• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.75-85
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• 2005

Purpose : Fungal infection is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies. Amphotericin B(ABV) and itraconazole(ITZA) have been used as the standard empirical antifungal therapy in neutropenic patients with acute leukemia who have persistent fever that does not respond to antibiotic therapy. ABV is an antifungal drug associated with side effects such as fever and chills, symptoms which may be mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-$1{\beta}$(IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$). We assessed modulation of these pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokines(IL-4, IL-1Ra) by ABV and ITZA. Methods : From March 2004 to February 2005, a total of 30 episodes from acute leukemia patients with febrile neutropenia were analyzed for this study. They were randomly allocated to receive intravenous ABV or ITZA for 14 days. Clinical responses were evaluated at the completion of therapy, and cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4, and IL-1Ra were measured for determination to know the correlation between two antifungal agents and inflammatory cytokines. Results : Empirical antifungal agents were given to 37 patients(ABV 20, ITZA 17), and 30 patients(ABV 15, ITZA 15) were evaluable for efficacy. White blood cell and absolute neutrophil count in the group treated with ITZA increased early days of treatment, so the duration of neutropenia in ITZA group is shorter. Serum creatinine level is lower in ITZA group than in ABV group but this is not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in response rate between two groups. The IL-$1{\beta}$ was increased in ABV treatment group and the ratio of IL-1Ra/IL-$1{\beta}$ is markedly decreased in ABV treatment group while increased in ITZA group. Conclusion : ITZA and ABV have at least equivalent efficacy as empirical antifungal therapy in neutropenic children with acute leukemia. However ITZA is associated with significantly less toxicity in clinical and molecular aspects.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the sources of infection and modes of transmission of an outbreak of shigellosis that occurred among pupils of 'M' primary school and residents near the school in Kyongju from Sept. 24 to Oct. 24, 1998. Methods : The subjects who completed a questionnaire and a rectal swab for microbiologic examinations were 1,534 persons (781 males, 753 females), including 469 pupils of 'M' primary school (268 males, 201 females). Bacteriological examinations of underground water and simple piped water were done. Results : The attack rate of diarrhea was 28.7% in the subjects from Sept.24 to Oct. 24, 1958. There was no difference in attack rate of diarrhea by gender, but it was significantly higher in the pupils of 'M' primary school than others (p<0.01). The attack rate of diarrhea by resident areas was no different to the pupils of 'M' primary school, but was significantly higher in the residents of Mohwa 2 Ri except pupils that 'M' primary school is located in (p<0.01). The distribution of date of onset revealed the exposure date to be Sept, 22 and 23 in consideration of incubation periods and common source outbreak followed propagative spread in the epidemic curve. The major characteristics of diarrhea were watery (89.1%) in nature, $1\sim3$ days (72.5%) in duration, $2\sim3$ times (63.9%) in frequency. The clinical symptoms among the diarrheal cases included abdominal pain (74.1%), fever (56.4%), headache (55.9%), chill (40.4%) and tenesmus (31.4%). Conclusions : The source of infection was estimated to be contaminated underground water and simple piped water caused by leakage from the cess pool. It is highly necessary that the management of drinking water and cess fools should be done thoroughly.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.170-175
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• 1997

Purpose : Hemolytic uremic syndrome(HUS), known as a most common cause of childhood renal failure in western countries, has been a relatively rare disease in Korea. Although the reported cases were not related to any specific cause in Korea, there was an outbreak of HUS with bloody diarrhea in Japan last year. We report here that we experienced the several typical HUS last year. Patients : From Jan.1996 to Dec. 1996, five patients were diagnosed as HUS at Samsung Seoul Medical Center, Dept. Pediatrics. Results : 1) The age of onset was below 3 years in 3 cases and above 9 years in 2 cases. 2) All the cases happened between summer and autumn. Three patients had domestic travel and 4 patients drank well or spring water before the symptoms. 3) The clinical manifestation was generalized edema, oliguria, anuria and hematuria. The bloody diarrhea were present in 5 cases and 1 patient had operation with the impression of appendicitis. 4) There was no bacteria which was isolated from the blood or stool samples. 5) Renal biopsies were performed in 2 cases, because of protracted clinical course. One showed microthrombotic angiopathy and the other cortical necrosis with necrotizing glomeruli. 6) Complete recovery was the outcome in 4 cases and one case progressed to chronic renal failure. Conclusion : In conclusion, typical HUS associated with bloody diarrhea, epidemic and good prognosis can be found in Korea and careful surveillance of the pre-clinical cases will be necessary.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2014

Many studies have suggested that in the era of Drug-Eluting Stents(DES) are one of the causes of In-Stent Restenosis(ISR) of Stent Fracture(SF). The present study sought to evaluate clinical characteristics of patients with stent fracture after successful DES implantation. The 4,701 patients were selected for analysis who underwent a follow-up coronary angiography irrespective of ischemic symptoms. The overall incidence of SF was 32 patients(male:female=19:13, Av. age $62.44{\pm}9.8$year, 0.68%). Fractures of Sirolimus-Eluting Stents(SES), Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents(PES), Biolimus A9-Eluting Stents(BES), Everolimus-Eluting Etents(EES), Endothelial Progenitor Cell Capture Stent(EPC) and Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents(ZES) are accounted for 19(59.4%), 9(28.1%), 2(6.3%), 1(3.1%), 1(3.1%) and 0(0%) respectively. SF developed in the left Anterior Dscending(LAD) artery in 16 patients(50%) and in complex(type B2, C) lesions in 25 patients(69.4%). Ten patients were treated with heterogenous DES, the rest being treated with either homogenous DES(3 patients), plain old balloon angioplasty(3 patients), or conservative medical treatment(17 patients). None of the patients with SF suffered from cardiac death during a follow-up period of $32.9{\pm}12.4$ months. The overall rate of DES fracture over up to 3.7 years of follow-up was 0.68% with higher incidence in SES than in PES. SF frequently occurred in the LAD artery and in complex lesions. Of the patients with SF, coronary intervention was performed only when the binary restenosis lesion was significant. During the follow-up, patients with SF have continued on combination antiplatelet therapy. There is a very low rate of major adverse cardiac events(post-detection of SF), especially cardiac death associated with SF.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.93-104
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• 2010

This study was conducted screening of the population densities of fungal pathogens and insect and observed the disease symptoms on the organic sweet corn seed producing field from 2008 to 2009. The dissemination spores, Alternaria sp., Cladosporium sp., Helminthosporium sp., Pyricularia sp., Collectotrichum sp., and Bipolaris sp., were detected and the three fungal spores from the front were observed for whole growth stage. Seed and seedling diseases were shown as the rotted seed and damping-off seedling caused by Penicillium sp. and Rhizoctonia sp.. The larva of Black cutworm cut down the root crown of seedlings. The damaged plants were ranged from 14% to 16%. On the Oriental corn borer, the population densities and the percentage of damaged plants were showed a low difference between two sweet corn varieties. The population densities of Oriental corn borer were scored as from 3.5 to 20.5 in 2008 and from 0.5 to 6 in 2009. Also the percentage of damaged plants were significantly increased until harvesting stage and was recorded from 7.5% to 21% in 2008 and from 1% to 46% in 2009. On the Corn leaf blight, the percentage of diseased plant were scored from 7% to 34% in 2008. The first occurrence of date was after June 18, and the percentage of diseased plant was continuously increased after August 21 and the values of diseased plants was ranged from 56% to 69% in 2009. On common smut, the percentage of diseased plant was recorded from 5% to 15% in 2008, and the first occurrence date were delayed as 17 days (July 17) and were showed less than 8% of diseased plants in 2009. Corn Southern Leaf spot was scored as average 11% at early stage and showed high score as 62% at September 19 in 2008. In 2009, the first occurrence date were advanced about 20 days (after June 8), and continuously increased up to 86% in 2009.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2003

The Fontan operation has undergone a number of major modifications and clinical results have been improving over time. Nevertheless, during the follow-up period, life-threatening complications develop and affect the long-term outcomes. Surgical interventions for these complications are needed and are increasing. Material and Method: From April 1988 to January 2000, 16 patients underwent reoperations for complications after Fontan operation. The mean age at reoperation was 8.8 :-5.5 years. Initial Fontan operations were atriopulmonary connections in 8 and total cavopulmonary connections in 8. Total cavopulmonary connections were accomplished with intracardiac lateral tunnel in 5 and extracardiac epicardial lateral tunnel in 3. Five patients had variable sized fenestrations. The reasons for reoperations included residual shunt in 6, pulmonary venous obstruction in 3, atrial flutter in 3, atrioventricular valve regurgitation in 2, Fontan pathway stenosis in 1, and protein-losing enteropathy in 1 Result: There were 3 early and late deaths respectively Patients who had residual shunts underwent primary closure of shunt site (n=2), atrial reseptation for separation between systemic and pulmonary vein (n=2), conversion to lateral tunnel (n=1), and conversion to one and a half ventricular repair (n=1). Four patients who had stenotic lesion of pulmonary vein or Fontan pathway underwent widening of the lesion (n=3) and left pneumonectomy (n=1) In cases of atrial flutter, conversion to lateral tunnel after revision of atriopulmonary connections was performed (n=3). For the atrioventricular valve regurgitation (n=2), we performed a replacement with mechanical valve. In one patient who had developed protein-losing enteropathy, aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries were obliterated via thoracotomy. Cryoablation was performed concomitantly in 4 patients as an additional treatment modality of atrial arrhythmia. Conclusion: Complications after Fontan operation are difficult to manage and have a considerable morbidity and mortality. However, more accurate understanding of Fontan physiology and technical advancement increased the possibility of treatment for such complications as well as Fontan operation itself. Appropriate surgical treatment for these patients relieved the symptoms and improved the functional class, Although the results were not satisfactory enough in all patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 1997

From March, 1992 to March, 1996, a total of 279 patients underwent coronary bypass surgery at the Sejong General Hospital, Puchon. We selected 22 patients with severe left ventricular(LV) dysfunction from them. The criteria were the presence of global or segmental abnormalities of left ventricular contraction and LV ejection fraction(EF) less than 35% based on biplane LV angiography by planimetry method. The mean age of 17 male and 5 female patients was 60$\pm$5.6years(range:47~73 years). All had the anginas, which were Canadian class II in 6, class 111 in 12 and class IV in 4. All patients except one had the history of previous myocardial infarction more than once. Seven of them had the symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure, such as dyspnea on excertion and increased pulmonary vascular markings. Their mean LVEF was 29.4$\pm$4 5%(range : 18~35%) and mean LV end-diastolic pressure was 18.7 $\pm$8. 2mmHg(range:10~42mmHg). 21 patients had 3 vessel-disease and 1 had 2 vessel-disease. Complete revascularization was tried with the use of 16 internal mammary arteries and 60 sapheuous veins and 3 radial arteries grafts. The mean number of distal anastomosis was 3.5$\pm$ 1.1. Concomitantly, one mitral valvuloplasty and annuloplasty was performed in the patient with moderate mitral regurtigation. The hospital mortality was 4.5%. During the follow-up, there were 3 late deaths. Of 18 survivors, 2 patients were lost in follow-up 24 and 27 month respectively after operation and the remaining 16 patients have bcen followed up with an average of 30.4 $\pm$ 13.4 months.15 patients had improvement with respect to angina but 8 patients still have the continuing or progressing heart failure. The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year actuarial survival rate was 85.2, 69.1, 46.1%, respectively. This study indicates that coronary artery bypass sur ery can be performed in the patients with severe LV dysfunction at acceptable risk but does not greatly contribute to the improvement of congestive heart failure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.559-565
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• 2003

By improving the flow pattern in Fontan circuit, total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) could result in a better outcome than atriopulmonary connection Fontan operation. For the patients with impaired hemodynamics after atriopulmonary Fontan connection, conversion to TCPC can be expected to bring hemodynamic and functional improvement. We studied the results of the revision of the previous Fontan connection to TCPC in patients with failed Fontan circulation. Material and method: From October1979 to June 2002, eight patients who had failed Fontan circulation, underwent revision of previous Fontan operation to TCPC at Yonsei University Hospital. Intracardiac anomalies of the patients were tricuspid atresia (n=4) and other functional single ventricles (n=4). Mean age at TCPC conversion was 14.0$\pm$7.0 years (range, 4.6~26.2 years) and median interval between initial Fontan operation and TCPC was 7.5 years (range, 2.4~14.3 years). All patients had various degree of symptoms and signs of right heart failure. NYHA functional class was 111 or IV in six patients. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n:f), cyanosis (n=2), intraatrial thrombi (n=2), and protein losing enteropathy (PLE) (n=3) were also combined. The previous Fontan operation was revised to extracardiac conduit placement (n=7) and intraatrial lateral tunnel (n=1). Result: There was no operative death. Major morbidities included deep sternal infection (n=1), prolonged pleural effusion over two weeks (n=1), and temporary junctional lachyarrhythrnia (n=1). Postoperative central venous Pressure was lower than the preoperative value (17.9$\pm$3.5 vs. 14.9$\pm$1.0, p=0.049). Follow-up was complete in all patients and extended to 50,1 months (mean, 30.3$\pm$ 12.8 months). There was no late death. All patients were in NYHA class 1 or 11. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia developed in a patient who underwent conversion to intraatrial lateral tunnel procedure, PLE was recurred in two patients among three patients who had had PLE before the convertsion. There was no newly developed PLE. Conclusion: Hemodynamic and functional improvement could be expected for the patients with Fontan circulatory failure after atriopulmonary connection by revision of their previous circulation to TCPC. The conversion could be performed with low risk of morbidity and mortality.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.272-281
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• 2010

The objective of this research was to find out the weed management techniques in environment-friendly rice paddy fields through the study on herbicidal effects and problems of various organic materials. This experiment was conducted under different conditions of weed species and weed densities in environment-friendly rice paddy fields. There was no difference in weedy efficacy on golden apple snail (GAS), paper mulching (PM), and machine weeding (MW) between low and high weed densities. However, the effect of weed control in rice bran (RB) and effective microorganism (EM) + molasses was higher in high weed density than in low weed density. In general, the effect of weed control as affected by various organic materials was in the order of GAS (97-100%) > PM (93-98%) > RB (15-80%) > EM (7-31%). GAS provided excellent control of all weed species tested except for Persicaria hydropiper. PM gave acceptable control of the weed species except for Echinochloa crus-galli, Ludwigia prostrata, and Eleocharis kuroguwai. However, MW gave fair control (70% biomass reduction) of all weed species tested. BR followed by MW or EM followed by MW treatments had similar effect on weed control compared to each treatment alone. However, BR followed by GAS or EM followed by GAS provided 100% control of weed species tested. The level of rice foliar injury caused by various organic materials was in the order of GAS and MW (10-20%) > RB (10-15%) > PM and EM (5-7%). Typical symptoms of organic materials are wilting, inhibition of growth, missing hill, and reduction of tiller. Cost for weed control of GAS, RB, EM, and PM were 2.1, 3.1, 2.3, and 13.2 times higher than that of the herbicide. These data indicate that GAS was the best method for weed management in environmentfriendly rice paddy fields. Further study is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the rice injury as affected by GAS.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the perception regarding palliative care among Korean doctors and referral barriers toward palliative care for terminal cancer patients. Methods: Between May and June 2010, 477 specialists mainly caring cancer patients using a web-based, self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 128 doctors (26.8%) responded. All respondents (100%) deemed palliative care a necessary service for terminal cancer patients. More than 80% of the respondents agreed to each of the following statements: all cancer centers should provide palliative care service (80.5%); all terminal cancer patients should receive concurrent palliative care along with anti-cancer therapies (89.1%) and caring for terminal cancer patients requires interdisciplinary approach (96.9). While more than 58% of the respondents were satisfied with their performance of physical and psychological symptoms management and emotional support provided by patient's family members, 64% of the responded answered that their general management of the end-of-life care was less than satisfactory. Doctors without prior experience in referring their patients to palliative care specialists accounted for 26.6% of the respondents. The most common barrier to hospice referral, cited by 47.7% of the respondents, was "refusal of patient or family member", followed by "lack of available palliative care resources" (46.1%). Conclusion: Although most doctors do recognize the importance of palliative care for advanced cancer patients, comprehensive and sufficient palliative medicine, including interdisciplinary cooperation and end-of-life care, has not been put into practice. Thus, more active palliative consultation or referral is needed for effective care of terminal cancer patients.