• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

A novel porcine circovirus 4 (PCV4) was recently identified in Chinese and Korean pig herds. Although several conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) assays were used for PCV4 detection, more sensitive and reliable qPCR assay is needed that can simultaneously detect PCV4 and internal positive control (IPC) to avoid false-negative results. In the present study, a duplex qPCR (dqPCR) assay was developed using primers/probe sets targeting the PCV4 Cap gene and pig (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) GAPDH gene as an IPC. The developed dqPCR assay was specifically detected PCV4 but not other PCVs and porcine pathogens, indicating that the newly designed primers/probe set is specific to the PCV4 Cap gene. Furthermore, GAPDH was stably amplified by the dqPCR in all tested viral and clinical samples containing pig cellular materials, indicating the high reliability of the dqPCR assay. The limit of detection of the assay 5 copies of the target PCV4 genes, but the sensitivity of the assay was higher than that of the previously described assays. The assay demonstrated high repeatability and reproducibility, with coefficients of intra-assay and inter-assay variation of less than 1.0%. Clinical evaluation using 102 diseased pig samples from 18 pig farms showed that PCV4 circulated in the Korean pig population. The detection rate of PCV4 obtained using the newly developed dqPCR was 26.5% (27/102), which was higher than that obtained using the previously described cPCR and TaqMan probe-based qPCR and similar to that obtained using the previously described SYBR Green-based qPCR. The dqPCR assay with IPC is highly specific, sensitive, and reliable for detecting PCV4 from clinical samples, and it will be useful for etiological diagnosis, epidemiological study, and control of the PCV4 infections.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2021

Purpose: Common human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are relatively understudied due to the mild nature of HCoV infection. Given the lack of local epidemiology data on common HCoVs, we aimed to describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of common HCoVs in children. Methods: Respiratory viral test results from 9,589 respiratory samples from Seoul National University Children's Hospital were analyzed from January 2015 to December 2019. Viral detection was done by the multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Demographics and clinical diagnosis were collected for previously healthy children tested positive for HCoVs. Results: Of the 9,589 samples tested, 1 or more respiratory viruses were detected from 5,017 (52.3%) samples and 463 (4.8%) samples were positive for HCoVs (OC43 2.8%, NL63 1.4%, 229E 0.7%). All 3 types co-circulated during winter months (November to February) with some variation by type. HCoV-OC43 was the most prevalent every winter season. HCoV-NL63 showed alternate peaks in late winter (January to March) and early winter (November to February). HCoV-229E had smaller peaks every other winter. Forty-one percent of HCoV-positive samples were co-detected with additional viruses; human rhinovirus 13.2%, respiratory syncytial virus 13.0%, influenza virus 4.3%. Common clinical diagnosis was upper respiratory tract infection (60.0%) followed by pneumonia (14.8%), croup (8.1%), and bronchiolitis (6.7%). Croup accounted for 17.0% of HCoV-NL63-positive children. Conclusions: This study described clinical and epidemiological characteristics of common HCoVs (OC43, NL63, 229E) in children. Continuing surveillance, perhaps by adding HKU1 in the diagnostic panel can further elucidate the spectrum of common HCoV infections in children.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 2019

Purpose Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important index for evaluation of renal function, renal disease diagnosis and progress monitoring. Therefore, accurate measurement of GFR is clinically important. Among the factors that affect the GFR result, there have been many discussions on the methods such as the correction of the kidney depth, net syringe count, and the method of setting the ROI. However there has been no consideration of counting in the most basic factors like height and weight measurement. In this study, we investigate how height and weight changes affects the result of GFR and review the importance of standardized body measurements. Materials and Methods Fifty patients who underwent GFR test were randomly sampled and examined for changes in height and body weight within one month. From the normal patients without renal disease to the patients with severely decreased GFR, we applied the GFR formula of Gate with varying height and weight. Results: The result showed variation of the height at maximum three centimeters and six kilograms of weight. The first calculation of GFR was done with fixed height value and control variable as weight. Weight was incremented by one kilogram each time up to six kilograms. The GFR showed increased result with increasing weight. The result of GFR showed ten percent increase with six kilograms of weight increase. On the other hand, when height value was incremented by one centimeter up to three centimeters showed decreased GFR result with fixed weight value. Up to three centimeters of height increase showed two percent of decreased GFR with fixed weight. Conclusion This study showed varying GFR result when height and weight changes. Therefore it is clinically crucial not only to maintain and manage body measuring instrument but also to have a standardized measurement methods to derive accurate measured values and to achieve reproducibility.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2012

This study is investigated dose change on intra-oral radiography when same conditions under the others unit and same unit under the different exposed conditions. Three different radiation devices were studied. Exposure to the upper anterior, premolar and molar on the variant time and dose measure was using semiconductor radiation dose meter. Obtained film density value was analyzed to the belong in the range of diagnosis. Results for dose of each region were less dissimilar between the maximum and minimum. Its value was different 10 times as many as 3 times. In addition, the range of film density was 2.10 ~ 2.95. These values were exceeded on the allow density of diagnostic value '0.25 ~ 2.0'. Even if the same device and the same condition, measured dose was considerable differance and film density was showed show the inappropriate density range. Those can be caused the patient's re-take and patient's diagnostic errors so patients has affected direct and indirect radiological harm. Therefore, dental radiography devices will be required periodical maintenance and also provided standard on the exposure and processing conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1974

The seed quality testing for Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis), their pre-germination and embryo growing process were investigated and the abnormal embryo groups were discriminated by the use of soft X-ray photograph. The study results were as follows ; 1. The embryo reflection was clearly observed for air dried seeds (moisture content was 6.3%) at 30 sec, stratificated seeds at 60 sec (moisture content 24.0-36.0%) and immature seed (moisture content 41.0-64.0%) at 90sec., then the photographing variation for soft X-ray was the radiographing distance at 42cm focus M, voltage 19.5 K.V.P. and Ampere 8 mA. By the above result, the radiographing time for discriminating the embryo reflection was increased by the increase of moisture content in the seeds. 2. The embryo reflection could be clearly observed from the last ten days of June and the embryo length ratio to endosperm length was growing to 65% at the first ten days of September. By the result obtained the soft X-ray photograph was thought to be effective method for the study of inner morphology of seeds. 3. The clear reflection seeds for embryo and endorsperm were observed to 69.7% and the seeds were practically germinated to 75.2% The difference in number between the discriminated seeds by the soft X-ray photograph and the practically germinated seeds was only 6%. According to this results, the soft X-ray photograph was thought to be a effective methods for the germination diagnosis in the shortest time and with the exactness comparatively. 4. Because of the possibility of clearness for observation of pre-germination process, the soft X-ray photograph could be used for the study on the physiology of seed germination. 5. The frequency of abnormal embryos was observed of total 4.4% and their types and subtypes could be classified into twenty groups. Among these groups, single abnormal embryo type was divided into eight subtypes and observed of 2.0 percent, twin embryo was six subtypes and 1.8 percent, triple embryo was five subtypes and 0.5 percent, and inverse type was 0.12 percent.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2009

Purpose: The PET of the PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) quantitatively shows the biological and chemical information of the body, but has limitation of presenting the clear anatomic structure. Thus combining the PET with CT, it is not only possible to offer the higher resolution but also effectively shorten the scanning time and reduce the noises by using CT data in attenuation correction. And because, at the CT scanning, the contrast media makes it easy to determine a exact range of the lesion and distinguish the normal organs, there is a certain increase in the use of it. However, in the case of using the contrast media, it affects semi-quantitative measures of the PET/CT images. In this study, therefore, we will be to establish the reliability of the SUV (Standardized Uptake Value) with CT data correction so that it can help more accurate diagnosis. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, a total of 30 people are targeted - age range: from 27 to 72, average age : 49.6 - and DSTe (General Electric Healthcare, Milwaukee, MI, USA) is used for equipment. $^{18}F$- FDG 370~555 MBq is injected into the subjects depending on their weight and, after about 60 minutes of their stable position, a whole-body scan is taken. The CT scan is set to 140 kV and 210 mA, and the injected amount of the contrast media is 2 cc per 1 kg of the patients' weight. With the raw data from the scan, we obtain a image showing the effect of the contrast media through the attenuation correction by both of the corrected and uncorrected CT data. Then we mark out ROI (Region of Interest) in each area to measure SUV and analyze the difference. Results: According to the analysis, the SUV is decreased in the liver and heart which have more bloodstream than the others, because of the contrast media correction. On the other hand, there is no difference in the lungs. Conclusions: Whereas the CT scan images with the contrast media from the PET/CT increase the contrast of the targeted region for the test so that it can improve efficiency of diagnosis, there occurred an increase of SUV, a semi-quantitative analytical method. In this research, we measure the variation of SUV through the correction of the influence of contrast media and compare the differences. As we revise the SUV which is increasing in the image with attenuation correction by using contrast media, we can expect anatomical images of high-resolution. Furthermore, it is considered that through this trusted semi-quantitative method, it will definitely enhance the diagnostic value.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2002

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of depression in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods : Subjects were 37 cancer inpatients of oncology in Yeungnam university hospital. BDI and ZDS were done and HDS was performed through semistructured interview. Results: 1) There were no significant differences of depression scale score according to sex, education, religion, marital status. 2) The mean scores of BDI, ZDS and HDS in 37 cancer patients were 18.27${\pm}$7.73, 36.51${\pm}$10.82, 15.14${\pm}$6.60, respectively. 3) HDS, ZDS scores were significantly higher in other cancer group receiving high dose chemotherapy. 4) Item score for depressed mood, diurnal variation(p<0.001), dissatisfaction(p<0.01), physical anxiety, decreased libido, sleep disturbance(p<0.05) were significantly higher in other cancer group than others. 5) Eight patients were diagnosed as having major depressive disorder, 11 as adjustment disorder, and 18 patients had no axis I diagnosis. 6) In major depressive disorder group, the score of the depressed mood item in ZDS was high (p<0.05). HDS item score for depressed mood, work difficulty, anxiey(p<0.001), psychomotor retardation(p<0.01) were significantly higher in major depressive disorder group. 7) In patients with adjustment disorder, ZDS item score of constipation(p<0.001), fatigue, anorexia (p<0.01), emptiness, sleep disturbance, dissatisfaction, weight loss(p<0.01) were high. HDS item score of hypochondriasis(p<0.01), agitation(p<0.01), fatigue, decreased libido(p<0.05) were significantly higher in adjustment disorder group. Conclusion : Some psychiatric disorders, such as adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder were common in the cancer patients in chemotherapy. Psychiatric intervention will increase compliance of cancer treatment and improve the quality of life. This study suggests that it would be important to consider the nature of somatic symptoms in diagnosing depression in cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.188-197
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• 2008

This research was a preliminary case study to determine the levels of total mercury in the tissues of sentinel species (Zacco platypus) and ecological health in relation to habitat characteristics and chemical conditions. We collected fishes in Gap Stream during June$\sim$October 2007 and analyzed the total mercury from five types of tissues such as liver, kidney, gill, vertebrae and muscle of Zaceo platypus using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). Mean concentrations of total [Hg], based on all tissues, was 67.2 and $20.7\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$, in the upstream and downstream site, respectively, indicating 3 times greater level in the upstream. In other words, the levels were higher in the pristine upstream than the downstream influenced by the wastewater disposal plant. Chemical water quality, based on BOD, COD and nutrients (TN, TP) showed that severe degradation occurred in the downstreams than the upstreams. Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish multi-metric model averaged 32, indicating a "good$\sim$fair" condition and varied from 42 (excellent$\sim$good) at S2 to 22 (fair$\sim$poor) at S5 depending on the sites sampled. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) in the all sites averaged 142, which was judged as "good" habitat health, but showed a high variation (181 in Site 2 vs. 67 in Site 5). Overall data suggest that health conditions, based on IBI and QHEI, was better in the upstream sites but the mercury bioaccumulation levels in the fish tissues were opposite. We believe that measurements of various parameters are required for a diagnosis of integrative ecosystem health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.581-588
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• 2019

MRI is superior when contrasted to help the organization generate artifacts resolution, but also affect the diagnosis and create a image that can not be read. Metal is inserted into the tooth, it is necessary to often be inhibited in imaging by causing the geometric distortion due to the majority and if the difference between the magnetic susceptibility of a ferromagnetic material or paramagnetic reducing them. The purpose of this study is to conduct a metal artefact in accordance with the analysis using a diamagnetic material. The magnetic material include a wire for the orthodontic bracket and a stainless steel was used as a diamagnetic material was used copper, zinc, bismuth. Testing equipment is sequenced using 1.5T, 3T was used was measured using a SE, TSE, GE, EPI. A self-produced phantom material was used for agarose gel (10%) to a uniform signal artifacts causing materials are stainless steel were tested by placing in the center of the phantom and cover inspection of the positive cube diamagnetic material of 10mm each length.After a measurement artefact artifact zone settings area was calculated using the Wand tool After setting the Low Threshold value of 10 in the image obtained by subtracting images, including magnetic material from a pure tool phantom images using Image J. Metal artifacts occur in stainless steel metal artifact reduction was greatest in the image with the bismuth diamagnetic materials of copper and zinc is slightly reduced, but the difference in degree will not greater. The reason for this is thought to be due to hayeotgi offset most of the susceptibility in bismuth diamagnetic susceptibility of most small ferromagnetic. Most came with less artifacts in image of bismuth in both 1.5T and 3T. Sequence-specific artifact reduction was most reduced artifacts from the TSE 1.5T 3T was reduced in the most artifacts from SE. Signal-to-noise ratio was the lowest SNR is low, appears in the implant, the 1.5T was the Implant + Bi Cu and Zn showed similar results to each other. Therefore, the results of artifacts variation of diamagnetic material, magnetic susceptibility (${\chi}$) is the most this shows the reduced aspect lower than the implant artificial metal artifacts criteria in the video using low bismuth susceptibility to low material the more metal artifacts It was found that the decrease. Therefore, based on the study on the increase, the metal artifacts reduction for the whole, as well as dental prosthesis future orthodontic materials in a way that can even reduce the artifact does not appear which has been pointed out as a disadvantage of the solutions of conventional metal artifact It is considered to be material.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.129-155
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• 2008

The rate of antibiotics prescription for an acute airway infection significantly varies depending upon the diagnosis type, specialty, and the location of the hospital along with many other related factors. The objective of this study is to empirically investigate the possible relationship between the antibiotics prescription rates for an acute airway infection and the degree of competition in the hospital market regions of mainly the providers of primary medical care services such as clinics, internal medicines, pediatrics and otorhinolaryngology department. Using the data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) regarding the hospitals' antibiotics prescription rates for the acute airway infection and controlling for selected variables of demand and supply sectors, this study tries to figure out that the degree of competition in the hospital market, regardless of what type of competition indexes we employed, has a statistically significant effect on the variations of antibiotics prescription rate of the clinics in local areas. This result implies that as an economic consideration itself, the change in the degree of competition in the hospital market can play a crucial role influencing the treatment behaviors of the medical doctors. More specifically, this study reveals that as the degree of competition increases the antibiotics prescription rate goes up. This result means that if the market becomes more competitive in a specific region so that it might cause a reduction in doctor's income, doctors with rational decision-making process, recognize that the benefit created from inducing patients' seemingly unnecessary demand for medical care (income effect) would be higher than the costs associated with sustaining their targeted income (substitution effect). It is because that the doctors are more likely to prescribe antibiotics which create relatively higher margins than other medical care services in order to sustain their targeted income when the hospital market competition becomes tighter. Even though this study empirically confirms that antibiotics prescription can be affected by the economic incentives, it still raises following issues as limitations of the study: first issue is about the representativeness of the hospital regions segregated for this study, which might be weak in explaining whether these regions are mutually exclusive in reality. Patients actually consider the quality of services, transportation cost, time costs, and any other related factors choosing the doctors or hospitals, and in that sense, this study rules out 'border-crossing' in using the medical care services. Second issue arises in capturing the data of antibiotics prescription rate. Since we use the average rate for each medical institution, we cannot figure out the average rate for each patient so that we are not able to control for the variation of patients' medical conditions. It is because of the unavailability of data regarding each patient's medical condition from HIRA. Thirdly, since this study mainly analyzes the medical institutions providing primary care such as clinics, internal medicines, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology department, it is skeptical of whether those institutions can represent the hospital market in respective regions and truly reflect the degree of competition. It needs to extend the study areas and disease types as well as any micro data for future studies.