• Title/Summary/Keyword: 동반 성장

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A Study on Batch-Type Remote Plasma Dry Cleaning Process for Native Oxide Removal (배치식 플라즈마 세정 설비를 이용한 자연산화막 제거 공정)

  • Park, Jae-Young;Yi, Wook-Yeol;Hyung, Yong-Woo;Nam, Seok-Woo;Lee, Hyeon-Deok;Song, Chang-Lyong;Kang, Ho-Kyu;Roh, Yong-Han
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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    • 2004.11a
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    • pp.247-251
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    • 2004
  • 반도체 소자의 제조에 있어 실리콘 표면에 성장한 자연산화막을 제거하기 위해 일반적으로 습식 세정 기술이 이용되어 왔다. 하지만 소자의 최소 선폭(design rule)이 nano급으로 고집적화 됨에 따라 contact hole 바닥의 자연산화막을 깨끗이 제거하는데 있어서 그 한계를 나타나고 있다. 이에 대한 효과적인 대안 공정으로 가스 건식 세정 기술이 연구되고 있다. 본 논문에서는 한 번에 50매 이상의 웨이퍼를 처리함으로써 생산성 측면에서 월등한 배치식 설비에서 원거리 플라즈마(remote plasma) 장치에서 2.450Hz의 마이크로웨이브(${\mu}$-wave)에 의해 형성시킨 수소라디칼과 $NF_3$ 가스를 이용하여 실리콘에 결함을 주지 않고 자연산화막을 선택적으로 제거하는 공정에 대해 고찰하였다. AFM을 이용한 표면분석, TEM을 이용한 물성분석, 그리고 ToF-SIMS 및 XPS를 이용한 화학 분석을 습식 및 건식 세정을 비교 평가한 결과, 건식 세정 공정이 실리콘 표면에 결함을 주지 않고 자연산화막을 제거 할 수 있음을 확인하였다. 산화막$(SiO_2)$, 질화막$(Si_3N_4)$, 그리고 다결정 실리콘(Poly-Si) 등의 각 막질별 식각 특성을 고찰하였으며, $NH_3$의 캐리어 가스인 $N_2$의 주입량을 조절함으로써 수소라디칼 형성 효율의 개선이 가능하였으며, 이로부터 게이트와 소스/드레인 사이를 절연하기 위해 이용되는 질화막의 식각 선택비를 2배 정도 개선할 수 있었다. nano급 소자에 실장하여 평가한 결과에서 불산(HF)에 의한 습식 세정 방식에 비하여 약 $20{\sim}50%$ 정도의 contact 저항 감소 효과가 있음이 확인되었다.두 소자 모두 $40mA/cm^2$ 에서 이상적인 화이트 발란스와 같은(0.33,0.33)의 색좌표를 보였다.epsilon}_0=1345$의 빼어난 압전 및 유전특성과 $330^{\circ}C$의 높은 $T_c$를 보였고 그 조성의 vibration velocity는 약4.5 m/s로 나타났다.한 관심이 높아지고 있다. 그러나 고 자장 영상에서의 rf field 에 의한 SAR 증가는 중요한 제한 요소로 부각되고 있다. 나선주사영상은 SAR 문제가 근원적으로 발생하지 않고, EPI에 비하여 하드웨어 요구 조건이 낮아 고 자장에서의 고속영상방법으로 적합하다. 본 논문에서는 고차 shimming 을 통하여 불균일도를 개선하고, single shot 과 interleaving 을 적용한 multi-shot 나선주사영상 기법으로 $100{\times}100$에서 $256{\times}256$의 고해상도 영상을 얻어 고 자장에서 초고속영상기법으로 다양한 적용 가능성을 보였다. 연구에서 연구된 $[^{18}F]F_2$가스는 친핵성 치환반응으로 방사성동위원소를 도입하기 어려운 다양한 방사성의 약품개발에 유용하게 이용될 수 있을 것이다.었으나 움직임 보정 후 영상을 이용하여 비교한 경우, 결합능 변화가 선조체 영역에서 국한되어 나타나며 그 유의성이 움직임 보정 전에 비하여 낮음을 알 수 있었다. 결론: 뇌활성화 과제 수행시에 동반되는 피험자의 머리 움직임에 의하여 도파민 유리가 과대평가되었으며 이는 이 연구에서 제안한 영상정합을 이용한 움직임 보정기법에 의해서 개선되었다. 답이 없는 문제, 문제 만들기, 일반화가 가능한 문제 등으로 보고, 수학적 창의성 중 특히 확산적 사고에 초점을 맞추어 개방형 문제가 확

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Clinical Manifestation and Treatment Outcome of Lupus Nephritis in Children (소아 루프스 신염의 임상양상 및 치료결과)

  • Park Jee-Min;Shin Jae-Il;Kim Pyung-Kil;Lee Jae-Seung
    • Childhood Kidney Diseases
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.155-168
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    • 2002
  • Purpose; Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is an autoimmune disease with multi-system involvement and renal damage is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Renal involvement is more common and severe in children than in adults. Therefore, renal biopsy plays a crucial role in planning effective therapy. In this study, we investigated the clinical and pathological findings of lupus nephritis in children to aid clinical care of the disease. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 40 patients who were diagnosed as SLE with renal involvement in Shinchon Severance Hospital from Jan. 1990 to Sep. 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The ratio of male to female patients was 1:3 and the median age at diagnosis was 12.1(2-18) years old. FANA(95.0%), anti-ds DNA antibody(87.5%), malar rash(80.0%) were the most common findings among the classification criteria by ARA. Microscopic hematuria with proteinuria(75.0%), nephrotic syndrome(55.0%), and microscopic hematuria alone(15.0%) were the most common renal presentations in the respective order at diagnosis. There were 27 cases with WHO class IV lupus nephritis confirmed by renal biopsy and 3 cases with pathological changes of WHO class type. Different treatment modalities were carried out : prednisolone only in 5 cases, prednisol-one+azat-hioprine in 9 cases, prednisolone+azathioprine+intravenous cyclophosphamide in 14 cases, prednisolone+cyclosporine A+intravenous cyclophosphamide in 12 cases, plasma exchange in 9 cases and intravenous gamma-globulin in 2 cases. The average follow-up period was $51.8{\pm}40.5$ months. During $51.8{\pm}40.5$ months. During follow-up, 4 patients expired. The risk factors associated with mortality were male, WHO class IV and acute renal failure at diagnosis. Conclusion: Renal involvement was noted in 63.5% of childhood SLE, and 67.5% of renal lesion was WHO class IV lupus nephritis which is known to be associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore aggressive treatment employing immunosuppressant during the early stages of disease could be helpful in improving long-term prognosis. But careful attention should be given to optimize the treatment due to unique problems associated with growth, psychosocial development and gonadal toxicity, especially in children.

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The Measurement of $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ Pulmonary Clearance in Normals, Asymptomatic Smokers and Diabetic Patients (정상 성인, 무증상 흡연자, 당뇨병 환자에서 $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ 폐제거율의 측정)

  • Kim, In-Ju;Kim, Seong-Jang;Kim, Yong-Ki;Kim, Yun-Seong;Lee, Min-Ki;Park, Soon-Kew
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.266-275
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    • 1998
  • Purpose: We measured pulmonary epithelial permeability by $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ radioaerosol clearance in patients with diabetes and correlated with the presence of microangiopathy to understand the pathophysiology of pulmonary microangiopathy and evaluate $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ radioaerosol clearance as a diagnostic test to assess pulmonary microangiopathy. Materials and Methods: We performed $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ radioaerosol scan in 10 normal subjects, 10 asymptomatic smokers, 20 diabetic patients without history of smoking (10 with microangiopathy, 10 without microangiopathy). $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ clearance half-time ($T_{1/2}$) was calculated, then compared with the result of chest radiography and pulmonary function test. Results: Chest radiography and pulmonary function test were normal in all subjects. There were no significant difference of clinical or laboratory characteristics between these groups except age. The diabetic patients with microangiopathy were significantly older (p<0.05). The $T_{1/2}$ of normal subjects and asymptomatic smokers were significantly different ($65.2{\pm}23.7min$ vs $39.6{\pm}9.8min$, p<0.05). For diabetic patients with microangiopathy, the $T_{1/2}$ was $90.5{\pm}46.5min$ and significantly delayed when compared with those of normals and asymptomatic smokers (p<0.05). However, the $T_{1/2}$ of diabetic patients without microangiopathy, $70.0{\pm}12.7min$, was not significantly different from those of normals or asymptomatic smokers (p>0.05). No significant correlation was found between the $T_{1/2}$ and spirometric parameters including DLco, FVC, $FEV_1,\;FEV_1/FVC$ (%) and $FEF_{25-75%}$ in all subjects, and between the $T_{1/2}$ and duration of diabetes ;in diabetic patients. Conclusion: Eventhough the influence of age can't be excluded, delayed $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ clearance half-time ($T_{1/2}$) in diabetic patients with microangiopathy indicates decreased pulmonary capillary permeability as one of the pathophysiologic results of pulmonary microangiopaththy. Further studies are needed in larger number of age matched control and diabetic patients to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy.

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Management of Non-pain Symptoms in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: Based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines (말기암환자에서 통증 외 증상의 관리: 최신 NCCN(National Comprehensive Cancer Netweork) 권고안을 중심으로)

  • Lee, Hye Ran
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.205-215
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    • 2013
  • Most terminally ill cancer patients experience various physical and psychological symptoms during their illness. In addition to pain, they commonly suffer from fatigue, anorexia-cachexia syndrome, nausea, vomiting and dyspnea. In this paper, I reviewed some of the common non-pain symptoms in terminally ill cancer patients, based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to better understand and treat cancer patients. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom in terminally ill cancer patients. There are reversible causes of fatigue, which include anemia, sleep disturbance, malnutrition, pain, depression and anxiety, medical comorbidities, hyperthyroidism and hypogonadism. Energy conservation and education are recommended as central management for CRF. Corticosteroid and psychostimulants can be used as well. The anorexia and cachexia syndrome has reversible causes and should be managed. It includes stomatitis, constipation and uncontrolled severe symptoms such as pain or dyspnea, delirium, nausea/vomiting, depression and gastroparesis. To manage the syndrome, it is important to provide emotional support and inform the patient and family of the natural history of the disease. Megesteol acetate, dronabinol and corticosteroid can be helpful. Nausea and vomiting will occur by potentially reversible causes including drug consumption, uremia, infection, anxiety, constipation, gastric irritation and proximal gastrointestinal obstruction. Metoclopramide, haloperidol, olanzapine and ondansetron can be used to manage nausea and vomiting. Dyspnea is common even in terminally ill cancer patients without lung disease. Opioids are effective for symptomatic management of dyspnea. To improve the quality of life for terminally ill cancer patients, we should try to ameliorate these symptoms by paying more attention to patients and understanding of management principles.

A Follow-Up Study of Cow's Milk-Sensitive Enteropathy: Clinical Outcome (우유 과민성 장병증(cow's milk-sensitive enteropathy)의 장기 추적관찰)

  • Song, Ae-Ryong;Choi, Eun-Jin;Han, Chang-Ho;Chung, Hai-Lee;Kwon, Young-Dae;Hwang, Jin-Bok
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.47-53
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    • 2001
  • Purpose: Following up the cases of cow's milk-sensitive enteropathy (CMSE), We observed the development of clinical tolerance with cow's milk and other foods. We investigated the clinical outcome of CMSE. Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of patients who had been admitted and diagnosed as CMSE by responses to cow's milk challenge and elimination test and the findings of small intestinal biopsy at Department of Pediatrics, Taegu Catholic University Hospital from March 1992 to March 1997. All of them were being fed with protein hydrolysate before 6 months old, and tried cow's milk and other foods challenge test at following each two month. Twenty-one cases of them returned to be followed. The age at admission was $30.7{\pm}8.8$ (18~47) days old and at survey was $43.4{\pm}23.7$ (16~84) months old. Results: 1) Although the body weight at birth of the patients was 25~75 percentile, all on admission was below 3 percentile. The body weight on interview was 25~75 percentile. 2) The development of clinical tolerance in cow's milk was observed at 16~24 months of age and the tolerance rate was 61% at 12 months of age, 90% at 16 months of age. The development of clinical tolerance in other foods was observed at 10~24 months of age and the tolerance rate was 33% at 12 months of age, 80% at 18 months of age. 3) Adverse reactions after challenge test with cow's milk were observed at 19 cases, manifestated as vomiting (31%), diarrhea (31%), irritability or lethargy (21%), skin rash (10%), and abdominal distention (5%). 4) Comparing serum IgE and milk RAST positive group on admission (5 cases) and negative group on admission (16 cases), there was no significant difference at the age of tolerance in cow's milk (p>0.05), the age of tolerance in other foods (p>0.05), allergy history in family, and the incidence of other allergic diseases. 5) The history of family allergy was observed in 3 cases (14%) in 21 patients and 3 cases (14%) showed rhinitis, urticaria or asthma through a follow-up interview. Conclusion: The development of clinical tolerance in cow's and other foods was sharply increased at 12 months of age and most of all tolerated within 24 months of age. CMSE is a temporary disorder of infancy.

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Surgical Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia After Total Correction of Tetralogy of Fallot- Report of a case (TOF 완전교정술후 발생한 심실빈맥의 외과적 절제술 -치험1례보고-)

  • 장병철;김정택
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.29 no.6
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    • pp.639-645
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    • 1996
  • A 14-year-old male patient with previous surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot was admitted with hemodynamically significant ventricular tachycardia (VT). On preoperative electrophysiologic study (EPS), the morphology of documented VT was RBBB of vertical axis with 320 msec cycle length. The endocardial mapping during VT delineated the origin of VT at right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), where the patch was attached. The clinical VT had a clockwise reentry circuit around the patch with the earliest activation at the same site seen during the preoperative EPS. The previously placed right ventricular outflow patch and fibrous tissue were removed. During a postoperative EPS, it was no longer possible to induce the VT. Ventricular tachycardia following repair of tetralogy of Fallot seen in this patient was caused by a macro-reentry around the right ventricular outflow patch. We were able to ablate the VT with the aid of a detailed mapping of its epicardial activation sequence.

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Hepatobiliary Dysfunction in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Supported with Parenteral Nutrition (정맥영양 극소저체중출생아의 간담도 기능 이상)

  • Lee, Youn-Hee;Bin, Joong-Hyun;Lee, Ju-Young;Lee, Hyun-Seung;Lee, Jung-Hyun;Kim, So-Young;Sung, In-Kyung;Chun, Chung-Sik
    • Neonatal Medicine
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.197-204
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of hepatobiliary dysfunction (HD) at our hospital and determine the possible risk factors and complications associated with the development of HD in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) treated with parenteral nutrition (PN). Methods: A retrospective study of VLBWI (n=92) that required PN between 2004 and 2008 in the NICU at the Bucheon St. Marys Hospital of Catholic University was performed. HD was defined by a direct bilirubin (DB) >2 mg and a transaminase of 60 IU/L defined cholestasis and liver injury. Groups I, II, and III were limited to cases of cholestasis, liver injury without cholestasis, and no abnormalities, respectively. The VLBWI were compared to each other. Results: Thirty-six subjects (39.1%) had cholestasis and 51 (55.4%) had liver injury. In addition, 36 (39.1%), 19 (20.7%), and 37 (40.2%) subjects were classified as groups I, II, and III, respectively. The three groups showed significant differences in gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, use of surfactant, duration of parenteral nutrition, frequency of RBC transfusions, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (P<0.05). The multiple regression analysis with cholestasis as the dependent variable, showed a significant correlation with gestational age, use of surfactant, frequency of RBC transfusions, and PDA. Conclusion: Various factors, such as birth weight, gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, use of surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), frequency of RBC transfusions, BPD, and PDA may be related to hepatobiliary dysfunction in VLBWI treated with PN.

Real-Time 3D Ultrasound Imaging Method Using a Cross Array Based on Synthetic Aperture Focusing: II. Linear Wave Front Transmission Approach (합성구경 기반의 교차어레이를 이용한 실시간 3차원 초음파 영상화 기법 : II. 선형파면 송신 방법)

  • 김강식;송태경
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.25 no.5
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    • pp.403-414
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    • 2004
  • In the accompanying paper, we proposed a real. time volumetric imaging method using a cross array based on receive dynamic focusing and synthetic aperture focusing along lateral and elevational directions, respetively. But synthetic aperture methods using spherical waves are subject to beam spreading with increasing depth due to the wave diffraction phenomenon. Moreover, since the proposed method uses only one element for each transmission, it has a limited transmit power. To overcome these limitations, we propose a new real. time volumetric imaging method using cross arrays based on synthetic aperture technique with linear wave fronts. In the proposed method, linear wave fronts having different angles on the horizontal plane is transmitted successively from all transmit array elements. On receive, by employing the conventional dynamic focusing and synthetic aperture methods along lateral and elevational directions, respectively, ultrasound waves can be focused effectively at all imaging points. Mathematical analysis and computer simulation results show that the proposed method can provide uniform elevational resolution over a large depth of field. Especially, since the new method can construct a volume image with a limited number of transmit receive events using a full transmit aperture, it is suitable for real-time 3D imaging with high transmit power and volume rate.

A Case of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome with Co-morbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment (지속적(持續的) 상기도(上氣道) 양압술(陽壓術)을 시행(施行)하여 치료효과(治療效果)를 본 주의력(注意力) 결핍(缺乏).과잉(過剩) 운동장애(運動障碍)를 동반(同伴)한 소아기(小兒基) 폐쇄성(閉鎖性) 수면무호흡증(睡眠無呼吸症) 1례(例))

  • Sohn, Chang-Ho;Shin, Min-Sup;Hong, Kang-E;Jeong, Do-Un
    • Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.85-95
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    • 1996
  • Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) in childhood is unique and different n-om that in adulthood in several aspects, including pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic criteria, complications, management, and prognosis. Characteristic features of childhood OSAS in comparison with the adult form are the variety of severe complications such as developmental delay, more prominent behavioral and cognitive impairments, vivid cardiovascular symptoms, and increased death risk, warranting a special attention to the possible diagnosis of OSAS in children who snore. However, the childhood OSAS is often neglected and unrecognized. We, therefore, report a case of very severe OSAS in a 5-year-old boy who was sucessfully treated with continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) treatment. Interestingly, the patient was comor-bid with the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prior to the initial visit to us, adenotonsillectomy had been done at the age of 4 with no significant improvement of apneic symptoms and heavy snoring. On the initial diagnostic procedures, marked degree of snoring was audible even in the daytime wake state and the patient was observed to be very hyperactive. Increased pulmonary vascularity with borderline cardiomegaly was noted on chest X-ray. The baseline polysomnography revealed that the patient was very sleep-apneic and snored very heavily, with the respiratory disturbance index(RDI) of 46.9 per hour of sleep, the mean SaO2 of 78.8%, and the lowest SaO2 of 40.0%(the lowest detectable oxygen level by the applied oxymeter). The second night polysomnography was done for CPAP titration and the optimal pressure turned out to be $8.0\;cmH_2O$. The applied CPAP treatment was well tolerated by the patient and was found to be very effective in alleviating heavy snoring and severe repetitive sleep apneas. After 18 months of the CPAP treatment, the patient was followed up with nocturnal polysomnography(baseline and CPAP nights) and clinical examination. Sleep apneas were still present without CPAP on the baseline night. However, the severity of OSAS was significantly decreased(RDI of 15.7, mean SaO2 of 96.2%, and the lowest SaO2 of 83.0%), compared to the initial polysomnographic findings before initiation of long-term CPAP treatment. Wechsler intelligence tests done before and after the CPAP treatment were compared with each other and surprising improvement of intelligence(total 9 points, performance 16 points) was noted. Clinically he was found to be markedly improved in his attention deficit hyperactive behavior after CPAP treatment, but with minimal change of TOVA(test of variables of attention) scores except conversion of reaction time score into normal range. On the chest X-ray taken after 18 months of CPAP application, the initial cardiopulmonary abnormalities were not found at all. We found that the CPAP treatment in a young child is very effective, safe, and well-tolerated and also improves the co-morbid attention deficit hyperactive symptoms. Overall, the growth and development of the child has been facilitated with the long-term use of CPAP. Cardiovascular complications induced by OSAS have been also normalized with CPAP treatment. We suggest that early diagnosis and active treatment intervention of OSAS in children are crucial in preventing and ameliorating possible serious complications caused by repetitive sleep apneas and consequent hypoxic damage during sleep.

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Clinical Significance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Lung Cancer and Tuberculous Pleurisy (폐암 및 결핵성 흉막염에서 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor의 임상적 의의)

  • Im, Byoung-Kook;Oh, Yoou-Jung;Sheen, Seung-Soo;Lee, Keu-Sung;Park, Kwang-Joo;Hwang, Sung-Chul;Lee, Yi-Hyeong;Choi, Jin-Hyuk;Lim, Ho-Young
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.50 no.2
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    • pp.171-181
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    • 2001
  • Background : Angiogenesis is an essential process for the growth and metastatic ability of solid tumors. One of the key factors known to be capable of stimulating tumor angiogenesis is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The serum VEGF concentration has been shown to be a useful parameter related to the clinical features and prognosis of lung cancer and has been recently applied to a the malignant pleural effusion showing a correlation with the biochemical parameters. The VEGF has been shown to play a role in the inflammatory diseases, but rarely in the tuberculosis (TB). The serum and pleural fluid VEGF levels were measured in patients with lung cancer and TB. Their relationship with the clinical and laboratory parameters and repeated measurement 3 months after various anticancer treatments were evaluated to assess the utility of the VEGF as a tumor marker. Methods : Using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the VEGF conoentration was measured in both sera and pleural effusions collected from a total of 85 patients with lung cancer, 13 patients with TB and 20 healthy individuals. Results : The serum VEGF levels in patients with lung cancer ($619.9{\pm}722.8pg/ml$) were significantly higher than those of healthy controls ($215.9{\pm}191.1pg/ml$), However, there was no significant difference between the VEGF levels in the lung cancer and TB patients. The serum VEGF levels were higher in large cell and undifferentiated carcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The serum VEGF levels of lung cancer patients revealed no significant relationship with the various clinical parameters. The VEGF concentrations in the malignant effusion ($2,228.1{\pm}2,103.0pg/ml$) were significantly higher than those in the TB effusion ($897.6{\pm}978.8pg/ml$). In the malignant pleural effusion, the VEGF levels revealed significant correlation with the number of red blood cells (r=0.75), the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)(r=0.70), and glucose concentration (r=-0.55) in the pleural fluid. Conclusion : The serum VEGF levels were higher in the lung cancer patients. The VEGF levels were more elevated in the malignant pleural effusion than in the tuberculous effusion. In addition, the VEGF levels in the pleural fluid were several times higher than the matched serum values suggesting a local activation and possible etiologic role of VEGF in the formation of malignant effusions. The pleural VEGF levels showed a significant correlation with the numbers of red blood cells, LDH and glucose concentrations in the pleural fluid, which may represent the tumor burden.

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