• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.525-532
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• 1999

The parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) is the most common causative peptide of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In contrast, the serum level of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is low to undetectable in the majority of patients with malignancy associated hypercalcemia. Few cases exist in which the production and secretion of PTH by malignant nonparathyroid tumors have been authenticated. To our knowledge, there is very rare case in which a nonparathyroid tumor expressed simultaneously both the PTH and PTHrP. We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung with hypercalcemia which presented with simultaneous elevation of serum PTH and PTHrP. Severe hypercalcemia (serum calcium, 7.5 mEq/L) was found in a 65-year-old man who had a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung without any bony metastasis and detectable parathyroid abnormalities on isotope scintigraphy. The serum level of intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) con centration was markedly elevated as measured in two site radioimmunoreactive PTH assays (intact PTH 150 pg/mL ; normal 9~55). The serum level of a PTHrP was also increased as measured in C-terminal region specific radioimmunoassay (PTHrP 99.1 pmol/L; normal 13.8~55.3). There are no evidences of coincidental primary hyperparathyroidism in parathyroid MIBI scan and other imaging studies including neck ultrasonography and computed tomography. These results suggest that simultaneous elevation of serum PTH and PTHrP in this patient can be caused by production of both PTHrP and PTH in other nonparathyroid lesions such as squamous cell carcinoma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.388-394
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• 2003

Background : Monoclonal antibodies directed against well-known epitopes on cytokeratin (CK) 8, 18 and 19 (Monototal) have been used in the development of a new diagnostic tool for lung cancer. In the mid-1990s, CK 19 fragments (Cyfra 21-1) became popular and widely used for such diagnosis. This is the first study specifically designed to compare these two markers. Method : The serum levels of CK 8, 18 and 19 were measured using two-site monoclonal/polyclonal immunoradiometric assay kit in 57 healthy adults and 289 patients who were admitted to Seoul National University Hospital from May to September, 2002. The lung cancer group comprised 129 primary lung cancer patients; 116 with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and 13 with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The control group comprised 160 non-malignant pulmonary lung disease patients and 57 healthy adults. A total of 166 twin Monototal and Cyfra 21-1 serum assays were obtained; 76 with lung cancer, 70 with non-malignant pulmonary lung disease and 20 healthy adults. Results : The mean serum value of Monototal was $412.47{\pm}455.45U/L$ in NSCLC, $237.08{\pm}145.15U/L$ in SCLC, $126.54{\pm}95.72U/L$ in non-malignant pulmonary lung disease, and $63.68{\pm}31.66U/L$ in healthy adults. The serum values of the lung cancer groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.01). Using a cut off value of 188U/L, sensitivity and specificity was 66.4% and 81.9% in NSCLC, and 43.8% and 81.9% in SCLC, respectively. The serum levels of CK 8, 18 and 19 were higher in advanced NSCLC than in early stage disease. Conclusion : The serum levels of CK 8, 18 and 19 may be useful in the diagnosis of NSCLC.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2008

Background: Early identification of pathogens can improve the prognosis of patients with ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of performing multiplex PCR for endotracheal aspirates to detect three important pathogens (P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and MRSA) in patients with VAP. Methods: The endotracheal aspirates of 24 patients were collected within 24 hours of the diagnosis of VAP for performing multiplex PCR. Forward and reverse primers were designed to target the specific site of each pathogen (the oprL gene for P. aeruginosa, 16S rRNA for K. pneumoniae and the mec gene for MRSA). We analyzed the clinical data of the VAP patients, including the culture reports for the endotracheal aspirates. Results: Twenty-four patients (M:F=18:6, mean age=$70{\pm}11$) with VAP were enrolled. Pathogens were isolated from 11 patients (P. aeruginosa in 2, K. pneumoniae in 1, MRSA in 2, other enteric Gram negative bacilli in 3, S. pneumoniae in 2 and mixed infection in 1). Multiplex PCR detected three cases of P.aeruginosa (2 cases coincided with the culture reports) and four cases of K. pneumoniae (1 matched with the culture report). PCR detected two MRSA cases, which did not coincide with the culture reports. Conclusion: Multiplex PCR of the endotracheal aspirate showed some ability to detect Gram negative bacilli, although caution is required when interpreting the results.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.210-214
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• 2008

Chemical pneumonitis is an occupational lung disease that's caused by the inhalation of chemical substances. Its severity depends on the characteristics of the substances, the exposure time and the susceptibility of the patients. Hydrogen sulfide is not only emitted naturally, but it also frequently found in industrial settings where it is either used as a reactant or it is a by-product of manufacturing or industrial processes. Inhalation of hydrogen sulfide causes various respiratory reactions from cough to acute respiratory failure, depending on the severity. Two pharmaceutical factory workers were admitted after being rescued from a waste water disposal site that contained hydrogen sulfide. In spite that they recovered their consciousness, they had excessive cough and mild dyspnea. The simple chest radiographs and high resolution computed tomography showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates, and hypoxemia was present. They were diagnosed as suffering from chemical pneumonitis caused by hydrogen sulfide. After conservative management that included oxygen therapy, their symptoms, hypoxemia and radiographic abnormalities were improved.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1976

One of the most common needle leaf species used in planting in Korea is korean pine (Pinus koraiensis S. et Z.), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) is one of the test species for suitability. The relation of nursery bed density of 2-1 korean pine and 1-1 jack pine was studied at the Kwang Nung Nursery, Central Branch Station of Forest Research Institute, and about 40km north of Seoul. Nursery bed density of 2-1 korean pine, which ranged from 36 to 324 trees per square meters and of 1-1 jack pine, which ranged from 25 to 169 trees per square meters, had a marked effect on caliper, height, dry weight and percent and amount of plantable stock. The soil physical and chemical properties is silt plus clay, 50.55 percent; organic matter, 2.09 percent; total nitrogen, 0.13 percent; available phosphorus, 253.25 ppm; exchangeable potash, 0.46 m.e/100g; and pH, 5.58. As the density of the nursery seedling stand of 2-1 korean pine increases, the average tree height increases (Fig. 1A), but in 1-1 jack pine density do not affect to increase or decrease the average tree height. As the density of nursery bed increases, the average stem caliper (at 2cm above ground line) and dry weight decrease (Fig. 1B), but the decreasing rate is more seriously in 1-1 jack pine than 2-1 korean pine (Fig.5). As increasing the density of nursery bed, the T/R ratio of trees of the test species increase. Also the dry weight of leaf, stem and root parts are decreasing in proportion to the increase of stand density, but the drop rate of jack pine is more rapid than korean pine (table. 1) The patent facts of difference of growth characteristics between 2-1 korean pine and 1-1 jack pine were studied. These facts should be used to select the scale of stand density at the nursery bed or the plantable site. Korean pine is demanded high density, on the other hand in jack pine low density are more suitable to manage the stand density. Stands of comparatively low density had the greatest percentage of high-quality stock, and the stands of high density had less than the high quality trees of low density. An important criterion of the best density is percent and number of high-quality trees produced per square meter of bed area. Stem caliper and stem height of seedling is used in most public nurseries to sort seedling into plantable grades. The stock grade standard has set at 4.5mm caliper and 16cm height of 2-1 korean pine as the minimum desired stem caliper and height. By the result studies, the plantable stock grade standards of 2-1 korean pine used at stem height 16cm and stem caliper 4.5mm from public nurseries should be reformed to stem height 18cm and stem caliper 4.0mm by the growth characteristics and the tree distribution of stem height and caliper of relation to density. For the 2-1 korean pine, best density should be about 160 to 200 trees per square meter according to soil fertility. For the 1-1 jack pine, the suitable standard of plantable stock should be at stem height 25cm and caliper 6mm (at 2cm above ground line) and best density was about 100 to 120 trees.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1996

The object of this study was to examine the effects of air pollution on forest vegetation structure in the vinicity of Sasang industrial complex in Korea. Forest vegetation structure was investigated at 19 sample plots surrounding industrial complex and at one site away from industrial complex as a control. The results obtained were as follows; 1. For analysis of vegetation structure, upperstory of forests was mostly consisted of Pinus thunbergii, and partly of Alnus firma and Robinia pseudoacacia. In midstory, major components were Pinus thunbergii, Robinia pseudoacacia, Rhus trichocarpa, Rhus chinensis and Styrax japonica, In lower story, Pinus thunbergii was a minor component, while Robinia pseudoacacia, Quercus serrata, Rhus trichocarpa. and Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense which were known to be resistant to air pollution were found in large number. Especially, importance percentage of Robinia pseudoacacia was high, while that of Rhododendron mucronulatum was low in surrounding industrial complex. 2. For woody plants, number of species, species diversity and similarity index in industrial complex, were not significantly different from those in control plot. 3. For herbs, Oplismenus undulatifolius appeared in large number in most plots. The $SDR_3$ of Miscanthus sinensis, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Paederia scandens, Spodiopogon cotulifer and Carex humilis were high, but that of Aster scaber, Saussurea seoulensis, Solidago virgaaurea var. asiatica and Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina were low in the vicinity of industrial complex. 4. Number of herb species decreased to below 10 species at surrounding industrial complex as compared to 20 species in the control plot. In addition species diversity, and similarity index in the industrial complex were lower than those in control plot. It may be concluded that Pinus thunbergii forests in industrial complex consists of tree species resistant to air pollution, and that composition of woody vegetation in industrial complex was not much different from control plot, while composition of herbs was already quite different between the two plots. Forest vegetation structure, therefore, may change with time due to air pollution in the industrial complex.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.84-95
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• 1996

Environmental pollution has recently been progressed in the metropolitan and industrial areas of Korea and concerns have been evolved against the chronic effects of the pollution on natural ecosystem. This study was carried out to investigate the environmental pollution impacts on ion input into forest ecosystems and soil environmental changes. Study plots were established at Seoul, Ulsan, Yeochon, and Seosan for pollution sites and at Pyungchang for a non-pollution site. Atmospheric deposition was measured with rain, throughfall, and stem flow samples collected in the forest areas. Soil chemical properties were investigated to compare the pollution impacts on the sites. Precipitation acidity in the metropolitan and industrial areas ranged from pH 4.5 to 5.5, showing the levels lower than pH 5.8 of mountain area. Ion concentrations in the precipitation had increased significantly while passing the crown layer in the metropolitan and industrial areas, showing the increase by 4 times at the maximum. Total ion input in the metropolitan and industrial areas was greater than that in mountain area by approximately 2-3 times. Soil acidification caused by acidic ion input seemed to be greatest at Seoul, showing pH 1 decrease compared to that of Pyungchang. Soil canon contents were relatively high in the metropolitan and industrial areas. Although the canon leaching loss was not apparent, soil acidification process seemed to be continued by acidic ion input. Environmental pollution in the metropolitan and industrial areas exerted changes in ion input into the forest ecosystems and soil conditions. The chronic effects of environmental pollution should be monitored and investigated further to explain the processes of ecosystem change and the impacts on plant growth.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.4
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• pp.438-447
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to understand the ecosystem structure and function and soil water changes in Tricholoma matsutake producing pine stands. The investigated stands were pine forest in Sogrisan National Park in Chungbuk-do of Korea. For the purpose we investigated main vegetation, leaf area index(LAI) as ecosystem structural factors and measured photosynthesis, transpiration, xylem water potential, and soil water changes as ecosystem functional factors. Vertical vegetation structure of the site was composed of Pinus densiflora as a overstory species, Quercus mongolica as midstory, Rhododendron mucronulatum, R. schlippenbachii and Fraxinus sieboldiana as understory ones. In the stands LAI was 3.8 during June to September, 2.6 in October and 2.1 during November to April. Photosyntheses of the trees were 6.0 to $7.0{\mu}mol\;CO_2/m^2/s$ in August, and for P. densiflora about $4.0{\mu}mol\;CO_2/m^2/s$ and for Q. mongolica $2.0{\mu}mol\;CO_2/m^2/s$ in mid October. However, R. mucronulatum stopped fixing $CO_2$ and F. sieboldiana shed off the leaves already in mid October. Transpirations were 2.5 to $3.5mmol\;H_2O/m^2/s$ in late August and about $1.0mmol/H_2O/m^2/s$ in mid October. Plant water potentials were -10 to -22 bars for P. densiflora and -5 to -12 bars for the other woody species. The lowest potentials was in late August and highest in late October. Soil water in the stand was closely related to topography. Soil water contents were 7 to 11% at the ridge, 8 to 15% at the hillside and 11 to 19% at the base. Soil temperatures were 0.2 to $0.4^{\circ}C$ higher in T. matustuake colony than noncolony. Mid September soil temperature decreased to $19^{\circ}C$ at which T. matsutake forms primordia. In T. matsutake colony soil moisture was 0.5 to 2.0% lower due to metabolism for consuming water. We suggest that the complicate relationships between ecosystem structure and function in Tricholoma matsutake producing pine stand need to be further investigated.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.375-395
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• 2006

Purpose: Lingual nerve (LN) damage may be caused by either tumor resection or injury such as wisdom tooth extraction, Although autologous nerve graft is sometimes used to repair the damaged nerve, it has the disadvantage of necessity of another operation for nerve harvesting. Moreover, the results of nerve grafting is not satisfactory. The nerve growth factor (NGF) is well-known to play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration and its local delivery to the injured nerve has been continuously tried to enhance nerve regeneration. However, its application has limitations like repeated administration due to short half life of 30 minutes and an in vivo delivery model must allow for direct and local delivery. The aim of this study was to construct a well-functioning $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus for the ultimate development of improved method to promote peripheral nerve regeneration with enhanced and extended secretion of hNGF from the injured nerve by injecting $rhNGF-{\beta}$ gene directly into crush-injured LN in rat model. Materials and Methods: $hNGF-{\beta}$ gene was prepared from fetal brain cDNA library and cloned into E1/E3 deleted adenoviral vector which contains green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene as a reporter. After large scale production and purification of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, transfection efficiency and its expression at various cells (primary cultured Schwann cells, HEK293 cells, Schwann cell lines, NIH3T3 and CRH cells) were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy, RT-PCR, ELISA, immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, the function of rhNGF-beta, which was secreted from various cells infected with $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, was evaluated using neuritogenesis of PC-12 cells. For in vivo evaluation of efficacy of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, the LNs of 8-week old rats were exposed and crush-injured with a small hemostat for 10 seconds. After the injury, $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus($2{\mu}l,\;1.5{\times}10^{11}pfu$) or saline was administered into the crushed site in the experimental (n=24) and the control group (n=24), respectively. Sham operation of another group of rats (n=9) was performed without administration of either saline or adenovirus. The taste recovery and the change of fungiform papilla were studied at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Each of the 6 animals was tested with different solutions (0.1M NaCl, 0.1M sucrose, 0.01M QHCl, or 0.01M HCl) by two-bottle test paradigm and the number of papilla was counted using SEM picture of tongue dorsum. LN was explored at the same interval as taste study and evaluated electro-physiologically (peak voltage and nerve conduction velocity) and histomorphometrically (axon count, myelin thickness). Results: The recombinant adenovirus vector carrying $rhNGF-{\beta}$ was constructed and confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequence analysis. GFP expression was observed in 90% of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected cells compared with uninfected cells. Total mRNA isolated from $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected cells showed strong RT-PCR band, however uninfected or LacZ recombinant adenovirus infected cells did not. NGF quantification by ELISA showed a maximal release of $18865.4{\pm}310.9pg/ml$ NGF at the 4th day and stably continued till 14 days by $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected Schwann cells. PC-12 cells exposed to media with $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected Schwann cell revealed at the same level of neurite-extension as the commercial NGF did. $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus injected experimental groups in comparison to the control group exhibited different taste preference ratio. Salty, sweet and sour taste preference ratio were significantly different after 2 weeks from the beginning of the experiment, which were similar to the sham group, but not to the control group.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.360-365
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• 1999

This study was aimed to suggest to better treatment method of jaw cyst that the maximum diameter was wider than 3cm, using different treatment and clinical and radiographic result. We divided the 60 patients into three groups, group A(20 patients) were treated with cyst enucleation and Decalcified Freeze-Dried Allogeneic Bone(DFDB) graft, group B(20 patients) were treated with cyst enucleation and autogenous bone graft, group C(20 patients) were treated with only cyst enucleation. Each group was evaluated with panoramic radiograph and clinical sign & symptom at pre-op and post-op(immediate, 6, 12, 24, 36 month). Bone density was evaluated with disital densitometer. The result was as follows : 1. Post-Op infection was higher in group C(4 pts.) than in group A(1 pt.) and B(1 pt.) 2. Post-Op gingival recession was higher in group C(3 Pts.) than in group A(1 pt.) and B(1 pt.) 3. Anatomic distortion was higher in group C(3 Pt.) than in group A(1 Pt.), and B(1 pt.) 4. Reoperation was done in two patients who were in group C 5. There were donor site morbidity in two patients 6. There was no significant difference between group A and B in their bony density in their follow up period(p>0.05). 7. There were significant differences between group A, B and group C in their bony density until post-op 24 months but a little differences at post-op 36 months(P<0.01)