• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.558-571
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• 2022

Objective : The primary objective of this study was to identify predicting factors for local control (LC) of atypical meningioma, and we validated them with comparing the predicting factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS). We also examined the rate of LC after surgical resection with or without adjuvant treatment and RFS. Methods : Clinical and radiological records of patients with atypical meningiomas diagnosed at two institutes from January 2000 to December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Histopathological features were also reviewed using formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples from pathological archives. Results : Of the 99 atypical meningiomas eligible for analysis, 36 (36.4%) recurred during the follow-up period (mean, 83.3 months; range, 12-232 months). The rate of 3-year LC and 5-year LC was 80.8% and 74.7%, respectively. The mean time-to-recurrence was 49.4 months (range, 12-150). The mean RFS was 149.3 months (95% confidence interval, 128.8-169.8 months) during the mean follow-up duration of 83.3 months (range, 12-232 months). Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional-hazard regression model showed that the extent of resection (hazard ratio [HR], 4.761; p=0.013), Ki67 index (HR, 8.541; p=0.004), mitotic index (HR, 3.275; p=0.044), and tumor size (HR, 3.228; p=0.041) were independently associated with LC. These factors were also statistically associated with RFS. In terms of radiotherapy after surgical resection, the recurrence was not prevented by immediate radiotherapy because of the strong effect of proliferative index on recurrence. Conclusion : The present study suggests that the extent of resection, proliferative index (according to Ki67 expression) and mitotic index, and tumor size are associated with recurrence of atypical meningiomas. However, our results should be further validated through prospective and randomized clinical trials to overcome the inborn bias of retrospective nature of the study design.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.817-841
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to examine feasibility of the 'Master Plan of 2013 Slow Food Expo(2013 AsiO Gusto), Korea' and to analyze the following economic effect. To this end, we used existing data and statistics, and estimated the demand by means of survey for people's traveling and questionnaires for ordinary Koreans. For examining financial feasibility for hosting the Expo, BC ratio (Benefit-Cost Ratio) and NPV (Net Present Value) was applied. For estimating the economic effect following the Expo, the effect on all over the country and the Gyeong-gi province was analyzed, using the MRIO (Model of Regional Input-Output). Specifically, with the net effect of Expo, the economic feasibility test shows 1.04~2.15 BC ratio with 10% free admission, and 1.02~2.27 BC ratio in Finance analysis. Furthermore, the Expo feeds through Gyeong-gi (including Nam-yang-ku) regional economies with production induction effect, value-added induction effect, and employment induction effect. The amounts of regional effects are 373.6~738.7 billion won, 166.2~327.4 billion won, and 1,971~2,009 persons, respectively. Also, the "2013 Slow Food Expo, Korea" was analyzed profitable in general. Residents in Nam-yang-ju expects the Expo to bring vitalities into their hometown. The Expo is highly related to the positive economic effectiveness of Nam-yang-ju.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.3-37
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• 2011

This paper investigates the existence of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for carbon dioxide $CO_2$ emissions and its causal relationships with economic growth and openness by using time series data (1971-2006) from China (an emerging market), Korea (a newly industrialized country), and Japan (a developed country). The sample countries span a whole range of development stages from industrialized to newly industrialized and emerging market economies. The environmental consequences according to openness and economic growth do not show uniform results across the countries. Depending on the national characteristics, the estimated EKC show different temporal patterns. China shows an N-shaped curve while Japan has a U-shaped curve. Such dissimilarities are also found in the relationship between $CO_2$ emissions and openness. In the case of Korea, and Japan it represents an inverted U-shaped curve while China shows a U-shaped curve. We also analyze the dynamic relationships between the variables by adopting a vector auto regression or vector error correction model. These models through the impulse response functions allow for analysis of the causal variable's influence on the dynamic response of emission variables, and it adopts a variance decomposition to explain the magnitude of the forecast error variance determined by the shocks to each of the causal variables over time. Results show evidence of large heterogeneity among the countries and variables impacts.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1044-1050
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• 2014

Since there is no consensus about the most reliable assays to detect invasive aspergillosis from samples obtained by minimally invasive or noninvasive methods, we compared the efficacy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for galactomannan (GM) detection and quantitative real-time PCR assay (qRT-PCR) for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Neutropenic, male Sprague-Dawley rats (specific pathogen free; 8 weeks old; weight, $200{\pm}20g$) were immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide and infected with Aspergillus fumigatus intratracheally. Tissue and whole blood samples were harvested on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 post-infection and examined with GM ELISA and qRT-PCR. The A. fumigatus DNA detection sequence was detected in the following number of samples from 12 immunosuppressed, infected rats examined on the scheduled days: day 1 (0/12), day 3 (0/12), day 5 (6/12), and day 7 (8/12) post-infection. The sensitivity and specificity of the qRT-PCR assay was 29.2% and 100%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis indicated a Ct (cycle threshold) cut-off value of 15.35, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.627. The GM assay detected antigen in sera obtained on day 1 (5/12), day 3 (9/12), day 5 (12/12), and day 7 (12/12) post-infection, and thus had a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 100%. The ROC of the GM assay indicated that the optimal Ct cut-off value was 1.40 (AUC, 0.919). The GM assay was more sensitive than the qRT-PCR assay in diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in rats.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2008

A strain IDCC 9203 isolated from infant feces was identified as Lactobacillus johnsonii on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence analysis. L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 was highly resistant to acid (MRS broth at pH 2.3) and bile (MRS broth with 0.3% oxgall). The antibacterial activities of L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 was examined against Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 2054. The growth of S. typhimurium KCTC 2054 was inhibited by the cell-free culture supernatant (at pH 4.0) of L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 as well as by the respective control (MRS broth at pH 4.0). Antimicrobial effect against S. typhimurium KCTC 2054 of L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 was probably due to the lactic acid. By an in vitro cell adhesion model, L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 preincubated or coincubated with Caco-2 cells reduced the adhesion of S. typhimurium KCTC 2054 to Caco-2 cells by 74% or 47.1%, respectively. Also in an in vivo model, L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 was colonized in mice intestines which were disrupted by ampicillin treatment. Its proliferation in the mice intestines reduced abnormal salmonella growth from $10^9CFU/g$ feces to $10^5CFU/g$ feces as an indigenous level. The results obtained in this study suggest that L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 may be a potential probiotic strain.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.307-316
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• 2015

Although the use of CAD and CAM technologies has been broadly adopted by architecture-engineering- construction-facility management (AEC/FM) industry as the means of producing complex forms, there are still remained issues such as reducing cost, and enhancing quality and manufacturability. In this paper, to resolve given issues, we suggest a process of rationalization in digital architecture design and fabrication as an integrated approach. The rationalization, which is usually used as the term related with the skin panel of free-form architecture, is a process of re-designing a digital model to meet the requirements of manufacturing considering the gap with an original designs. Thus we classified this process and conducted a case study of fabricated models as an exploratory study. As the result, we found that each phase is connected with other phases with the circulation of information and rationalization process can be determined as the circulative process which re-designs digital model by minimally deviating from the original design based on the information deducted from analysis of inter-compatability of software and requirement of hardware.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2007

The MH21 Research Consortium has conducted a high-resolution 3D seismic survey and a seafloor geochemical survey, to explore methane hydrate reservoirs in the eastern Nankai Trough, offshore Japan. Excellent geological information about shallow formations was obtained from the high-resolution 3D seismic survey, which was designed to image the shallow formations where methane hydrates exist. The information is useful in constructing a geological and geochemical model, and especially to understand the complex geology of seafloor, including geochemical manifestations and the structure of migration conduits for methane gas or methane-bearing fluid. By comparing methane seep sites observed by submersibles with seismic sections, some significant relationships between methane hydrate reservoirs, free gas accumulations below the seafloor, and seafloor manifestations are recognised. Bathymetric charts and seafloor reflection amplitude maps, constructed from seismic reflections from the seafloor, are also useful in understanding the relationships over a vast area. A new geochemical seafloor survey targeted by these maps is required. The relationships between methane hydrate reservoirs and seafloor manifestations are becoming clearer from interpretation of high-resolution 3D seismic data. The MH21 Research Consortium will continue to conduct seafloor geochemical surveys based on the geological and geochemical model constructed from high-resolution 3D seismic data analysis. In this paper, we introduce a basis for exploration of methane hydrate reservoirs in Japan by fusion of 3D seismic exploration and seafloor geochemical surveys.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.15-35
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• 2015

Objectives This study was performed to investigate the effects of Bujasasim-tang ethanol extract (BST) on oxidative stress, inflammation and osteoarthritic rat model. Methods To ensure safety of BST, heavy metal levels were measured and cytotoxicity test was done. In vitro, To evaluate antioxidative effects of BST, total phenolic contents, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured. Also, to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of BST treated group, total nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) levels were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo, We injected MIA $50{\mu}l$ (60 mg/ml) into knee joints of rats to induce osteoarthritis. Rats were divided into total 3 groups (normal, control, BST treated group, each n=7). Normal group was not treated at all without inducing osteoarthritis and taken normal diet. Control group was induced osteoarthritis by MIA and taken with 2 ml of distilled water once a day for 4 weeks. BST treated group was induced osteoarthritis by MIA and taken BST 2 ml (200 mg/kg/mouse) once a day for 4 weeks. We evaluated dynamic weight bearing with the Incapacitance Test Meter. At the end of experiment, the rats were sacrificed to observe the functions of liver and kidney, changes of WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte levels in blood, to evaluate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tissue inhibitor of metallopreteinases-1 (TIMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), leukotriene $B_4$ ($LTB_4$) within serum. We observed change of articular structures by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E), safranin-O staining method and measured amount of cartilage by micro CT-arthrography. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired student's t-test with significance level at p<0.05 in SPSS 11.0 for windows. Results 1. Safety of the BST was identified. 2. AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine levels of BST treated group were within normal limit. In vitro, 1. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities of BST showed dose-dependent increase. 2. ROS production were significantly decreased. 3. Total nitric oxide (NO) and IL-$1{\beta}$ production were decreased. 4. IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production were significantly decreased. In vivo, 1. Weight bearing ability was significantly increased. 2. WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte levels in blood were decreased. 3. IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in serum were significantly decreased. and the IL-6 level was decreased. 4. TIMP-1, MMP-9, $LTB_4$, $PGE_2$ levels in serum were significantly decreased. 5. Cartilage volume of BST treated group was significantly increased. Also changes of cartilage, synovial membrane, fibrous tissue were suppressed. Conclusions The results obtained in this study Bujasasim-tang have effects of antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, relieve pain and protection of cartilage. Therefore we expect that Bujasasim-tang is effective treatment for osteoarthritis.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.121-133
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• 2013

Defect-free transfer service on the Next-generation wireless network extensive roaming mobile node (MN) to provide efficient mobility management has become very important. MIPv6(Mobility IPv6) is one of mobility management scheme proposed by IETF(Internet Engineering Task Force), and IPv6-based mobility management techniques have been developed in various forms. One of each management techniques, IPv6-based mobility management techniques for PMIPv6 (MIPv6) system to improve the performance of a variety of F-PMIPv6 (Fast Handover for Proxy MIPv6) is proposed. However, the F-PMIPv6 is cannot be excellent than PMIPv6 in all scenarios. Therefor, to select a proper mobility management scheme between PMIPv6 and F-PMIPv6 becomes an interesting issue, for its potenrials in enhancing the capacity and scalability of the system. In this paper, we develop an analytical model to analyze the applicability of PMIPv6 and F-PMIPv6. Based on this model, we design an Secure Smart Mobility Support(SSM) scheme that selects the better alternative between PMIPv6 and F-PMIPv6 for a user according to its changing mobility and service characteristics. When F-PMIPv6 is adopted, SSM chooses the best mobility anchor point and regional size to optimize the system performance. Numerical results illustrate the impact of some key parameters on the applicability of PMIPv6 and F-PMIPv6. Finally, SSM has proven even better result than PMIPv6 and F-PMIPv6.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to examine nutrition problems and causes/contributing risk factors. Methods: This study was conducted using data 1,863 adults visited Asan health screening & promotion center located in Seoul, Korea during May to June of 2013. We used Nutrition Care Process Model developed by the International Dietetics & Nutrition Terminology (IDNT). Results: The most frequent nutrition problem in male subjects was excessive alcohol intake. Men in fifties showed the highest rate of excessive alcohol intake among the age groups examined (22.4%). By comparison, the most frequent nutrition problem in women was inadequate protein intake. Women in fifties exhibited the highest rate of inadequate protein intake (22.5%). The most common contributing factors for these observations were a low preference for dairy products followed by high preference for alcohol and a deficit in food-and nutrition-related knowledge, regardless of the sex and age. The most common nutrition problem observed among the group diagnosed with hyperglycemia or hypertriglyceridemia or hyperuricemia or fatty liver was excessive alcohol intake (p < 0.001), whereas the group diagnosed with hyperglycemia or hypercholesterolemia showed significantly higher rate of inappropriate intake of carbohydrate (fructose) compared to the group not diagnosed with such disease conditions (p < 0.05). The group diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia and fatty liver showed significantly higher occurrence of inappropriate intake of fat (saturated fat) than the group free of such diseases (p < 0.001). The osteopenia group showed higher rate of inadequate protein intake (p < 0.001) and the fatty liver group with excessive energy intake (p < 0.001). Overall, the results suggest that there is a significant relationship between nutrition problems and health conditions found in groups diagnosed with a diverse array of medical conditions. Conclusions: Therefore, we strongly suggest that dieticians should implement nutrition interventions with people visiting health screening & promotion center based on nutrition problems and the contributing factors diagnosed by dietitions in order to prevent chronic diseases in this population.