• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.777-786
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• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementary Blended essential oil(CRINA$^{\circledR}$) on the performance, nutrient availability, fatty acid composition of leg muscle, small intestinal microflora and blood parameters in broiler chickens. One thousand unsexed day-old broiler chickens were assigned to five treatments : control(T1), 5ppm avilamycin(starter diet) & 5ppm flavomycin(grower diet) T2, 5ppm avilamycin(starter diet) & 50ppm CRINA$^{\circledR}$(grower diet) T3, 50ppm CRINA$^{\circledR}$(starter & grower diet) T4, 50ppm CRINA$^{\circledR}$+ 500ppm lactic acid$^{\circledR}$ (starter & grower diet) T5. Each treatment had four replications of 50 birds each. Growth performance was significantly improved by dietary supplements(T2-T5). There were no significant differences among treatment T2, T3, T4 and T5. Feed intake was not significantly different among treatments. Dietary supplementation of CRINA$^{\circledR}$(T3, T4, T5) resulted in significant(p〈0.05) improvement in feed/gain(F/G) during finishing period (4-5weeks). The birds fed CRINA$^{\circledR}$ supplemented diet(T4) showed significantly(p〈0.05) higher availability of crude fat, methionine and methionine + cystine than those fed antibiotics supplemented diet(T2). Mortality was not significantly affected by treatments. The colony forming unit(CFU) of E.coli in small intestinal content was significantly lower in antibiotics & CRINA$^{\circledR}$(T3) compared to CRINA$^{\circledR}$ treatment(T4)(P〈0.05). CFU of Cl. perfringens was low in CRINA$^{\circledR}$(T4) but not different significantly with other treatments. Serum triglyceride level of birds fed CRINA$^{\circledR}$ + lactic acid diet(T5) was significantly lower(p〈0.05) than those fed antibiotics supplemented diet(T2). Cholesterol level of the birds fed antibiotics(T2) or CRINA$^{\circledR}$ + lactic acid supplemented diet(T5) was significantly higher(p〈0.05) than other treatments. HDL level of birds fed control diet was significantly lower(p〈0.05) than that of others. The levels of serum IgG were not significantly different among treatments. Major fatty acids composition of leg muscle fat was significantly influenced by treatments. Control group showed significantly higher palmitic acid(C$_{16:0}$) and steraric acid(C$_{18:0}$) content than other treatments(p〈0.05). Content of oleic acid(C$_{18:1}$), however, was significantly lower in the control than others treatments. Content of linolenic acid(C$_{18:3}$) was significantly higher in CRINA$^{\circledR}$+ lactic acid(T5) than antibiotics & CRINA$^{\circledR}$(T3) treatments. Total saturated fatty acids content was higher and total unsaturated fatty acids were lower in the leg muscle fat of the control than that of other treatments. It is concluded that CRINA$^{\circledR}$ supplementation improved growth rate and F/G ratio in broilers. The combination of CRINA$^{\circledR}$ with either antibiotics or lactic acid did not show any additive or synergistic effects in broiler chickens .

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-32
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• 2018

In addition to stakeholders including managers, employees, creditors, and investors of bankrupt companies, corporate defaults have a ripple effect on the local and national economy. Before the Asian financial crisis, the Korean government only analyzed SMEs and tried to improve the forecasting power of a default prediction model, rather than developing various corporate default models. As a result, even large corporations called 'chaebol enterprises' become bankrupt. Even after that, the analysis of past corporate defaults has been focused on specific variables, and when the government restructured immediately after the global financial crisis, they only focused on certain main variables such as 'debt ratio'. A multifaceted study of corporate default prediction models is essential to ensure diverse interests, to avoid situations like the 'Lehman Brothers Case' of the global financial crisis, to avoid total collapse in a single moment. The key variables used in corporate defaults vary over time. This is confirmed by Beaver (1967, 1968) and Altman's (1968) analysis that Deakins'(1972) study shows that the major factors affecting corporate failure have changed. In Grice's (2001) study, the importance of predictive variables was also found through Zmijewski's (1984) and Ohlson's (1980) models. However, the studies that have been carried out in the past use static models. Most of them do not consider the changes that occur in the course of time. Therefore, in order to construct consistent prediction models, it is necessary to compensate the time-dependent bias by means of a time series analysis algorithm reflecting dynamic change. Based on the global financial crisis, which has had a significant impact on Korea, this study is conducted using 10 years of annual corporate data from 2000 to 2009. Data are divided into training data, validation data, and test data respectively, and are divided into 7, 2, and 1 years respectively. In order to construct a consistent bankruptcy model in the flow of time change, we first train a time series deep learning algorithm model using the data before the financial crisis (2000~2006). The parameter tuning of the existing model and the deep learning time series algorithm is conducted with validation data including the financial crisis period (2007~2008). As a result, we construct a model that shows similar pattern to the results of the learning data and shows excellent prediction power. After that, each bankruptcy prediction model is restructured by integrating the learning data and validation data again (2000 ~ 2008), applying the optimal parameters as in the previous validation. Finally, each corporate default prediction model is evaluated and compared using test data (2009) based on the trained models over nine years. Then, the usefulness of the corporate default prediction model based on the deep learning time series algorithm is proved. In addition, by adding the Lasso regression analysis to the existing methods (multiple discriminant analysis, logit model) which select the variables, it is proved that the deep learning time series algorithm model based on the three bundles of variables is useful for robust corporate default prediction. The definition of bankruptcy used is the same as that of Lee (2015). Independent variables include financial information such as financial ratios used in previous studies. Multivariate discriminant analysis, logit model, and Lasso regression model are used to select the optimal variable group. The influence of the Multivariate discriminant analysis model proposed by Altman (1968), the Logit model proposed by Ohlson (1980), the non-time series machine learning algorithms, and the deep learning time series algorithms are compared. In the case of corporate data, there are limitations of 'nonlinear variables', 'multi-collinearity' of variables, and 'lack of data'. While the logit model is nonlinear, the Lasso regression model solves the multi-collinearity problem, and the deep learning time series algorithm using the variable data generation method complements the lack of data. Big Data Technology, a leading technology in the future, is moving from simple human analysis, to automated AI analysis, and finally towards future intertwined AI applications. Although the study of the corporate default prediction model using the time series algorithm is still in its early stages, deep learning algorithm is much faster than regression analysis at corporate default prediction modeling. Also, it is more effective on prediction power. Through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the current government and other overseas governments are working hard to integrate the system in everyday life of their nation and society. Yet the field of deep learning time series research for the financial industry is still insufficient. This is an initial study on deep learning time series algorithm analysis of corporate defaults. Therefore it is hoped that it will be used as a comparative analysis data for non-specialists who start a study combining financial data and deep learning time series algorithm.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2011

The variation of the dissolved inorganic nutrients were investigated four times per year in the costal area of Gunsan, Yellow Sea from 2001 to 2010. Water samples were collected at 10 stations and phsico-chemical parameters were analyzed including water temperature, salinity, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, chlorophyll a and dissolved inorganic nutrients. The average of dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN) for ten years at Gunsan area showed similar concentration between surface and bottom. The average of DIN at surface was 0.421mg/L (0.198~0.846mg/L) and bottom was 0.344mg/L(0.148~0.717mg/L). The highest value of annual average of DIN at surface was 0.846mg/L in 2002 and the lowest value was 0.198mg/L in 2010. The percentage of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate for the average DIN of 10 years showed 27%, 3% and 70% which showed most of DIN was nitrate. Dissolved inorganic phosphate(DIP) for ten years at Gunsan area showed similar concentration between surface and bottom and DIP was decreasing from 2003 to 2010. The average of DIP of 10 years was 0.024mg/L and annual average 0.021mg/L in 2008, 0.007mg/L in 2009 and 0.008mg/L in 2010 which showed decreasing pattern from 2007 to 2010. The average of DIN/DIP ratio from 2002 to 2010 was 6.0(3.2~10.1) at surface and 4.6(2.6~7.0) at bottom. The average value of dissolved inorganic silicate from 2004 to 2010 showed 0.372mg/L at surface layer and 0.352mg/L at bottom layer and was on decreased from 2006 to 2010. The Spearman's correlation analysis was carried out to knowrelation among the salinity and dissolved inorganic nutrients at the surface and bottom layer. The correlation factor of DIN was -0.72, DIP was -0.46 and dissolved inorganic silicate was -0.63 at surface layer and DIN was -0.70, DIP was -0.44 and dissolved inorganic silicate was -0.57 at bottom layer. The dissolved inorganic nutrients at the nearshore of Gunsan was affected from the freshwater discharge of Geum river. Especially, a lot of DIN flowed into the nearshore of Gunsan from Guem river. The concentration of dissolved inorganic nutrients at Gunsan showed high at station 1, 2 and 3 and there was a little concentration differences according to the cruise time. The concentration of dissolved inorganic nutrients showed high value at the station 1, 2, 3 which exist nearshore of Gunsan city and it means these stations mainly affected by Geum river and Gunsan city. The annual average of dissolved inorganic nutrients showed gradually decreased from 2003 to 2010 and we need more research on this conditions.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 1975

Laboratory experiments on the phosphorus adsorption by soil were conducted to evaluate the parameters for determination of phosphorus adsorption capacity of soil, which serve as a basis for establishing the amount of phosphorus required to improve newly reclaimed soil and volcanic ash soil. The calculated Langmuir adsorption maxima varied from 6.2-32.9, 74.7-90.4 and 720-915mg p/100g soil for cultivated soils, non-cultivated soils, and volcanic ash soils respectively. The phosphorus absorption coefficient ranged from 116-179, 161-259 and 1,098-1,205mg p/100g soil for cultivated soils, non-cultivated soils, and volcanic ash soils respectively. The ratio of the phosphorus absorption coefficient to Langmuir adsorption maximum was low in soils of high phosphorus adsorption capacity (1.3-1.5) and high in soils of low phosphorus adsorption capacity (2.2-18.7). Changes in the amount of phosphurus adsorption induced by liming and preaddition of phosphorus were hadly detected by the phosphorus absorption coefficient, which is measured using a test solution with a relatively high phosphorus concentration. The Langmuir adsorption maximum was a more sensitive index of the phosphorus adsorption capacity. The Langmuir adsorption maxima of the non-cultivated soils, which were treated with an amount of calcium hydroxide equivalent to the exchangeable Al and incubated ($25-30^{\circ}C$) for 40 days at field capacity, were lower than the original soils. The change in the adorption maximum on incubation following the liming of soils was insignificant for other soils. The secondary adsorption maximum of soils, which received phosphorus equivalent to the Langmuir adsorption maximum of the limed soils incubated ($25-30^{\circ}C$) for 50 days at held capacity, was 74.5, 5.6 and 23.8% of the primary adsorption maximum for volcanic ash soils, non-cultivated soils, and cultivated soils respectively. The amount of phosphorus adsorbed by soils increased quadratically with the concentration of phosphorus solution added to the soils. The amount of phosphorus adsorbed by 5-g soil samples from 100ml of 100- and 1,000mg p/l solution for the mineral soils and volcanic ash soils respectively was found to be close to the Langmuir adsorption maximum. The amount of the phosphorus adsorbed at these concentrations is defined as a saturation adsorption maximum and proposed as a new parameter for the phosphorus adsorption capacity of the soil. The evaluation of the phosphorus adsorption capacity by the saturation adsorption maximum is regarded as a more practical method in that it obviates the need for the various concentrations used for the determination of the Langmuir adsorption maximum.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2008

Purpose: For the first time, a nationwide survey of the Patterns of Care Study(PCS) for the various radiotherapy treatments of esophageal cancer was carried out in South Korea. In order to observe the different parameters, as well as offer a solid cooperative system, we compared the Korean results with those observed in the United States(US) and Japan. Materials and Methods: Two hundreds forty-six esophageal cancer patients from 21 institutions were enrolled in the South Korean study. The patients received radiation theraphy(RT) from 1998 to 1999. In order to compare these results with those from the United States, a published study by Suntharalingam, which included 414 patients[treated by Radiotherapy(RT)] from 59 institutions between 1996 and 1999 was chosen. In order to compare the South Korean with the Japanese data, we choose two different studies. The results published by Gomi were selected as the surgery group, in which 220 esophageal cancer patients were analyzed from 76 facilities. The patients underwent surgery and received RT with or without chemotherapy between 1998 and 2001. The non-surgery group originated from a study by Murakami, in which 385 patients were treated either by RT alone or RT with chemotherapy, but no surgery, between 1999 and 2001. Results: The median age of enrolled patients was highest in the Japanese non-surgery group(71 years old). The gender ratio was approximately 9:1(male:female) in both the Korean and Japanese studies, whereas females made up 23.1% of the study population in the US study. Adenocarcinoma outnumbered squamous cell carcinoma in the US study, whereas squamous cell carcinoma was more prevalent both the Korean and Japanese studies(Korea 96.3%, Japan 98%). An esophagogram, endoscopy, and chest CT scan were the main modalities of diagnostic evaluation used in all three countries. The US and Japan used the abdominal CT scan more frequently than the abdominal ultrasonography. Radiotherapy alone treatment was most rarely used in the US study(9.5%), compared to the Korean(23.2%) and Japanese(39%) studies. The combination of the three modalities(Surgery+RT+Chemotherapy) was performed least often in Korea(11.8%) compared to the Japanese(49.5%) and US(32.8%) studies. Chemotherapy(89%) and chemotherapy with concurrent chemoradiotherapy(97%) was most frequently used in the US study. Fluorouracil(5-FU) and Cisplatin were the most preferred drug treatments used in all three countries. The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy in the US study, as compared to 55.8 Gy in the Korean study regardless of whether an operation was performed. However, in Japan, different median doses were delivered for the surgery(48 Gy) and non-surgery groups(60 Gy). Conclusion: Although some aspects of the evaluation of esophageal cancer and its various treatment modalities were heterogeneous among the three countries surveyed, we found no remarkable differences in the RT dose or technique, which includes the number of portals and energy beams.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.642-652
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• 2008

The aim of our research was to apply experimental design methodology in the optimization condition of Photo-Fenton oxidation of the residual livestock wastewater after the coagulation process. The reactions of Photo-Fenton oxidation were mathematically described as a function of parameters amount of Fe(II)($x_1$), $H_2O_2(x_2)$ and pH($x_3$) being modeled by the use of the Box-Behnken method, which was used for fitting 2nd order response surface models and was alternative to central composite designs. The application of RSM using the Box-Behnken method yielded the following regression equation, which is an empirical relationship between the removal(%) of livestock wastewater and test variables in coded unit: Y = 79.3 + 15.61x$_1$ - 7.31x$_2$ - 4.26x$_3$ - 18x$_1{^2}$ - 10x$_2{^2}$ - 11.9x$_3{^2}$ + 2.49x$_1$x$_2$ - 4.4x$_2$x$_3$ - 1.65x$_1$x$_3$. The model predicted also agreed with the experimentally observed result(R$^2$ = 0.96) The results show that the response of treatment removal(%) in Photo-Fenton oxidation of livestock wastewater were significantly affected by the synergistic effect of linear terms(Fe(II)($x_1$), $H_2O_2(x_2)$, pH(x$_3$)), whereas Fe(II) $\times$ Fe(II)(x$_1{^2}$), $H_2O_2$ $\times$ $H_2O_2$(x$_2{^2}$) and pH $\times$ pH(x$_3{^2}$) on the quadratic terms were significantly affected by the antagonistic effect. $H_2O_2$ $\times$ pH(x$_2$x$_3$) had also a antagonistic effect in the cross-product term. The estimated ridge of the expected maximum response and optimal conditions for Y using canonical analysis were 84 $\pm$ 0.95% and (Fe(II)(X$_1$) = 0.0146 mM, $H_2O_2$(X$_2$) = 0.0867 mM and pH(X$_3$) = 4.704, respectively. The optimal ratio of Fe/H$_2O_2$ was also 0.17 at the pH 4.7.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2011

This study is conducted to know the change in water environment of Lake Hwajinpo from 2000 to 2008 with physico-chemical parameters; salinity, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus and total nitrogen and others. And zooplanktons and phytoplanktons were studied from 2007 to 2008. From the water quality data of Lake Hwajinpo from 2000 to 200S; water temperature, salinity, transparency, chemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen ranges are $2.8{\sim}29.4^{\circ}C$, 0.23~33.2‰, $0.2{\sim}1.8\;m$, $0.2{\sim}20.2\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and $0.1{\sim}17.4\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and the average values are $18.0^{\circ}C$, 15.7‰, 0.7 m, $5.7\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and $8.0\;mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. Total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) ranges are $0.024{\sim}0.869\;mg\;L^{-1}$ (average 0.091) and $0.240{\sim}5.310\;mg\;L^{-1}$ (average 1.235). Average TN/TP ratio is 16.4. The annual variations in COD, TP, TN and Chl.${\alpha}$ are compared. COD in 2000 is $4.83\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and 2008 is $1.80\;mg\;L^{-1}$ which is reduced by $0.34\;mg\;L^{-1}$ every year. TP in 2000 is $0.07\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and 2008 is $0.05\;mg\;L^{-1}$ reduced gradually. Yearly reduction in TN is $0.09\;mg\;L^{-1}$, in 2000 and 2008 the values are $1.54\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and $0.77\;mg\;L^{-1}$ respectivly. Chl.${\alpha}$ in 2000 is $46.30\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ and $5.78\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ in 2008; yearly reduction is $4.50\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. The tropic state index (TSI) in south and north parts of Lake Hwajinpo in 2000 are 67 and 63 which are reduced to 63 and 59 in 2008 respectively. North and south part of Lake Hwajinpo have 67 species of phytoplankton under 47 families in 2007 and 2008. Dominant species in south part in 2007 are; Asterococcus superbus in May, Lyngbya sp. in September and Trachelomonas spp. in November and in 2008 Anabaena spiroides in August are abundant and varies with time. Zooplankton species in Lake Hwajinpo are 25 of 25 families. Dominant species in south part in May and August 2007 and May and November in 2008 Copepoda larvae and in September 2007 Protozoa spp. of Protozoan and Brachionus plicatilis and Brachionus urceolaris of Cladocera in August 2008. Dominant species in north part Asplanchna sp. of Cladecera in August and November 2007 and rest of the time are larvae of Copepoda. In this way, the water quality of Lake Hwajinpo is changing with slow rate in the long period specially nutrients concentration (TP, TN etc) is decreasing.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.817-826
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• 2004

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that conventional hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes cellular injury, abnormal responses in peripheral vascular beds and increased postoperative bleeding, whereas normothermic CPB provides protection of the hypothermic-induced effects and better cardiac recovery. The present study was prospectively performed to compare the effects of normothermic CPB to those of hypothermic CPB on the inflammatory and hematologic responses during cardiac surgery. Material and Method: Thirty-four adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to hypothermic CPB (nasopharyngeal temperature $26～28^{\circ}C,$ n=17) or normothermic CPB (nasopharyngeal $temperature>35.5^{\circ}C,$ n=17) group. In both groups, cold $(4^{\circ}C)$ crystalloid cardioplegia was applied for myocardial protection. Blood samples were drawn from radial artery before (Pre-CPB), 10 minutes after starting (CPB-10) and immediately after ending (CPB-OFF) CPB. Total leukocyte and platelet counts, interleukin-6 (IL-6) level(expressed as percent to the baseline of Pre-CPB), D-dimer level, protein C and protein S activity were measured with the blood samples. The amount of bleeding for postoperative 24 hours and blood transfusion after operation were also assessed. All parameters were compared between the two groups. Result: The total leukocyte counts $(10,032\pm65/mm^3)$ and the increased ratio of IL-6 $(353\pm7.0%)$ at CPB-OFF in the normothermic group were higher than that $(7,254\pm48/mm^3$ and $298\pm7.3%)$ of the hypothermic group(p=0.02 and p=0.03). In the normothermic group, protein C activity $(32\pm3.8%)$ and protein S activity $(35\pm4.1%)$ at CPB-OFF were significantly lower than that $(45\pm4.3%$ and $51\pm3.8%)$ of the hypothermic group (p=0.04 and p=0.009). However, there were no differences in platelet counts and D-dimer concentration. In the normothermic group, the amount of bleeding for postoperative 24 hours $(850\pm23.2$ mL) and requirements for blood transfusion after operation such as packed cell $(1,402\pm20.5$ mL), fresh frozen plasma $(970\pm20.8$ mL) and platelet $(252\pm6.4$ mL) were higher than that $(530\pm21.5$ mL, $696\pm15.7$ mL, $603\pm18.2$ mL and $50\pm0.0$ mL) of the hypothermic group. Conclusion: These results indicate that normothermic CPB with cold crystalloid cardioplegia was associated with higher increase in inflammatory response, hemostatic abnormalities and postoperative bleeding problem than moderate hypothermic CPB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.215-228
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• 1999

Background: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown etiology often involving the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes. The natural course of sarcoidosis is variable from spontaneous remission to significant morbidity or death. But, the mechanisms causing the variable clinical outcomes or any single parameter to predict the prognosis was not known. In sarcoidosis, the number and the activity of CD4 + lymphocytes are significantly increased at the loci of disease and their oligoclonality suggests that the CD4 + lymphocytes hyperreactivity may be caused by persistent antigenic stimulus. Recently, it has been known that CD4+ lymphocytes can be subdivided into 2 distinct population(Th1 and Th2) defined by the spectrum of cytokines produced by these cells. Th1 cells promote cellular immunity associated with delayed type hypersensitivity reactions by generating IL-2 and IFN-$\gamma$. Th2 cells playa role in allergic responses and immediate hypersensitivity reactions by secreting IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10. CD4+ lymphocytes in pulmonary sarcoidosis were reported to be mainly Th1 cells. IL-12 has been known to play an important role in differentiation of undifferentiated naive T cells to Th1 cells. And, Moller et al. observed increased IL-12 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) in patients with sarcoidosis. So it is possible that the elevated level of IL-12 is necessary for the continuous progression of the disease in active sarcoidosis. This study was performed to test the assumption that IL-12 can be a marker of active pulmonary sarcoidosis. Methods: We measured the concentration of IL-12 in BALF and in conditioned medium of alveolar macrophage(AM) using ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method in 26 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis(10 males, 16 females, mean age: $39.8{\pm}2.1$ years) and 11 normal control. Clinically, 14 patients had active sarcoidosis and 12 patients had inactive. Results: Total cells counts, percentage and number of lymhocytes, number of AM and CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio in BALF were significantly higher in patients with sarcoidosis than in control group. But none of these parameters could differentiate active sarcoidosis from inactive disease. The concentration of IL-12 in BALF was significantly increased in sarcoidosis patients ($49.3{\pm}9.2$ pg/ml) than in normal control ($2.5{\pm}0.4$ pg/ml) (p<0.001). Moreover it was significantly higher in patients with active sarcoidosis ($70.3{\pm}14.8$ pg/ml) than in inactive disease ($24.8{\pm}3.l$ pg/ml) (p=0.001). Also, the concentration of IL-12 in BALF showed significant correlation with the percentage of AM(p<0.001), percentage(p<0.001) and number of lymphocyte(p<0.001) in BALF, suggesting the close relationship between the level of IL-12 in BALF and the inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the level of IL-12 and the concentration of soluble ICAM-1 : in serum(p<0.001) and BALF (p=0.001), and also between IL-12 level and ICAM-1 expression of AM(p<0.001). The AM from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis secreted significantly larger amount of IL-12 ($206.2{\pm}61.9$ pg/ml) than those of control ($68.3{\pm}43.7$ pg/ml) (p<0.008), but, there was no difference between inactive and active disease group. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the BALF IL-12 level can be used as a marker of the activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1994

Background: Patients with mitral stenosis(MS) have been demonstrated to have a variable degree of pulmonary dysfunction and exercise impairment. The hemodynamic changes of MS can be reversed after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty(PMV), but the extent and time course of the imporvement in pulmonary function and exercise capacity are not defined. Methods: In order to investigate the early(3 weeks or less)and late(3 months or more) effects of PMV on pulmonary function and determine if the pulmonary dysfunction is reversible even in patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension, we performed the spirometry, measurements of diffusing capacity and lung volumes, and incremental exercise tests in patients with MS before and after PMV. Results: In 46 patients with MS(age: $40{\pm}12$years, male to female ratio: 1:2, mitral valve area: $0.8{\pm}0.2cm^2$) there was a significant increase in FVC(P<0.0025), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), $FEF_{25-75%}$(P<0.001, $FEF_{50%}$(P<0.001), PEF(P<0.0005), MVV(P<0.005), $\dot{V}O_2$max (P<0.0001), and AT(P<0.0001) after average 10 days of PMV. Also there was a significant decrease in DLco(P<0.0001) and DL/VA(P<0.0001). At later($5{\pm}2$months) follow-up in 11 patients, there was no further improvement in any parameters of pulmonary function and exercise test. Twenty nine patients with sinus rhythm were divided into 16 patients with pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) more than 35mmHg and/or tricuspid regurgitation grade n or more(group A) and 13 patients with PAP less than 35mmHg(group B). Group A Patients had significantly lower FVC(P<0.001), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), DLco(P<0.05), $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.025) and mitral valve area(P<0.025) than group B patients. Group A patients after PMV, showed significant increase in FVC(P<0.001), maximum $O_2$ pulse(P<0.00001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.00025). Both group showed an increase in AT(P<0.0001, P<0.005), but group A showed greater decrease in $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}O_2$ and $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}CO_2$ both at AT(P<0.001, P<0.001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.0001, P<0.0001) after PMV compared with group B. Conclusion: These data suggest that patients with MS can show increased pulmonary function and exercise performance within 1 month after PMV. Patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension had a significant increase in exercise performance compared with those with mild to no pulmonary hypertension and it is thought to be related to a significat decrease of ventilation for a given oxygen consumption at maximum exercise.