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Efficacy of Darbepoetin alfa in Anemia Developed during Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer (폐암 환자에서 항암화학치료 중 발생한 빈혈에 대한 Darbepoetin alfa의 효과)

  • Ban, Hee-Jung;Chi, Su-Young;Park, Cheol-Kyu;Kim, Eun-Young;Kim, Yoon-Hee;Kim, Kyu-Sik;Ju, Jin-Young;Kwon, Yong-Soo;Oh, In-Jae;Kim, Yu-Il;Lim, Sung-Chul;Kim, Young-Chul
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.66 no.2
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    • pp.104-109
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    • 2009
  • Background: Anemia is quite common in lung cancer patients and known to decrease the quality of life. Darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating protein approved for administration to cancer patients. This study examined the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa in lung cancer patients with a hemoglobin concentration <10 g/dl during chemotherapy. Methods: Lung cancer patients (n=178) received darbepoetin alfa at doses of 1.91 ${\mu}g/kg$ per week until the hemoglobin concentration increased to >10 g/dl. The efficacy and safety were measured by comparing the hemoglobin concentration and assessing the adverse events. Results: After chemotherapy, the hemoglobin concentration decreased to 9.03${\pm}$0.64 g/dl. With the darbepoetin alfa treatment, the hemoglobin concentration increased to 10.09${\pm}$1.17 g/dl after 4 weeks reaching a peak hemoglobin concentration of 10.45${\pm}$1.18 g/dl. The changes in hemoglobin after 4 and 8 weeks with treatment were 1.08${\pm}$1.24 g/dl and 1.38${\pm}$1.59 g/dl (p<0.01). At least a 1 g/dl or more increase in hemoglobin was observed in 62.4% of patients. There were no serious adverse effects except for some mild reactions. Conclusion: Darbepoetin alfa administered to lung cancer patients appears to be an effective, well-tolerated treatment for chemotherapy induced anemia.

Measurement of competency through self study in basic nursing lab. practice focused on cleansing enema (기본간호학 실습에 있어 자가학습을 통한 능숙도 측정 - 배변관장을 중심으로 -)

  • Ko Il-Sun
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.532-543
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    • 1999
  • This study was conducted to provide the basic data necessary for the improvement of the teaching method for basic nursing practice as well as the effectiveness of the practice by examining the students' competency in cleansing enema after doing the self study instead of the traditional education. To examine the competency in cleansing enema after the self study, this study is an one group pretest-posttest design that subjects did the enema practice through the self study. The subjects were 89 sophomore students at Y University. College of Nursing. In basic nursing lab practice class, cleansing enema self study module was given to the students which was developed by the researcher based on the literature review and asked them to finish doing the pre study and checking the self study evaluation criteria after reading the goal, learning activities and theoretical guideline. After watching the video tape, students practiced the process in the module by themselves. For the competency in cleansing enema. repeated autonomous practices were done during the open lab other than the regular class. Whenever the practice was done, the frequency and time were measure and documented. When the student felt confident through repeated practices, the competency was evaluated by the researcher and two assistants based on the evaluation criteria. And the process was repeated till the student could perform all the items on evaluation criteria completely. The data were collected for 42 days from Oct. 15 to Nov. 26 in 1996. Collected data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, Pearson correlation coefficient and variance analysis. The results are summarized as follows : 1. 43.2% of the students were favorable to nursing and 63.6% like lecture, but 71.6% like practice. So they were more interested in practice than in lecture. 2. 62.3% of the students scored high in written test, 97.8% scored high in practice. So the practice score was better. 3. The frequency of repeated practice to pass the test ranged from 1 to 4 and the average is 2.2. 4. The average time needed in preparation and the performance was nearly the same regardless of the frequency. It took 5 to 38 minutes for those who passed the test after practicing once and the average was 16 minutes. 5 to 60 minutes were taken for those who practiced twice to pass the test and the average was 21 minutes. Those who passed the test after three practices needed 8 to 30 minutes and the average was 15 minutes, which was similar to the time that the students who passed the test for the first trial. Only one student passed the test after 4 practices and it took 10 minutes. 5. 64% of the students agreed that the context and the content of the module were appropriate for the self study and 68.2% were satisfied. And 71.9% said that the module helped them to practice the enema self study 6. Though only 42% of the students were satisfied with the video. 50.6% said that it was helpful for the self study. 7. 52.3% of the students were satisfied with the self study method, and 86.6% obtained self-confidence when performing the enema. 8. The lower the student's practice score was, the more practices were needed for them to pass the test(r=-.213, P<.05). As a result, for performing the enema practice competently, two or more practice opportunities were needed to be given. And it is possible to obtain the less complex nursing skills through the self study, when enough learning resources and assistance such as learning guidance or video tapes are provided. Based on this study. I want to suggest that. 1. There must be college policy that can support the new method instead of the traditional learning method for the students to attain the proficiency in basic nursing skills. 2. The assistant materials should be developed as soon as possible to promote the self study of basic nursing skills.

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A Study on the Continuing Education of Dental Technicians (치과기공사의 보수교육에 관한 연구(I) -보수교육 실태와 인식을 중심으로 -)

  • Moon, Je-Hyuk
    • Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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    • v.22 no.1
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    • pp.179-198
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    • 2000
  • Since dental prosthesis is made possible only when dental technicians give themselves to the study of knowledge and the acquisition of updated skills, continuing education is of great importance in that it makes up for the efforts of dental technicians. Accordingly, continuing education relates to a system designed to contribute to the enhancement of the talents of dental technicians and the dental health of the nation. Specialized knowledge and information may work as the best weapon to preserve their jbs. This is true of this modern society where no one can expecth to survive without acquiring knowledge and information constantly for work is getting more classified and more divirsifide. This paper is dedicated to take a look at the current condition of the continuing education of dental technicians and to come up with measure to make general evaluation and to improve continuing education. This research resorts to 609 questionnaires among 6433 copies save unfaithfully responded 34 copos with 6.431 dental technicians as the subjects enrolled in the Dental technician Association. The collected questionnaires consist of 365 dental technicians living in Seoul and of 244 ones, Which account for 11.8 percent of dental technicians enrolled in the association. Because dental technicians live more in local areas than Seoul, the generalization of this survey leaves something to be desired. I have come up with the following findings. 1. 6,431 dental technicians, or 36.3 percent of an total of 14,956 licensed dental technicians, were admitted as numbers of the Dental Tachnician Association as of October 31, 1999. In the '98 continuing education. 4,141 dental technicians among 4,711 dental technicians got relevant training, and in the '99 continuing education, 4,075 technicians, or 75.9 percent of 5,365 technicians got relevant training while 1,290 technicians or 24.2 percent, fail to get relevant training. 2. The survey has it that 38.1 percent of dental technicians are ignorant of the laws on continuing education, and that technicians staying in local communities(146 persons, or 61.6%) take more part in education than those living in the capital of Korea(159 persons, or 146%), and that the older they are, the more money they earn, the more carrer they have, the higher position they hold, the more part they take in education 3. According to the survey, those who have the experience of getting training more than three times account for 52 persons(16.8%) in Seoul and 47 persons(22.4%) in local districts(p<0.01). In terms of sanctions in relation to continuing education, 26 dental technicians(4.6%) say that they have ever gotten sanctions, and 533 dental technicians(95.4%) say that they haven't. And those who were absent from continuing education(72 technicians : 13.51%) didn't get any sanction. 4. In terms of the degree of understanding continuing education, local technicians(46.8% : 110 persons) have a higher understanding of continuing education than their countparts staying in Seoul(36.0% : 130). Continuing education is not the ultimate goal itself. It should be changed to motivate those who get education to be willing to take part in contunuing education, and to help dental technicians in a practical and specific way. And the branch societies should be developde to engage in more specialized and classified expert fields. Of course, the curriculum should be so selected that the conceptions of dental technicians may be reflected to the maximum extent, and the ultimate effores should be made to effect diversity in the ways of educational methods and to perfect the preparation of continuing education on the part of instructors. Regulations should be established in relation to continuing education with a veiew to enhancing the participation of continuing education and its effectiveness. The supervision of the Ministry of Health and Welfare is of great importance in this context. The regulation of continuing education is not administrative regulation, but the expression of national will to guarantee the medical service of the nation at highest level. Therefore, it is necessary that the Ministry of Health and Welfare should change their understanding of the needs for the continuing education of dental experts, and that the expertise of government employees in charge of continuing education should be expanded. It goes without saying that the government should suppory continuing education in a financial way so as to supply the person in charge of public welfare and control the quality of national medicine.

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Selection for Duration of Fertility and Mule Duck White Plumage Colour in a Synthetic Strain of Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

  • Liu, H.C.;Huang, J.F.;Lee, S.R.;Liu, H.L.;Hsieh, C.H.;Huang, C.W.;Huang, M.C.;Tai, C.;Poivey, J.P.;Rouvier, R.;Cheng, Y.S.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.28 no.5
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    • pp.605-611
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    • 2015
  • A synthetic strain of ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was developed by introducing genes for long duration of fertility to be used as mother of mule ducklings and a seven-generation selection experiment was conducted to increase the number of fertile eggs after a single artificial insemination (AI) with pooled Muscovy semen. Reciprocal crossbreeding between Brown Tsaiya LRI-2 (with long duration of fertility) and Pekin L-201 (with white plumage mule ducklings) ducks produced the G0. Then G1 were intercrossed to produce G2 and so on for the following generations. Each female duck was inseminated 3 times, at 26, 29, and 32 weeks of age. The eggs were collected for 14 days from day 2 after AI. Individual data regarding the number of incubated eggs (Ie), the number of fertile eggs at candling at day 7 of incubation (F), the total number of dead embryos (M), the maximum duration of fertility (Dm) and the number of hatched mule ducklings (H) with plumage colour were recorded. The selection criterion was the breeding values of the best linear unbiased prediction animal model for F. The results show high percentage of exhibited heterosis in G2 for traits to improve (19.1% for F and 12.9% for H); F with a value of 5.92 (vs 3.74 in the Pekin L-201) was improved in the G2. Heritabilities were found to be low for Ie ($h^2=0.07{\pm}0.03$) and M ($h^2=0.07{\pm}0.01$), moderately low for Dm ($h^2=0.13{\pm}0.02$), of medium values for H ($h^2=0.20{\pm}0.03$) and F ($h^2=0.23{\pm}0.03$). High and favourable genetic correlations existed between F and Dm ($r_g=0.93$), between F and H ($r_g=0.97$) and between Dm and H ($r_g=0.90$). The selection experiment showed a positive trend for phenotypic values of F (6.38 fertile eggs in G10 of synthetic strain vs 5.59 eggs in G4, and 3.74 eggs in Pekin L-201), with correlated response for increasing H (5.73 ducklings in G10 vs 4.86 in G4, and 3.09 ducklings in Pekin L-201) and maximum duration of the fertile period without increasing the embryo mortality rate. The average predicted genetic response for F was 40% of genetic standard deviation per generation of selection. The mule ducklings' feather colour also was improved. It was concluded that this study provided results for a better understanding of the genetics of the duration of fertility traits in the common female duck bred for mule and that the selection of a synthetic strain was effective method of improvement.

Soft tissue changes associated with advancement genioplasty in skeletal class III individuals receiving mandibular set-back surgery (골격성 III급 부정교합자에서 전진이부성헝술을 동반한 하악 후퇴술 후 연조직 외형의 변화)

  • Kim, Keun-Ryoung;Kim, Seong-Sik;Son, Woo-Sung;Park, Soo-Byung
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.104-120
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the hard and soft tissue changes associated with mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy and genioplasty. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 40 patients who underwent either bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular setback (BSSO group, n = 20) or in combination with advancement genioplasty (Genio group, n = 20). Lateral radiographs, were taken before and immediately after surgery, and at least 6 months after surgery. Results: Comparing hard and soft tissue changes between the BSSO group and Genio group, there were significant differences in the lower incisor, soft tissue B point (B'), and soft tissue Pogonion (Pg') (p < 0.5). The mean ratio of hard and soft tissue changes for B/B', Pg/Pg', and Menton/soft tissue Menton after surgery in the BSSO group was 0.997, 0.965, and 1.022 respectively, and 0.824, 0.602, and 0.887 respectively in the genio group. Significant differences were found between the two groups. There were significant differences in lip thickness (B-B', Pg-Pg') in the Genioplasty group between pre and postsurgery, but not in the BSSO group. Pogonion to Labrale inferior and B' had a correlation coefficient of 0.833, 0.922, respectively for the BSSO group, and 0.775, 0.799 for the Genio group. Conclusions: The results indicate that there is a significant difference between bilateral sagittal split osteotomy with or without genioplasty in the lower facial esthetics values. The combination of mandibular setback and genioplasty had a smaller change in soft tissue thickness of the symphysis area after surgery than that of mandibular setback only.

The Decision of Voiding Cystourethrography in Children with Urinary Tract Infection (소아 요로감염에서 배뇨성 방광 요도 조영술의 결정)

  • Kim, Dong-Woon;Choi, Eung-Sang;Lim, In-Seok
    • Childhood Kidney Diseases
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.203-211
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    • 2007
  • Purpose : We attempted to compare the independent factors such as age, sex, C-reactive protein(CRP), and white blood cell count(WBC) in children with radiologic studies and assess the necessity of performing voiding cystourethrography(VCUG). Method : 98 children who have been diagnosed their first time febrile urinary tract infection from Janurary 2002 to Januray 2005 were enrolled. In all patient, the duration of fever which occurred before and after treatment was recorded, and CRP, WBC, $^{99m}Tc$-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid($^{99m}Tc$-DMSA) renal scans, renal ultrasound and VCUG were analyzed. Results : Of the 98 children diagnosed with urinary tract infection(UTI), 52 were male and 46 were female. 18 had abnormalities in VCUG, 17 had abnormalities in kidney ultrasound, and 20 had partial defects or diffuse uptake decrease in $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scans. There were no significant relationship between incidence of radiologic abnormalities and age. The risk of renal scar was significantly higher in children who had a longer febrile period before treatment than in those with shorter period. Both CRP and WBC were significantly elevated in children with the radiological abnormalities. A positive of $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scans and renal ultrasound were highly associated with vesicoureteral reflux(VUR). Conclusion : If there are abnormalities in the kidney ultrasound and $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scan of a child with initial UTI, a VCUG is recommended. Even in cases without abnormal findings in $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scan and renal ultrasound, clinical data such as CRP and WBC should be assessed, and VCUG should be Performed for the undetected VUR.

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Studies on canine babesiosis in Korea I. In vitro isolation and antigenic properties of Babesia gibsoni (개 바베시아병에 관한 연구 I. Babesia gibsoni의 시험관내 분리와 항원성상에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Ho-kweon;Suh, Myung-deuk
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.36 no.3
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    • pp.681-692
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    • 1996
  • The present study was conducted to isolate Babesia gibsoni by culture method of the microaerophilous stationary phase(MASP) and analyse the antigenic properties of the parasite by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot. The results obtained were summarized as follows. The protozoan parasite Babesia gibsoni multiplied in canine erythrocytes in RPMI 1640 medium(pH7.0) containing 20 40% normal canine serum under the MASP condition of 5% CO2 and 95% air at $37^{\circ}C$ incubator. The levels of parasitaemia in the erythrocytes were shown more higher by exchanging the medium at 24 hours interval. Under the above condition of MASP, the percentage of parasitized erythrocytes(PPE) after incubation for 8 days increased about 14 times more than that in the initiation of the 1% infected canine erythrocyte culture. The parasites were purely isolated from the MASP culture of red blood cells collected from dogs infected with Babesia gibsoni naturally or artificially. Among the total of 36 canine(Pit-bullterier) blood samples the parasites were isolated from 17 cases(47.2%) in the MASP culture while the parasites were detected from 20 cases(56%) and 12 cases(33.3%), respectively, by indirect fluorescent antibody(IFA) test and direct light microscopy(DLM). On the other hand, Babesia gibsoni was isolated by MASP culture from 15 cases(75%) and 11 cases(92%) of positive cases of IFA and DLM, respectively. In the analysis of the erythrocytic merozoite(AEOM) antigen derived from infected dog approximately 11 antigenic bands in molecular weight of 130, 120, 97.4, 92, 80, 52, 50, 42, 36, 30 and 29 KDa were observed on SDS-PAGE. Antigenic bands in the endoerythrocytic merozoite(CEOM) antigen derived from infected erythrocyte (sediment) in MASP culture were much similar to those of AEOM bands. In the exoerythrocytic merozoite(CEEM) antigen derived from supernatant of the infected erythrocyte culture approximately 20 antigenic bands were observed and the molecular weight of the major bands among these were 140, 120, 114, 105, 96, 93, 92, 80, 60, 52, 50, 38, 36, 30, 24, 18.5 and 16 KDa. In the protein patterns of AEOM and CEOM antigen by immunoblot 15 bands were observed and these patterns were much similar between each other. The molecular weight of the major bands in the both antigens were 130, 120, 80, 60, 52, 50, 42, 30, 29, 18.5 and 16 KDa. Approximately 21 bands were observed in CEEM antigen and the molecular weight of the major bands were 140, 120, 96, 92, 85, 80, 76, 60, 52, 50, 37, 30, 24, 16 and 15 KDa. The specific antigenic bands in the artificially infected dogs were firstly observed at 3 weeks afrer inoculation of infected blood and these antigenic bands were maintained up to 18 months after inoculation. In the immunoblot of the sera of the splenectomized dogs the specific antigenic bands with the molecular weight of 93 KDa and 52 KDa, respectively, were observed weakly comparing to those of non-splenectomized dog. In immunoblot of the sera collected from the naturally infected dogs the antigenic bands were observed as same as those of artificially infected dogs while antigenic band of 29 KDa in some individual dog showed strongly. In comparison of immunoblot of the sera collected from dogs non-treated and treated with diminazene aceturate(7mg/kg, IM) after artificial infection no differences of antigenic bands were observed. In analysis of antigenic bands by digoxigenin glycan/protein double labeling, antigenic bands in the molecular weight of 106, 60 58, 36, 30 and 29 KDa were determined as glycoproteins.

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Destabilization of TNF-α mRNA by Rapamycin

  • Park, Jong-Woo;Jeon, Ye-Ji;Lee, Jae-Cheol;Ahn, So-Ra;Ha, Shin-Won;Bang, So-Young;Park, Eun-Kyung;Yi, Sang-Ah;Lee, Min-Gyu;Han, Jeung-Whan
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.43-49
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    • 2012
  • Stimulation of mast cells through the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc${\varepsilon}$RI) induces degranulation, lipid mediator release, and cytokine secretion leading to allergic reactions. Although various signaling pathways have been characterized to be involved in the Fc${\varepsilon}$RI-mediated responses, little is known about the precious mechanism for the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in mast cells. Here, we report that rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), reduces the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. IgE or specific antigen stimulation of RBL-2H3 cells increases the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and activates various signaling molecules including S6K1, Akt and p38 MAPK. Rapamycin specifically inhibits antigeninduced TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA level, while other kinase inhibitors have no effect on TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA level. These data indicate that mTOR signaling pathway is the main regulation mechanism for antigen-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ expression. TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA stability analysis using reporter construct containing TNF-${\alpha}$ adenylate/uridylate-rich elements (AREs) shows that rapamycin destabilizes TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA via regulating the AU-rich element of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA. The antigen-induced activation of S6K1 is inhibited by specific kinase inhibitors including mTOR, PI3K, PKC and $Ca^{2+}$chelator inhibitor, while TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA level is reduced only by rapamycin treatment. These data suggest that the effects of rapamycin on the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA are not mediated by S6K1 but regulated by mTOR. Taken together, our results reveal that mTOR signaling pathway is a novel regulation mechanism for antigen-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ expression in RBL-2H3 cells.

Morphological and Anatomical Response of Rice and Barnyardgrass to Herbicides under Various Cropping Patterns - I. Response to Pyrazolate (재배양식(栽培樣式)에 따른 수종(數種) 제초제(除草劑)에 대한 벼와 피의 해부형태적(解剖形態的) 반응차이(反應差異) - I. Pyrazolate에 대한 반응차이(反應差異))

  • Chon, S.U.;Guh, J.O.;Kuk, Y.I.
    • Korean Journal of Weed Science
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.30-38
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    • 1995
  • Soil-applied pre-emergence herbicide, pyrazolate(4-(2, 4-dichlorobenzoyl)-1, 3-dimethyl pyrazol-5-yl-p-toluene sulphonate) induced, twist effect of shoots of barnyardgrass under dry conditions, and etiolated leaf and stem of that under water condition. Plant height and root length of rice broadcast on soil surface were similar to the untreated control, but plant height of rice drilled in soil was more inhibited than root length as compared with the untreated control, while development of barnyardgrass seedling was severely inhibited at 20 days after application. The inhibition rate was much higher under water condition than under dry condition, but difference in rice and barnyardgrass did not abserve. However, growth of transplanted rice shown to increase to the untreated control. Shoot and root fresh weight of rice broadcast on soil surface was increase as compared with the untreated control, and that of rice drilled in soil was not affected whereas that of barnyardgrass was severely inhibited by 42% and 41%, respectively. Under dry condition at 20 days after pyrazolate application while root growth of rice broadcast on soil surface under water condition was deadly inhibited and development of barnyardgrass was almost completely inhibited. On the other hand, microscopic studies showed that constriction of mesophyll cell by destruction of chloroplast of barnyardgrass were occurred only under dry condition, whereas damage of rice and barnyardgrass under water and transplanting condition were not observed. Anatomical change in the meristernatic region of rice and barnyardgrass was not occurred, and similar to intact plant regardless of cropping patterns.

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Interobserver Reproducibility of Segmental Scoring of $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI Myocardial SPECT ($^{99m}Tc$-MIBI 심근 SPECT의 분절 육안 분석시 판독자간의 일치도)

  • Yeo, Jeong-Seok;Lee, Dong-Soo;Lee, Kyung-Han;Kim, Jong-Ho;Shon, Kyung-Soo;Cho, Sung-Wook;Kwark, Cheol-Eun;Chung, June-Key;Lee, Myung-Chul;Seo, Jeong-Don;Koh, Chang-Soon
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.317-325
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    • 1994
  • The accuracy of dipyridamole stress/rest $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI myocardial imaging for detection of ischemia depends on reproducible image interpretation. To evaluate the reproducibility of visual assessment, agreement in interpretation among two independent observers, blind-ed to clinical data, was evaluated in SPECT images of 131 patients (94 males, 38 females; mean age $58{\pm}7yr$) with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent both dipyridamole stress/rest $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI myocardial SPECT and coronary angiography. The left ventricle was divided into twenty-nine segments in stress and rest SPECT images and each segment was visually graded according to a five-point scale (segmental score : 0=normal, 1=equivocal, 2=mild decrease, 3=severe decrease and 4=absent uptake). Overall concordance of segmental scoring between the two observers was 80%. The Pear-son's correlation coefficient (r) of the segmental scores for stress and rest images were 0.67 and 0.65, respectively, while the difference in score between the two images showed a correlation of 0.45 (all p<0.001). Agreement between two observers in final SPECT diagnosis as absence or presence of disease was 93%. The degree of agreement in segmental scoring showed no difference between patients with or without agreement as to the presence of disease. Therefore it appeared that cases with inconcordant diagnosis between the 2 observers were mainly due to a difference in individual threshold for interpretating the significance of a particular decreased uptake area rather than to a difference in perceiving the degree of the hypoactivity Thus, establishment of individual optimum thresholds in visual interpretation of myocardial SPECT may be helpful to improve reproducibility and accuracy of scan diagnosis.

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