• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.121-121
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• 2004

As one of the major activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a Coordinated Research Program (CRP) has been implemented with the aim of solving many of the problems facing the Member States by integrating various different levels of each country's technical capabilities in the areas which the Agency needs further technology development. To establish the strategy for an active participation In the CRP and its effective implementation, general features of the current IAEA programs and a prospect of the future program for 2006-2007 are described.(omitted)

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.385-388
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• 2008

We herein describe the case of a focal spontaneous spinal epidural abscess who was initially diagnosed to have a free fragment of a lumbar disc. A 71-year-old woman presented with history of low back and right leg pain. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested a peripherally enhancing free fragment extending down from S1 nerve root axilla. Preoperative laboratory investigation showed elevation of c-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels. She was taken for surgery and a fluctuating mass at the axilla of S1 nerve was found. When the mass was probed with a dissector, a dark yellow, thick pus drained out. Pus cultures were negative. Patients who present with extreme low back plus leg pain and increased leucocyte count, ESR and CRP levels should raise the suspicion of an infection of a vertebral body or spinal epidural space.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.566-572
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• 2009

A recombinant plasmid, pDH3, was obtained from the genomic library of Serattia marcescens KCTC 2172, and several recombinant subclones constructed from pDH3. The nucleotide sequence of a 5,137 bp segment, pPH4, was determined and three open reading frames were detected. The three ORFs encoded the phosphate specific transport (pst) operon, which was pstC, pstA, and pstB, with the same direction of transcription. Comparison of the pst operon of S. marcescens with that of other organisms revealed that the genes for pstS and phoU were missing. A potential CRP bonding site and pho box sequence was found in the upstream of the putative promoter at the regulatory region. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence showed that homology in amino acid sequences between the PstC protein and Yersinia sp., Vibrio sp., and Pseudomonas sp. were 49, 37 and 33%, respectively. The PstA protein and Yersinia sp., Vibrio sp., and Pseudomonas sp. showed homologies of 64, 51, and 47%, respectively. PstB protein and Methanocaldococcus sp., E. coli, and Mycoplasma sp. showed homologies of 60, 50, and 48%, respectively. The pst genes could be expressed in vivo and positively regulated by cAMP-CRP. The E. coli strain harboring plasmid pPH7, with pst genes, increased with the transport of phosphate.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.909-918
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• 2013

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary nutrient intakes for markers of blood glucose and inflammation which is important to the progress of type 2 diabetes and the development of its complications. For this study, 76 adults with diabetes (42 males, 34 females) were recruited from a group of patients who had visited the department of endocrine medicine. Data on anthropometric characteristics, clinical indices such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and dietary nutrient intakes were collected. Our results have shown that 66% of subjects were either overweight or obese. Serum analysis indicates that levels of C-peptide, glucose, HbA1c, CRP, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol were higher than normal range. Results from the dietary nutrient intake survey displayed that intakes of cholesterol and sodium were higher than Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans. On the contrary, folate intake was lower than the guideline. Within the females, energy contribution from carbohydrate was higher than Korean Diabetes Association guideline. Statistical analysis has revealed a negative correlation between serum HbA1c level and dietary intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), n-3 PUFA, ${\beta}$-carotene and vitamin E after adjustments for age, BMI, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, exercise and ingestion of diabetes mellitus medication (p<0.05). Serum CRP level was inversely associated with dietary intakes of carbohydrate, protein, vitamin C and fiber (p<0.05). Our results suggest that dietary nutrient intakes may influence the levels of HbA1c and CRP, and subsequently, it may help in the management/treatment of type 2 diabetes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.186-192
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• 2014

Purpose: The prevalence of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) has increased worldwide. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of MRMP in a tertiary hospital in Korea, and to find potential laboratory markers that could be used to predict the efficacy of macrolides in children with MRMP pneumonia. Methods: A total of 95 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia were enrolled in this study. Detection of MRMP was based on the results of specific point mutations in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene. The medical records of these patients were reviewed retrospectively and the clinical course and laboratory data were compared. Results: The proportion of patients with MRMP was 51.6% and all MRMP isolates had the A2063G point mutation. The MRMP group had longer hospital stay and febrile period after initiation of macrolides. The levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-18 in nasopharyngeal aspirate were significantly higher in patients who did not respond to macrolide treatment. CRP was the only significant factor in predicting the efficacy of macrolides in patients with MRMP pneumonia. The area under the curve for CRP was 0.69 in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, indicating reasonable discriminative power, and the optimal cutoff value was 40.7 mg/L. Conclusion: The proportion of patients with MRMP was high, suggesting that the prevalence of MRMP is rising rapidly in Korea. Serum CRP could be a useful marker for predicting the efficacy of macrolides and helping clinicians make better clinical decisions in children with MRMP pneumonia.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1671-1679
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• 2021

Objective: We quantitatively measured the fat fraction (FF) in the vertebrae of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and investigated the role of FF as an indicator of both active inflammation and chronicity. Materials and Methods: A total of 52 patients with AS who underwent spinal MRI were retrospectively evaluated. The FF values of the anterosuperior and anteroinferior corners of the bone marrow in the L1-S1 spine were assessed using the modified Dixon technique. AS activity was measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and serum inflammatory marker levels. AS disease chronicity was assessed by AS disease duration and the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS). Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to investigate the correlation between FF and other clinical characteristics. Results: The mean FF ± standard deviation of the total lumbar spine was 43.0% ± 11.3%. At univariable analysis, spinal FF showed significant negative correlation with BASDAI (β = -0.474, p = 0.002) and ASDAS with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP; β = -0.478, p = 0.002) and a significant positive correlation with AS disease duration (β = 0.440, p = 0.001). After adjusting for patient age, sex, and total mSASSS score, spinal FF remained significantly negatively correlated with BASDAI (β = -0.543, p < 0.001), ASDAS-CRP (β = -0.568, p < 0.001), and ASDAS with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (β = -0.533, p = 0.001). Spinal FF was significantly lower in patients with very high disease activity (ASDAS-CRP > 3.5) than in those with only high disease activity (2.1 ≤ ASDAS-CRP ≤ 3.5) (p = 0.010). Conclusion: Spinal FF may help assess both AS disease activity and chronicity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.29-43
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• 2003

9Objective : We carried out this experimental study in order to investigate the effect of Chaenomelis Fructus(木瓜) extract and herbal-acupuncture on the arthritis induced by injecting Freund's complete adjuvant Method : 1. We categorized SD-rats into five groups as followings. (1) Control: Without any Treat (2) Treat I: treated by acupuncture (3) Treat II: treated by drinking 5% saline (4) Treat III: treated by drinking Chaenomelis Fructus(木瓜) extract (5) Treat IV: treated by Chaenomelis Fructus(木瓜) herbal-acupuncture 2. We established ten items for decision of experimental results as followings Edema rate, Pain endurance, WBC, Hemoglobin, Platelet, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, RA factor, CRP Results : The groups that showed significant effects compared with Contol group were explained as followings. 1. Edema rate : Treat I , Treat III 2. Pain endurance : Treat I, Treat IV 3. WBC : Treat IV 4. Hemoglobin : Treat III 5. Plat99elet : Treat IV 6. Total protein : Treat I, Treat IV 7. Albumin : None 8. Globulin : Treat I, Treat IV 9. RA factor : Treat I, Treat IV 10. CRP : Treat IV Conclusion : Observing above experimental results, we can guess that the effects of acupuncture and Chaenomelis Fructus(木瓜) herbal-acupuncture on Freund's adjuvant arthritis are more superior than other ways. In addition, we can find that the latter is more better than the former in effect by two items(platelet, CRP).

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.404-411
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• 2011

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on anti-inflammation and lipid profiles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (6-weeks-old) were equally divided into the following five groups: 1) normal diet group+saline (NC); 2) atherogenic diet+saline (HFC); 3) atherogenic diet+LPS (HL); 4) atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry power+LPS (C5); 5) atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry power+LPS (C10). LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavities of rats 18 hours prior to sacrifice. At the end of the experimental period, we measured serum lipid profiles as well as levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-1${\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The mean serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in C5 rats was significantly higher than that in NC and HL rats (P<0.05). The mean serum levels of CRP and IL-1${\beta}$ were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the cranberry powder groups compared to those in HL rats. Additionally, mean serum IL-6 levels tended to be lower in the cranberry groups than that in the HL group, whereas serum IL-10 and NO showed 29% and 88% higher mean values in the C5 group and 49% and 24% higher in the C10 group than those in the HL group, respectively. These results suggest that freeze-dried cranberry powder may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases by modifying serum lipids and the early inflammatory response.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.672-676
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• 2006

Purpose : Low dose aspirin is used due to its antiplatelet effect for the subacute phase of Kawasaki disease(KD). It is usually used for 6-8 weeks, then various hematologic laboratory tests and follow up echocardiography for evaluating coronary abnormalities are performed. Our review investigated the usefulness of various follow up laboratory tests performed at 6 weeks after the onset of KD. Methods : Two hundred eighty-two children diagnosed and hospitalized with KD were identified by reviewing patient's charts. Cases which were diagnosed between January 1997 and December 2004 were included in this study. We reviewed laboratory data including leukocytes, platelet counts, antistreptolysin O(ASO), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), urinalysis, and echocardiograms performed at admission and 6 weeks after the onset of KD. Paired t-test and Fisher's exact test, as well as logistic regression tests, were used for the statistical analysis. Results : At 6th week data, ESR and CRP were still elevated in 35(12.4 percent) and 12(4.3 percent) patients, respectively. Sterile pyuria were all normalized. But, 36 patients(12.8 percent) showed thrombocytosis, 22(7.8 percent) elevated AST, 15(5.3 percent) leukocytosis, and 6(2.1 percent) coronary abnormalities. Coronary abnormalities at the 6th week were only shown in patients with initial abnormalites. Younger age and initial thrombocytosis were risk factors for thrombocytosis at the 6th week. Conclusion : All children with initial coronary abonormalites should have an echocardiogram at 6 weeks after the onset of fever. In view of case-effectiveness, additional echocardiographic studies are justified only if abnormalities are present at admission. ESR, CRP, and urinalysis performed at the 6 weeks after onset of KD is not significant for clinical information of progression. Platelet count should be estimated at 6th week for a judgement of continuous antiplatelet therapy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2007

Numerous psychological stressors playa role in development of the cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether a combined mental activity with experimental subway noise affects hematological physiology. Fifty-four healthy volunteers were divided group I which underwent subway noise (n=24) and group II which underwent a combined mental activity with subway noise (n=30). Venous blood samples were collected for measuring CBC, prothrombine time (PT), activated partial thromboplastine time (APTT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), D-dimer and high sensitive C-reactive protein (H-CRP) levels before, 50 min of stress task (S-50m) and 60 min of recovery (R-60m). Changed ratios of granulocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte and platelet counts at S-50m and R-60m were higher in group II compared to group I. RBC count and hematocrit level in group I increased whereas those in group II decreased at S-50m. PT, APTT and ESR in the both groups were shortened at R-60m and the decreased ratios were high in group II compared to group I. H-CRP and D-dimer in the both groups were elevated at S-50m and R-60m while the increased ratios in group II were greater than those in group I. These observations imply that a combined mental activity with experimental subway noise may be a stressor which affects hematological physiology.