• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.220-228
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• 2017

Background: The transforaminal (TF) epidural steroid injection (ESI) is suggested as more effective than the interlaminar (IL) route due to higher delivery of medication at the anterior epidural space. However, serious complications such as spinal cord injury and permanent neural injury have been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness, technical ease, and safety of the TF and parasagittal IL (PIL) ESI. Methods: A total of 72 patients were randomized to either the PIL group (n = 41) or the TF group (n = 31) under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients were evaluated for effective pain relief by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (%) before and 2 weeks after the ESI. The presence of concordant paresthesia, anterior epidural spread, total procedure time, and exposed radiation dose were also evaluated. Results: Both the PIL and TF approach produced similar clinically significant improvements in pain and level of disability. Among the 72 patients, 27 PIL (66%) and 20 TF (64%) patients showed concordant paresthesia while 14 (34%) and 11 (36%) patients in the same respective order showed disconcordant or no paresthesia. Radiation dose and total procedure time required were compared; the PIL group showed a significantly lower radiation dose ($30.2{\pm}12$ vs. $80.8{\pm}26.8$ [$Cgy/cm^2$]) and shorter procedure time ($96.2{\pm}31$ vs. $141.6{\pm}30$ seconds). Conclusions: ESI under fluoroscopic guidance with PIL or TF approach were effective in reducing the NRS and ODI. PIL ESI was a technically easier and simple method compared to TF ESI.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.127-135
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• 2017

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile, systemic vasculitis as a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) and aspirin are the standard initial therapy in the treatment of acute KD. The purpose of this study was to investigate drug utilization in children with KD, and to compare "IVIG + high-dose aspirin" and "IVIG + moderate-dose aspirin" in preventing cardiac complications. Methods: We analyzed pediatric patient sample data compiled by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2010 to 2015. We identified patients with KD using the KCD-6 code of M30.3. We excluded patients in chronic phase or ${\geq}1$0 years. We also excluded patients who were diagnosed KD in November or December. Drug utilization pattern were assessed in acute KD patients and 30-day and 60-day cardiac complications were investigated between "IVIG + high-dose aspirin" group and "IVIG + moderate-dose aspirin" group. Results: In acute phase, IVIG was administered to 95.8% patients, and 57.1% patients were prescribed moderate-dose aspirin and 25% patients were with high-dose aspirin. Steroid use was rapidly increased from 4.0% in 2010 to 11.3% in 2015. Both 30-day and 60-day cardiac complications occurred less in "IVIG + high-dose aspirin" group compared to "IVIG + moderate-dose aspirin" group, but not statistically significant (0.9% vs 1.8%, p=0.252 for 30-day complication rate; 1.5% vs 2.7%. p=0.073 for 60-day complication rate). Conclusion: We were not able to demonstrate which aspirin therapy is superior for preventing cardiac complications in acute KD patients and further research is warranted.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6339-6342
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• 2014

Background: The incidence of rectal cancer is increasing in younger age groups. Limited data is available regarding survival outcome in younger patients with conflicting results from western world. The goal of this study was to determine survival in patients with rectal cancer <30 years of age and compare it with their older counterparts in the Pakistani population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients operated for rectal adenocarcinoma between January 2005 and December 2010 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 aged ${\leq}30years$ and Group 2 aged >30years. Patient characteristics, surgical procedure, histopathological details and number of loco-regional and distant failures were compared. Expected 5 year survival was calculated using Kaplan Meier curves and significance was determined using the Log rank test. Results: There were 38 patients in group 1 and 144 in group 2. A significantly high number of younger patients presented with poorly differentiated histology (44.7% vs 9.7%) (p=0.0001) and advanced pathological stage (63.1% vs 38.1%) (p=0.04). Predicted overall 5 year survival was 38% versus 57% in groups I and II, respectively (p=0.05). Disease free survival was 37% versus 52% and was significantly different (p=0.007). Conclusions: Early onset rectal cancer is associated with poor pathological features and a worse outcome in Pakistani population.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1270-1278
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• 2022

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate quality characteristics of reduced-salt pork sausage (PS) using pre-rigor muscle compared to those of regular-salt PS. In addition, effects of freezing on sausage batter with different temperatures (-30℃ vs -70℃) on quality characteristics of both sausage batter and cooked sausages during frozen storage were observed. Methods: Pre-rigor and post-rigor pork hams were used to manufacture low-fat sausages. Sausages using post-rigor (Post) muscle were manufactured at a salt level of 1.5%, whereas those with pre-rigor (Pre) muscle were processed at salt level of 1.0%. After these muscles were made at two salt levels (1.5% salt, Post-rigor; 1.0% salt, Pre-rigor), Sausage batters were stored at two frozen temperatures (-30℃ vs -70℃). During storage for 12 wks, they were measured for physicochemical and textural properties every 4 wks up to 12 wks. Results: pH values and temperatures of sausage batter of pre-rigor muscle were higher than those of post-rigor muscle regardless of the frozen temperature. The lightness and yellowness values of batter at the initial storage were the highest during storage. For PS, there were no differences in most parameters measured among all treatments. However, expressible moisture values (%) of Pre-30 and Pre-70 were lower than those of Post-30 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Regardless of frozen temperature during storage, quality characteristics of pre-rigor PS with salt level of 1.0% salt were similar to those of post-rigor PS with salt level of 1.5%. By using the pre-rigor muscle, salt content could be reduced by one third of the regular-salt level (1.5%) of post-rigor muscle.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2023

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been suggested as a novel predictive marker of cardiovascular disease. However, its prognostic role in patients under-going coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is unclear. This study aimed to determine the association between the preoperative NLR and early mortality in patients undergoing CABG. Methods: Cardiac surgery was performed in 2,504 patients at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from January 2010 to December 2021. This study retrospectively reviewed 920 patients who underwent isolated CABG, excluding those for whom the preoperative NLR was unavailable. The primary endpoints were the 30- and 90-day mortality after isolated CABG. Risk factor analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis. Based on the optimal cut-off value of preoperative NLR on the receiver operating characteristic curve, high and low NLR groups were compared. Results: The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 3.8% (n=35) and 7.0% (n=64), respectively. In the multivariable analysis, preoperative NLR was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.39; p<0.001) and 90-day mortality (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07-1.28; p<0.001). The optimal cut-off value of the preoperative NLR was 3.4. Compared to the low NLR group (<3.4), the high NLR group (≥3.4) showed higher 30- and 90-day mortality rates (1.4% vs. 12.1%, p<0.001; 2.8% vs. 21.3%, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Preoperative NLR was strongly associated with early mortality after isolated CABG, especially in patients with a high preoperative NLR (≥3.4). Further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to validate these results.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.241-244
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• 1991

An experiment was conducted to investigate the nutritional and economic effects of complete replacement of maize with sun-dried cassava (SDC) in the diet of broiler chickens raised from one day of age to seven weeks. The complete replacement of maize by SDC resulted in a 10 percent reduction (p<0.05) in final bodyweights (1.91 vs 1.72 kg); and a 5 percent reduction (p>0.05) in average feed intake (4.01 vs 3.81 kg). Feed efficiency was not affected (p > 0.05). Cost per kilogramme of feed was reduced by nearly 30 percent and cost per kilogramme of bodyweight gain lowered by about 26 percent by using SDC diet. Relative profit return after accounting for cost of feed and cost of day old chick was higher by 11 percent on the SDC diet. It was concluded that despite the reduction in final bodyweight, the attractive economic return obtained from using SDC, a locally produced ingredient, may be justified in place of maize which is imported.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.128-131
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• 2002

'Manita', a red pepper cultivar being cultivated currently and 'HL', a cultivar bred for single-harvest by National Horticultural Research Institute were grown by direct sowing and raising seedling methods, respectively, and all the fruits on the tree were harvested once. Fruits were grouped into 6 grades by color and appearance and their chemical compositions were analyzed. Generally, 'HL' showed less redness and contained less amounts of capsaicin, organic acid, Vit. C, and sugar than 'Manita'. Regardless of cultivar and cultivation method, red-old fruits, ripened and partially dried on the plant, had more red color (21-30%) and more capsaicin (40.0-78.3 mg% vs. 33.2-52.7 mg%), but less sugar (12.70-16.69% vs. 14.46-17.43%) than red-fresh fruits. No difference was found between direct sowing and raising seedling.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 1993

Anaerobic Digestion of thickened septage was investigated in this study. Thickening could reduce the volume of septage to be treated to about 40% with 12hr HRT. The VS and BOD removal efficiencies were respectively 28 to 45%, and 75% when digested the thickened septage with 30 day HRT Or $1.4kgVS/m^3/d$. The BOD removal efficiency could be increased to about 90% with subsequent settling tank with about 6 hours HRT. The gas production rate was 0.22 to $0.35m^3gas/kgVSadd$($0.75m^3gas/kgVSrm$), or $1.32m^3gas/kgBOD_{rm}$. In addition, the supernatant of thickener could be returned to the aeration tank treating domestic sewage. In this case, a BOD loading rate of 0.5 to $0.7kgBOD/m^3/d$ or 0.5kgBOD/kgMLVSS/d was proposed for 80% BOD reduction.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.179-185
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• 1995

The fusion rates of nuclear transplant embryos with various DC voltage were 55.6-79.2%. The significantly higher fusion rates of nuclear transplant embryos were achieved at the electric field strenght of DC 1.0-2.0kV/cm(72.0-79.2%) than DC 0.75kV/cm(55.6%, P<0.05). No significant differences in the percentage of embryos that cleaved(48.1, 55.4 and 42.6% respectively) and the percentage of cleaved embryos that developed to morulae/blastocyst(1.9, 5.3 and 1.9% respectively) could be found among the three types of in vitro culture system (Granulosa cell, BOEC co-culture and SOF, P>0.01). The age of the recipient cytoplast(30 vs 40hr) had no effect on the fusion rates and the rates of cleavage development(36.9 vs 44.1%, P>0.01).

• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.333-338
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• 1997

We performed a study to investigate the characteristics of color perception according to some factors and to suggest the initial setting value of color temperature in each mode of a PC and TV monitor. Investigated factors were monitor coating (coating vs. noncoating)and screen brightness(30fL vs. 35fL). Twenty-three subjects (male 12, female 11) participated in this experiment. The experiment was performed in eachmode of a PC and TV monitor. Average color temperatures were obtained in both PC- mode and TV- mode. In addition, effects of monitor coating and screen brightness were investigated.