The specimens collected were labelled and stained with PAS(Periodic Acid Schift)-haematoxylin. The goblet cells and conjunctival epithelial cells were observed under a light microscope of 400x magnification. The specimens were classified according to the Nelson Grading scale which was based on the degree of squamous metaplasia such as changes of goblet cells density, size/form, N:C(nucleus : cytoplasm) ratio. Dry eye patients were observed morphological changes of the epithelial cells, different nuclear alterations, decrease of the goblet cells density. The degree of cytological changes was related to severity of dry eye conditions. When the epithelial cell morphology was graded according to the system described by Nelson, specimens from the control group revealed 91.43% of the eyes to be grade 0 and 8.57% to be grade 1, whereas of the dry eye patients, 20% were grade 0, 42.86% grade 1, 34.29% grade 2 and 2,86% grade 3. Impression cytology represents a non- or minimally invasive biopsy of the ocular surface epithelium with no side effects or contraindications. It has demonstrated to be a useful diagnostic aid for a wide variety of processes involving the ocular surface. This technique is a safe, simple method and may help increase understanding of various ocular surface alterations in dry eye patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.944-952
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• 2009

Purpose : To investigate the effects of angiotensin II inhibition on the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the developing kidney, we tested the expression of EMT markers and nestin in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-treated kidneys. Methods : Newborn rat pups were treated with enalapril (30 mg/kg/d) or a vehicle for 7 days. Immunohistochemistry for the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (SMA), E-cadherin, vimentin, and nestin were performed. The number of positively-stained cells was determined under 100 magnification in 10 random fields. Results : In the enalapril-treated group, ${\alpha}SMA-positive$ cells were strongly expressed in the dilated tubular epithelial cells. The number of ${\alpha}SMA-positive$ cells in the enalapril-treated group increased in both the renal cortex and medulla, compared to the control group (P<0.05). The expression of E-cadherin-positive cells was dramatically reduced in the cortical and medullary tubular epithelial cells in the enalapril-treated group (P<0.05). The number of vimentin- and nestin-positive cells in the cortex was not different in comparisons between the two groups; however, their expression increased in the medullary tubulointerstitial cells in the enalapril-treated group (P<0.05). Conclusion : Our results show that ACE inhibition in the developing kidney increases the renal EMT by up-regulating ${\alpha}SMA$ and down-regulating E-cadherin. Enalapril treatment was associated with increased expression of vimentin and nestin in the renal medulla, suggesting that renal medullary changes during the EMT might be more prominent, and ACE inhibition might differentially modulate the expression of EMT markers in the developing rat kidney.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2009

Objectives : Illness behavior is defined as the persistence of an adaptive/maladaptive mode of perceiving, evaluating and responding to health status and symptoms according to the status. In a cognitive aspect, somatizing symptoms are regarded as being originated from distortions, including magnification and/or amplification, of perceiving, evaluating and responding to symptoms such as bodily sensations. That is somatization may be explained by maladaptive illness behavior. In this study, we tried to investigate differences of illness behavior in depressive patient according to the presence of somatization. Methods : We divided 45 patients who were diagnosed as depression with ICD-10 diagnostic criteria into two groups(somatizing and non-somatizing group) according to the somatization subscale of Korean Depression Scale and compared two groups in the differences of illness behavior using the Illness Behavior Questionnaire. Results : Somatizing group showed significantly higher scores than non-somatizing group on the disease affirmation subscale($6.79{\pm}2.08$ vs. 4.76, p=0.003) and the denial subscale($3.25{\pm}1.22$ vs. $2.10{\pm}1.41$, p=0.006). There were no significant differences between two groups on the general hypochondriasis subscale and the affective unstability subscale. In a logistic regression analysis, somatizing group also showed higher odds ratio (OR) scores on the disease affirmation subscale(OR=1.418, p=0.089) and the denial subscale(OR=1.880, p=0.083). Conclusion : The disease affirmation and denial may be a discriminative mechanism of somatization in depressive patients. These subscales of Illness Behavior Questionnare could be useful markers, and psychiatric illnesses with somatizing and depressive symptoms may be differentially diagnosed and be predicted through these subscales.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the cleansing performance of a distilled water, a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite as a household bleaching cleanser and three alkaline peroxide cleansers in vivo plaque deposits by using scanning electron microscope. Materials and methods: Five individuals were selected from department of the prosthodontics in Pusan National University Hospital, and each of them was inserted with specimens for plaque accumulation in their temporary dentures for 48 hours. The specimens were removed and cleaned by each cleansing agents for 8 hours. Scanning electron micrographs were made from the specimens at a magnification of ${\times}2,000$. A panel of ten persons with a dental or paradental background, but not directly involved in the study, was selected to analyze the photomicrographs to determine which denture cleanser was more effective in removing plaque. Results: Diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite was the most effective at removing plaque following $Polident^{(R)}$, $Cleadent^{(R)}e$, $Bonyplus^{(R)}$ and distilled water in order. But there was no significant difference of cleansing efficacy between diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite and $Polident^{(R)}$, $Polident^{(R)}$ and $Cleadent^{(R)}e$, $Cleadent^{(R)}e$ and $Bonyplus^{(R)}$, respectively (P > .05). Alkaline peroxide cleansers by themselves cannot adequately remove accumulated plaque deposits, especially if the deposits are heavy. Corrosion could be seen on the surface of non-precious alloy specimens immersed in diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite. Conclusion: It is recommended to use of alkaline peroxide type cleansers with brushing whenever possible, since denture cleanliness is often poor due to the relative inefficiency of these cleansers.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and fluorescence intensity of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactive (VIP-IR) cells in rat trigeminal ganglion following pulp extirpation of rat mandibular molar. The animals were divided into control group(n=6) and experimental group(n=6). The experimental animals were sacrificed at 14 days after pulp extirpation. The trigeminal ganglion was removed and immersed in the 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1M phosphate buffer. Serial frozen sections about $20{\mu}m$ in thickness were cut with a cryostat. The immunofluorescence staining was performed. The rabbit anti-VIP(1 : 8,000) was used as primary antibody and fluorescene isothiocynate(FITC) conjugated anti-rabbit IgG(1 : 80) as secondary antibody. The slides were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Unprocessed optical sections were obtained and stored on a optical disk. Color pictures were printed by a video copy processor. The results were as follows; 1. The positive ratio of VIP-IR cells in mandibular part of trigeminal ganglion were 7.40% in control group and 28.42% in experimental group(14 days after pulp extirpation). 2. The relative fluorescence intensity of VIP-IR cells in mandibular part of trigeminal ganglion were 87.78 in control group and 138.65 in experimental group. The relative fluorescence intensity of experimental group was 58% higher than that of control group. 3. In optical serial section analysis of VIP-IR cells of experimental group, most of the 9 sections showed high fluorescence intensity. At high magnification, axons of the experimental group displayed greater VIP-IR than in the control group, and the positive cells were mainly of medium size. The result indicate that number and fluorescence intensity of VIP-IR cells were increased in the mandibular part of trigeminal ganglion following pulp extirpation of mandibular molar, and it suggests that VIP could play a role in processing of nociception.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.381-390
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• 2004

The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of Nd:YAG laser irradiation and fluorides on acid drink demineralized enamel. The materials were 30 freshly extracted permanent premolars with intact smooth enamel surfaces. They were demineralized with Coca-cola at $37^{\circ}C$ for 12hours and then irradiated by Nd:YAG laser with 6W power, $50mJ/cm^2$ energy density, and 20Hz pulse repetition. After laser irradiation, teeth were treated by three kinds of fluorides; (1)0.05% NaF fluoride solution (2)1.23% APF gel and (3)0.1%F fluoride varnish, microhardness(VHN) and Diagnodent scores were measured and the surfaces of each treated specimens were also observed with SEM under 1500 magnification. The results were as follows: 1. In the change of microhardness(VHN), it decreased to 34.68% from the initial micrhardness, increased to 78.37% after laser irradiation and increased to 82.62% after fluoride treatment, there were significant differences except when it was irradiated and treated with fluoride(P<0.05). 2. In the change of Diagnodent scores, it was decreased to 28.08% from the initial scores after demineralization, and then increased to 59.81% after laser irradiation, and increased to 82.17% after fluoride treatment. Scores were different significantly between the scores of initial, demineralization, laser irradiation and fluoride treatment(P<0.05). All the scores were not different significantly between fluoride types. 3. SEM observation showed that the lased enamel surfaces after demineralization were thermally degenerated and showed molten lava-like appearance and crater with cracks and many microholes.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2005

Purpose: Some gastric cancer patients in whom the cancer has infiltrated up to the muscularis propria (mp) have a good postoperative course similar to that of early gastric cancer (EGC) patients (this does not match the general classification of gastric cancer). Therefore, we performed a retrospective analysis of 125 patients with mp gastric cancer based on the degree of mp invasion. Materials and Methods: The clinicopathologic features of 125 cases of mp gastric cancer were subdivided according to depth of invasion, and were retrospectively reviewed and compared with the surgical features of 222 patients with gastric cancer invading the submucosa (sm). For each tumor, using the section that showed the greatest extent of invasion, we evaluated the degree of tumor invasion into the mp layer at a magnification of $\times$100. The patients were classified into 2 groups: mp1, the tumor was limited to the first of the 3 mp layers, and mp2, the tumor had expanded beyond the first layer. Results: Patients with mp1 (n=50) had a significantly lower incidence of lymph node metastasis, and a smaller tumor size than patients with mp2 (n=75) (P=0.01 and P=0.029, respectively). The 5-year survival rate of mp1 patients was significantly better than that of mp2 patients ($95.3\%\;vs.\;77.6\%$, P=0.0282), but was similar to that ($91.2\%$) of the 222 sm patients. The 5-year survival rate of mp patients without lymph node metastasis (n=55) was significantly better than that of those with lymph node metastasis (n=70)($93.3\%\;vs.\;78.2\%$, P=0.0192). Patients with mp1 had a significantly higher incidence of lymph node metastasis ($42.5\%\;vs\;23\%$, P=0.006) than patients with sm. Conclusion: There were clear differences in clinical features between the mp1 and the mp2 patients. Subdivision of mp gastric cancer according to the depth of invasion may enable a more precise prognosis and a more pertinent treatment plan for mp patients. In particular, as the clinicopathological findings and surgical outcomes for mp1 patients were akin to those of the sm patients, mp1 patients may require treatment analogous to that administered to patients with sm gastric cancer. (J Korean Gastric Cancer Assoc 2005;5:101-105)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2000.09a
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• pp.201-210
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• 2000

Rock bridge in rock masses can be considered as one of several types of opening-mode fractures, and also it has been known to have a great influence on the stability of structures in rock mats. In the beginning of researching a rock bridge it used to be studied only in characteristics of its behavior, as considering resistance of material itself. However the distribution pattern of rock bridges, which can affect the stability of rock structures, is currently researched with a fracture mechanical approach in numerical studies. For investigating the effect of rock bridges on the development pattern of hydraulic fractures, the author analyzed numerically the stress state transition in rock bridges and their phenomena with a different pattern of the rock bridge distributons. From the numerical studies, a two-crack configuration could be defined to be representative of the most critical conditions for rock bridges, only when cracks are systematic and same in their length and angle. Moreover, coalescence stresses and onset of propagation stresses could be known to increase with decreasing s/L ratio or increasing d/L ratio. The effect of pre-existing crack on hydraulic fracturing was studied also in numerical models. Different to the simple hydraulic fracturing modeling in which the fractures propagated exactly parallel to the maximum remote stress, the hydraulic fractures with pre-existing cracks dial not propagate parallel to the maximum remote stress direction. These are representative of the tendency to change the hydraulic fractures direction because of the existence of pre-existing crack. Therefore s/L, d/L ratios will be identical as a function effective on hydraulic fractures propagation, that is, the $K_{I}$ vague increase with decreasing s/L ratio or increasing d/L ratio and its magnification from onset to propagation increases with decreasing s/L ratio. The scanline is a commonly used method to estimate the fracture distribution on outcrops. The data obtained from the scanline method can be applied to the evaluation of stress field in rock mass.s.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.447-456
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• 2000

Rock bridge in rock masses can be considered as one of several types of opening-mode fractures, and also it has been known to have a great influence on the stability of structures in rock mass. In the beginning of researching a rock bridge it used to be studied only in characteristics of its behavior, as considering resistance of material itself. However the distribution pattern of rock bridges, which can affect the stability of rock structures, is currently researched with a fracture mechanical approach in numerical studies. For investigating the effect of rock bridges on the development pattern of hydraulic fractures, the author analyzed numerically the stress state transition in rock bridges and their phenomena with a different pattern of the rock bridge distributions. From the numerical studies, a two-crack configuration could be defined to be representative of the most critical conditions for rock bridges, only when cracks are systematic and same in their length and angle. Moreover, coalescence stresses and onset of propagation stresses could be known to increase with decreasing s/L ratio or increasing d/L ratio. The effect of pre-existing crack on hydraulic fracturing was studied also in numerical models. Different to the simple hydraulic fracturing modeling in which the fractures propagated exactly parallel to the maximum remote stress, the hydraulic fractures with pre-existing cracks did not propagate parallel to the maximum remote stress direction. These are representative of the tendency to change the hydraulic fractures direction because of the existence of pre-existing crack. Therefore s/L, d/L ratios will be identical as a function effective on hydraulic fractures propagation, that is, the K$_1$ value increase with decreasing s/L ratio or increasing d/L ratio and its magnification from onset to propagation increases with decreasing s/L ratio. The scanline is a commonly used method to estimate the fracture distribution on outcrops. The data obtained from the scanline method can be applied to the evaluation of stress field in rock mass.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.534-538
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• 2001

Background: Knowledge of size and morphology of the normal trachea is important for airway management and tracheal reconstruction. Conventional radiography is a simple method used to measure the tracheal diameter, but it is not accurate because of the artifacts related to image magnification and overlapping by the shoulder. The purpose of this study was to provide the normal values of the tracheal size and anatomy in Korean adults using Computerized Topography. Material and Method: There were 43 men and 34 women included in this study. They were divided into three age groups(group 1, 20-39 years ; group 2, 40-59 yeas , groups 3, $\geq$60 years). The anteroposterior and transverse diameters and cross - sectional areas of the trachea were measured at the level of the thoracic inlet(Level 1) and the aortic arch(Level 2). These values obtained at each level were compared between age groups and sexes. Result: In 43 men, the anteroposterior / transverse diameters(mean SD in millimeters) of the trachea at levels 1 and 2 were 19.95$\pm$2.99 / 17.72$\pm$2.13 and 19.77$\pm$2.57 / 18.02$\pm$2.19, respectively. In 34 women, those values at levels 1 and 2 were 15.56$\pm$2.12 / 14.18$\pm$2.07 and 15.35$\pm$1.82 / 15.00$\pm$1.60, respectively. At both levels, the anteroposterior and transverse diameters were significantly greater in men than in women (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area of the trachea at levels 1 and 2 were 279.14$\pm$61.37 / 281.93$\pm$63.97 $\textrm{mm}^2$ in men and 173.29$\pm$35.81 / 181.88$\pm$34.74 in women, respectively. They also showed significantly greater values in men than in women(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in diameters and cross-sectional areas of the trachea between age groups. Conclusion: There are significant differences in the internal diameter and cross- sectional area of the trachea between men and women in normal Korean adults, while the age difference was insignificant. We believed CT is a relatively accurate and safe way to measure the internal diameter and cross-sectional areas of the trachea.