• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.11-16
• /
• 2004

Classification of esophageal motility disorders not yet finalized and is still ongoing as the new disorders are reported, and the existing classification is changed or removed. In terms of radiology, the primary peristalsis does not exist, and the lower end of the esophagus show the smooth, tapered, beak-like appearance. The esophageal motility disorder, which mostly occurs in the smooth muscle area, show the symptoms of reduction or loss (hypomotility) or abnormal increase (hypermotility) of peristalsis of the esophagus. It is important to understand the anatomy and physiology of the esophagus for the appropriate radiological method and diagnosis. Furthermore, the symptom of the patient and the manometry finding must be closely referred for the radiological diagnosis. The lower esophageal sphincter can be normally functioning and open completely as the food moves lower. Sperandio M et al. argues that the name diffuse esophageal spasm must be changed to distal esophageal spasm (DES) as most of the spasm occurs in the distal esophagus, composed of the smooth muscle. According to Ott et al., usefulness of barium method for diagnosing the esophageal motility disorder is Achalasia 95%, DES 71% and NEMD 46%, with the overall sensitivity of 56%. However, excluding the nutcracker esophagus or nonspecific disorder which cannot be diagnosed with the radiological methods, the sensitivity increases to 89%. Using videofluoroscopy and 5 time swallows, the average sensitivity was over 90%. In conclusion, the barium method is a simple primary testing method for esophageal motility test. Using not only the image but also the videofluoroscopy with good knowledge of the anatomy and physiology, it is believed that the method will yield the accurate diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.35 no.6_1
• /
• pp.919-932
• /
• 2019

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is not only affected by anthropogenic emissions, but also intensifies, migrates, decreases by hydrometeorological factors. Therefore, it is essential to understand relationships between the hydrometeorological factors and PM2.5 concentration. In Korea, PM2.5 concentration is measured at the ground observatories and estimated data are given to locations where observatories are not present. In this way, the data is not suitable to represent an area, hence it is impossible to know accurate concentration at such locations. In addition, it is hard to trace migration, intensification, reduction of PM2.5. In this study, we analyzed the relationships between hydrometeorological factors, acquired from Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS), and PM2.5 by means of Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA). By BMA, we also selected factors that have meaningful relationship with the variation of PM2.5 concentration. 4 PM2.5 concentration models for different seasons were developed using those selected factors, with Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Finally, we mapped the result of the model, to show spatial distribution of PM2.5. The model correlated well with the observed PM2.5 concentration (R ~0.7; IOA ~0.78; RMSE ~7.66 ㎍/㎥). When the models were compared with the observed PM2.5 concentrations at different locations, the correlation coefficients differed (R: 0.32-0.82), although there were similarities in data distribution. The developed concentration map using the models showed its capability in representing temporal, spatial variation of PM2.5 concentration. The result of this study is expected to be able to facilitate researches that aim to analyze sources and movements of PM2.5, if the study area is extended to East Asia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.11 s.268
• /
• pp.828-837
• /
• 2006

Background: Tissue hypoxia is characteristic of many human malignant neoplasm, and hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1) plays a pivotal role in essential adaptive response to hypoxia, and activates a signal pathway for the expression of the hypoxia-regulated genes, resulting in increasing $O_2$ delivery or facilitating metabolic adaptation to hypoxia. Increased level of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ has been reported in many human malignancies, but in non-small cell lung carcinoma the influence of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ on tumor biology, including neovascularization, is not still defined. In present study the relationship of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression on angiogenetic factors, relationship between the tumor proliferation and HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression, interaction of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression and p53, and relationship between HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression and clinico-pathological prognostic parameters were investigated. Material and Method: Archival tissue blocks recruited in this study were retrieved from fifty-nine patients with primary non-small cell lung carcinoma, who underwent pneumonectomy or lobectomy from 1997 to 1999. HIF-$1{\alpha}$, VEGF(vascular endothelial growth factor), and p53 protein expression and Ki-67 labeling index in tumor tissues were evaluated, using a standard avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex(ABC) immunohistochemistry. Relationship between the HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression and VEGF, p53 overexpression and correlation between the HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expresseion and Ki-67 index were analyzed. Clinico-pathologic prognostic parameters were also analyzed. Result: HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression in cancer cells was found in 24 of 59 cases of non-small cell lung carcinoma(40.7%). High HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression was significantly associated with several pathological parameters, such as pathological TMN stage(p=0.004), pT stage(p=0.020), pN stage (p=0.029), and lymphovascular invasion(p=0.019). High HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression was also significantly associated with VEGF immunoreactivity(p<0.001), and aberrant p53 expression(p=0.040). but was marginally associated with Ki-67 labeling index(p=0.092). The overall 5-year survival rate was 42.3%. The survival curve of patients with a high HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression was worse than that of patients with low-expression(p=0.002). High HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression was independent unfavorable factors with a marginal significance in multivariate analysis performed by Cox regression. Conclusion: It is suggested that high HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression may be associated with intratumoral neovascularization possibly through HIF-VEGF pathway, and high HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression could be associated with lymph node metastasis and post operative poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.365-373
• /
• 1998

Purpose: The conventional gamma camera is not ideal for scintimammography because of its large detector size (${\sim}500mm$ in width) causing high cost and low image quality. We are developing a small gamma camera dedicated for breast imaging. Materials and Methods: The small gamma camera system consists of a NaI (T1) crystal ($60 mm{\times}60 mm{\times}6 mm$) coupled with a Hamamatsu R3941 Position Sensitive Photomultiplier Tube (PSPMT), a resister chain circuit, preamplifiers, nuclear instrument modules, an analog to digital converter and a personal computer for control and display. The PSPMT was read out using a standard resistive charge division which multiplexes the 34 cross wire anode channels into 4 signals ($X^+,\;X^-,\;Y^+,\;Y^-$). Those signals were individually amplified by four preamplifiers and then, shaped and amplified by amplifiers. The signals were discriminated ana digitized via triggering signal and used to localize the position of an event by applying the Anger logic. Results: The intrinsic sensitivity of the system was approximately 8,000 counts/sec/${\mu}Ci$. High quality flood and hole mask images were obtained. Breast phantom containing $2{\sim}7 mm$ diameter spheres was successfully imaged with a parallel hole collimator The image displayed accurate size and activity distribution over the imaging field of view Conclusion: We have succesfully developed a small gamma camera using NaI(T1)-PSPMT and nuclear Instrument modules. The small gamma camera developed in this study might improve the diagnostic accuracy of scintimammography by optimally imaging the breast.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.28-33
• /
• 2001

Purpose: H. pylori infection is thought to contribute to iron-deficiency anemia, especially during puberty. The ferritin protein Pfr of H. pylori is homologous to eukaryotic and prokaryotic ferritins. The purpose of this study was to analyze the H. pylori pfr status in gastric biopsy specimens according to clinical data, including antral gastritis with or without iron-deficiency anemia. Methods: A total of 26 H. pylori-positive patients aged from ten to 18 years were categorized into subgroups based on the presence or absence of iron-deficiency anemia. All of them had antral gastritis. Sixteen patients were proved to have iron-deficiency anemia by hematological study, two of which had a duodenal ulcer. The other ten patients showed normal hematological findings. DNA isolation was performed from each of the gastric biopsy specimens. PCR amplification of the pfr gene coding was done using two sets of primers. The pfr region, 501 bp, was generated by linking the sequences of the two PCR products. The nucleotide and protein sequences were compared between the pfr regions from Korean H. pylori strains and the NCTC 11638, 26695, and J99 strain, which were obtained from the Genbank. Sequence comparisons were also performed for the pfr regions between the iron-deficiency anemia (+) and (-) groups. Results: Analysis of the complete coding region of pfr gene revealed three sites of mutation. The Ser39Ala mutation was found in 100% (26/26), Gly111Asn in 26.9% (7/26), and Gly82Ser in 11.5% (3/26). There were no significant differences in the mutations of the pfr regions between the iron deficiency anemia (+) and (-) groups. Conclusion: The mutation in the pfr gene did not relate with the clinical phenotype, iron deficiency anemia. Further studies are needed on the aspects of host side or other complex factors to elucidate anemia. Further studies are needed on the aspects of host side or other complex factors to elucidate the mechanisms by which the H. pylori infection might lead to iron deficiency anemia.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.244-250
• /
• 2008

To evaluate bacteriological water quality, samples were taken from drinking water dispensers placed at S company (S-C) and U highschool (U-H) in Ulsan. The medians of heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) were 53 CFU/ml for the 74 water samples of S-C and 80 CFU/ml for the 36 cold water samples of U-H, and 38% of the S-C and 42% of the U-H samples showed HPC bacterial concentrations higher than 100 CFU/ml. Coliform bacteria were detected from one sample of S-C. To determine the major source of bacterial contamination, water samples were taken daily for $6\sim8$ days from the bottled water containers as well as the faucets of an experimental water dispenser. While the average HPCs in the bottled water containers were 33 CFU/ml for the first and 132 CFU/ml for the 2nd analysis, the HPC concentration in the cold water samples was 1,022 CFU/ml for the 2nd analysis. These results suggest that the majority of bacteria detected in the cold water samples were originated from the biofilms on the surface of water passages within the water dispensers. There was no significant increase in HPC bacterial concentrations within the bottled water container after installation on the water dispenser. We could isolate and tentatively identify 3 genera 6 species of Gram-positive and 7 genera 7 species of Gram-negative bacteria from the plate count agar plates of U-H samples. Among the isolates, 72% were observed as Gram-positive, and Micrococcus spp. was the most abundant with 54% of the total, followed by Sphingomonas paucimobilis with 16%. It appears that most of the HPC bacteria detected in water dispensers originate from indoor airborne bacteria, which may play important roles in the formation of biofilms on the surface of water passages within the water dispensers.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.190-198
• /
• 2006

Radiation use efficiency (RUE), the amount of biomass produced per unit intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), constitutes a main part of crop growth simulation models. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the variation of RUE of rice plants under various nitrogen nutritive conditions. from 1998 to 2000, shoot dry weight (DW), intercepted PAR of rice canopies, and nitrogen nutritive status were measured in various nitrogen fertilization regimes using japonica and Tongil-type varieties. These data were used for estimating the average RUEs before heading and the relationship between RUE and the nitrogen nutritive status. The canopy extinction coefficient (K) increased with the growth of rice until maximum tillering stage and maintained constant at about 0.4 from maximum tillering to heading stage, rapidly increasing again after heading stage. The DW growth revealed significant linear correlation with the cumulative PAR interception of the canopy, enabling the estimation of the average RUE before heading with the slopes of the regression lines. Average RUE tended to increase with the increased level of nitrogen fertilization. RUE increased approaching maximum as the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) calculated by the ratio of actual shoot N concentration to the critical N concentration for the maximum growth at any growth stage and the specific leaf nitrogen $(SLN;\;g/m^2\;leaf\;area)$ increased. This relationship between RUE (g/MJ of PAR) and N nutritive status was expressed well by the following exponential functions: $$RUE=3.13\{1-exp(-4.33NNNI+1.26)\}$$ $$RUE=3.17\{1-exp(-1.33SLN+0.04)\}$$ The above equations explained, respectively, about 80% and 75% of the average RUE variation due to varying nitrogen nutritive status of rice plants. However, these equations would have some limitations if incorporated as a component model to simulate the rice growth as they are based on relationships averaged over the entire growth period before heading.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.72-78
• /
• 2009

The demand for rainfall data in gridded digital formats has increased in recent years due to the close linkage between hydrological models and decision support systems using the geographic information system. One of the most widely used tools for digital rainfall mapping is the PRISM (parameter-elevation regressions on independent slopes model) which uses point data (rain gauge stations), a digital elevation model (DEM), and other spatial datasets to generate repeatable estimates of monthly and annual precipitation. In the PRISM, rain gauge stations are assigned with weights that account for other climatically important factors besides elevation, and aspects and the topographic exposure are simulated by dividing the terrain into topographic facets. The size of facet or grid cell resolution is determined by the density of rain gauge stations and a $5{\times}5km$ grid cell is considered as the lowest limit under the situation in Korea. The PRISM algorithms using a 270m DEM for South Korea were implemented in a script language environment (Python) and relevant weights for each 270m grid cell were derived from the monthly data from 432 official rain gauge stations. Weighted monthly precipitation data from at least 5 nearby stations for each grid cell were regressed to the elevation and the selected linear regression equations with the 270m DEM were used to generate a digital precipitation map of South Korea at 270m resolution. Among 1.25 million grid cells, precipitation estimates at 166 cells, where the measurements were made by the Korea Water Corporation rain gauge network, were extracted and the monthly estimation errors were evaluated. An average of 10% reduction in the root mean square error (RMSE) was found for any months with more than 100mm monthly precipitation compared to the RMSE associated with the original 5km PRISM estimates. This modified PRISM may be used for rainfall mapping in rainy season (May to September) at much higher spatial resolution than the original PRISM without losing the data accuracy.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.703-710
• /
• 2005

Data from Hanwoo steers and bull calves were analyzed to see the phenotypic and genetic relationships between carcass traits from four different covariance models. Four models fit test station and test period as fixed effect of contemporary group and sire as random effect assuming paternal half-sib relationships among animals. Each model fits one of linear covariate (s) of different slaughter end points-age at slaughter in the first order, age at slaughter in the first and second order, slaughter weight or back fat thickness at 12-13th rib of cold carcass. Age at slaughter in its second order was not significant. Age at slaughter accounted for signifi- cant amount of genetic variances and covariances of carcass traits. Heritability estimates of back fat thickness, rib eye area, carcass weight, marbling score and dressing percentage were 0.34, 0.22, 0.24, 0.42 and 0.18, respectively at constant age basis. The genetic correlation between carcass weight and the other variables were all positive and low to high in magnitude. Genetic correlations between back fat thickness and rib eye area and between marbling score and dressing percentage were low but negative. Variance and covariance structure between these traits were shifted to a great extent when these variables were regressed on slaughter weight or on back fat thickness. These two covariates counteracted to each other but they adjusted each carcass variable or their interrelationship according to differential growth of body components, bone, muscle and fat. Slaughter weight tended to decrease genetic variances and covariances of carcass weight and between component traits and back fat thickness tended to increase those of rib eye area and between rib eye area and carcass weight.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2016

This study investigated the removal of Sr, which was one of the high radioactive nuclides, by adsorption with Barium (Ba) impregnated 4A zeolite (BaA) from high-radioactive seawater waste (HSW). Adsorption of Sr by BaA (BaA-Sr), in the impregnated Ba concentration of above 20.2wt%, was decreased by increasing the impregnated Ba concentration, and the impregnated Ba concentration was suitable at 20.2wt%. The BaA-Sr adsorption was added to the co-precipitation of Sr with $BaSO_4$ precipitation in the adsorption of Sr by 4A (4A-Sr) within BaA. Thus, it was possible to remove Sr more than 99% at m/V (adsorbent weight/solution volume)=5 g/L for BaA and m/V >20 g/L for 4A, respectively, in the Sr concentration of less than 0.2 mg/L (actual concentration level of Sr in HSW). It shows that BaA-Sr adsorption is better than 4A-Sr adsorption in for the removal capacity of Sr per unit gram of adsorbent, and the reduction of the secondary solid waste generation (spent adsorbent etc.). Also, BaA-Sr adsorption was more excellent removal capacity of Sr in the seawater waste than distilled water. Therefore, it seems to be effective for the direct removal of Sr from HSW. On the other hand, the adsorption of Cs by BaA (BaA-Cs) was mainly performed by 4A within BaA. Accordingly, it seems to be little effect of impregnated Ba into BaA. Meanwhile, BaA-Sr adsorption kinetics could be expressed the pseudo-second order rate equation. By increasing the initial Sr concentrations and the ratios of V/m, the adsorption rate constants ($k_2$) were decreased, but the equilibrium adsorption capacities ($q_e$) were increasing. However, with increasing the temperature of solution, $k_2$ was conversely increased, and $q_e$ was decreased. The activation energy of BaA-Sr adsorption was 38 kJ/mol. Thus, the chemical adsorption seems to be dominant rather than physical adsorption, although it is not a chemisorption with strong bonding form.