• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2013

Purpose: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme ${\alpha}$-L-iduronidase, which leads to a broad spectrum of multisystemic manifestations. Short stature and decreased growth velocity are prominent features of MPS I. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) on growth of Korean MPS I patients from a single center. Methods: Height data were obtained by retrospective chart review of 10 Korean patients with MPS I who had received ERT for a minimum of 3 years. Height was expressed as standard deviation scores (SDS) based on normative data. Annual growth rates were calculated before and during ERT. A piecewise regression model was used to analyze height z-scores before and after treatment. Individual analysis was performed for impact of phenotype [(severe (Hurler) versus attenuated (Hurler-Scheie, Scheie)] on growth. Results: Annual growth was 3.3 cm (z-score= -0.21) in the year before ERT and 6.2 cm (z-score= 0.17), 5.8 cm (z-score= 0.07), and 3.8 cm (z-score= -0.4) in the first, second, and third years of ERT, respectively. Regression analysis showed improvement in the slope after ERT (difference= 0.04; P=0.022). Estimated slope differences between severe and attenuated phenotypes were statistically significant before (P=0.001) and after treatment (P<0.0001), although no significant difference was noted when stratified by phenotype. Conclusion: ERT with aldurazyme appears to have a positive impact on linear growth in patients with MPS I.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.361-373
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• 1999

Objectives: Receive Operating Characteristic(ROC) curve with the area under the ROC curve(AUC) is one of the most popular indicator to evaluate the criterion validity of the measurement tool. This study was conducted to develop a standardized questionnaire to discriminate workers at high-risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders using ROC analysis. Methods: The diagnostic results determined by rehabilitation medicine specialists in 370 persons(89 shipyard CAD workers, 113 telephone directory assistant operators, 79 women with occupation, and 89 housewives) were compared with participant's own replies to 'the questionnair on the worker's subjective physical symptoms'(Kwon, 1996). The AUC's from four models with different methods in item selection and weighting were compared with each other. These 4 models were applied to 225 persons, working in an assembly line of motor vehicle, for the purpose of AUC reliability test. Results: In a weighted model with 11 items, the AUC was 0.8155 in the primary study population, and 0.8026 in the secondary study population(p=0.3780). It was superior in the aspects of discriminability, reliability and convenience. A new questionnaire of musculoskeletal disorder could be constructed by this model. Conclusion: A more valid questionnaire with a small number of items and the quantitative weight scores useful for the relative comparisons are the main results of this study. While the absolute reference value applicable to the wide range of populations was not estimated, the basic intent of this study, developing a surveillance fool through quantitative validation of the measures, would serve for the systematic disease prevention activities.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.576-583
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• 2008

Purpose : The identification of specific behaviors conducive to overeating or inactivity is the cornerstone of obesity management. The Committee on Nutrition of the Korean Pediatric Society developed parent and self-reporting questionnaires about eating behavior and physical activity in 2006. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the questionnaires in assessing modifiable lifestyle factors related to obesity. Methods : A retrospective chart review was performed for 177 children (6-11 years old) and 134 adolescents (12-16 years old) from 10 hospitals between May 2006 and January 2007 who had completed parent or self-reporting questionnaires. Cases were divided into normal and overweight groups at or above the age-gender-specific 85th percentile based on 2007 Korean national growth charts. Results : Compared to children, the adolescents tended to have a significantly more sedentary lifestvle and inappropriate dietary behaviors significantly (P<.05). Overweight mothers were significantly associated with overweight children and adolescents (P<.05). Being overweight was significantly associated with a family history of adult diseases for children and adolescents (P<.05). Inappropriate eating behaviors (strong appetite, eating fast, eating until they were full, binge eating, favoring greasy foods) were associated with being overweight in children and adolescents. Sedentary activity such as TV viewing and using a computer were significantly associated with overweight in children and adolescents (P<.05). Conclusion : Intervention to modify obesity-related lifestyle factors is needed before adolescence. These questionnaires are useful in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors and in individual counseling for overweight children and adolescents in pediatric clinics.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2009

Purpose: Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements need to be precise enough to be capable of detecting small changes in bone mass of rats. Using a regular dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), we measured many BMD of various skeletal sites in rats to examine precision of DXA in relation to the repositioning on the bones of rats. Materials and Methods: Using DXA and small animal software, scans were performed 4 times in all 12 male rats without repositioning (Group 1a). Another four scans for 6 of 12 rats were done with repositioning between scans (Group 2). Customized regions of interest (ROIs), encapsulate the right hind limb, L1-4, skull and pelvic bones were drawn at each measurement. The precision of the measurements was evaluated by measuring the coefficient of variation (CV) of four measurements of BMD at each skeletal site of all rats with or without repositioning. Significance of differences between group 1b (six rats out of group 1a, which were come under group 2) and group2 were evaluated with Wilcoxon Signed Rank Sum Test. Results: CVs obtained at different skeletal sites of all measurements in Group 1b and 2. It was $3.51{\pm}1.20$, $ 2.62{\pm}1.20$ for the hindlimb (p=0.173), $3.83{\pm}2.02$, $4.59{\pm}2.02$ for L1-4 (p=0.600), $3.73{\pm}1.87$, $1.53{\pm}0.89$ for skull (p=0.046), and $2.92{\pm}0.60$, $1.45{\pm}0.60$ for pelvic bones (p=0.075). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the DXA technique has the precision necessary when used to assess BMD for various skeletal sites in rats regardless of repositioning.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.275-285
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• 2013

Purpose : The objective of this study was to investigate effects of different smoothing kernel sizes on brain tissue-masked susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) obtained from normal elderly subjects using voxel-based analyses. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy human volunteers (mean $age{\pm}SD$ = $67.8{\pm}6.09$ years, 14 females and 6 males) were studied after informed consent. A fully first-order flow-compensated three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo sequence ran to obtain axial magnitude and phase images to generate SWI data. In addition, sagittal 3D T1-weighted images were acquired with the magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient-echo sequence for brain tissue segmentation and imaging registration. Both paramagnetically (PSWI) and diamagnetically (NSWI) phase-masked SWI data were obtained with masking out non-brain tissues. Finally, both tissue-masked PSWI and NSWI data were smoothed using different smoothing kernel sizes that were isotropic 0, 2, 4, and 8 mm Gaussian kernels. The voxel-based comparisons were performed using a paired t-test between PSWI and NSWI for each smoothing kernel size. Results: The significance of comparisons increased with increasing smoothing kernel sizes. Signals from NSWI were greater than those from PSWI. The smoothing kernel size of four was optimal to use voxel-based comparisons. The bilaterally different areas were found on multiple brain regions. Conclusion: The paramagnetic (positive) phase mask led to reduce signals from high susceptibility areas. To minimize partial volume effects and contributions of large vessels, the voxel-based analysis on SWI with masked non-brain components should be utilized.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2008

Objective: To reduce urinary side effects in prostate cancer patients receiving radiation, patients were asked to drink certain amount of water to maintain bladder volume constant and the bladder volumes were measured weekly using ultrasound scanner. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients with prostate cancer who received radiation between December 2002 and August 2007 were enrolled in this study. Thirteen patients were enrolled in experimental group. These patients were asked to drink 450 cc of water, one hour prior to simulation, CT scan, and treatment. The other thirteen patients were given no information about bladder filing. Bladder, prostate, and rectum were contoured on CT and volumes were calculated. 3D conformal treatment planning was performed and effective volumes of bladder were calculated when a prescription dose of 70.2 Gy was delivered. For the patients in experimental group, bladder volumes were measured weekly using ultrasound scanner for 6-8 weeks and the bladder volume variations were analyzed. Results: Average bladder volumes and standard deviations obtained at CT scanning were $283.5{\pm}114.0\;cc$ (40%) and $181.2{\pm}120.1\;cc$ (66%) in experimental and control groups, respectively. Although it was not statistically significant, there was correlation between the bladder volumes measured from CT and ultrasound. The volumes measured using ultrasound scanner were 62% lower than the volumes using CT images on average. There was significant variations in volumes measured weekly for 6-8 weeks. It ranged between 33 - 75 %. Conclusion: Our results showed that it is possible to obtain larger bladder volume if they are asked to drink certain amount of water prior to CT scan. However, patients were unable to maintain constant bladder volumes over the 6-8 weeks of treatment period although they were asked to drink constant amount of water.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.460-467
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to enhance utilization of the waste nutrient solution (WNS) disposed at the hydroponic greenhouse. Several sets of testing were conducted to examine the effects of WNS: (a) a fertilizer effect, (b) soil column leaching, and (c) crop cultivation. The fertilizer effect test was applied in young radish cultivation by examining the growth characteristics of young radish and soil based on inorganic nitrogen according to the soil treatment of the nitrogen fertilizer (NF) and the WNS. The fertilizer effects and crop cultivation test were conducted with five treatments (A-E): A, non-treatment (water); B, 100% of NF; C, 70% of NF + 30% of WNS; D, 50% of NF + 50% of WNS; and E, 30% of NF + 70% of WNS. The soil column leaching test was conducted with three treatments: non-treatment (water), 100% of NF, 50% of WNS + 50% of NF. As a result, the chemical properties of the WNS were pH 6.0, EC 2.4dS·m^-1, total phosphorus (T-P) 28mg·L^-1, ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) 5.0mg·L^-1, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) 301mg·L^-1. The chemical properties of the soil were pH 5.51, EC 0.31dS/m, organic matter 2.08g·kg^-1, NO₃-N 9.64mg·kg^-1, and NH₄-N 3.20mg·kg^-1. The results of fertilizer effects showed that the ratio of 50% or less of NF and 50% or more of WNS was high in young radish growth. There was no statistically significant difference between the soil chemistry in the C-E treatments where WNS was mixed with NF and the B treatment where only NF was applied. As a result of the soil column leaching test, there was no significant difference in the concentrations of NO₃ and NH₄ in the treatment of 100% of NF and 50% of NF + 50% of WNS. The study indicates, if the mixed fertilizer of WNS and NF is applied in the soil cultivation of young radish, it will reduce the use of NF and environmental pollution. This also helps reduce production costs on farmers and increase the yield of young radish.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.669-679
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• 2022

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of pediatric low-dose facial CT reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) using adequate kernels. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and imaging data of children aged < 10 years who underwent facial CT at our emergency department. The patients were divided into two groups: low-dose CT (LDCT; Group A, n = 73) with a fixed 80-kVp tube potential and automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) and standard-dose CT (SDCT; Group B, n = 40) with a fixed 120-kVp tube potential and ATCM. All images were reconstructed with FBP using bone and soft tissue kernels in Group A and only bone kernel in Group B. The groups were compared in terms of image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Two radiologists subjectively scored the overall image quality of bony and soft tissue structures. The CT dose index volume and dose-length product were recorded. Results Image noise was higher in Group A than in Group B in bone kernel images (p < 0.001). Group A using a soft tissue kernel showed the highest SNR and CNR for all soft tissue structures (all p < 0.001). In the qualitative analysis of bony structures, Group A scores were found to be similar to or higher than Group B scores on comparing bone kernel images. In the qualitative analysis of soft tissue structures, there was no significant difference between Group A using a soft tissue kernel and Group B using a bone kernel with a soft tissue window setting (p > 0.05). Group A showed a 76.9% reduction in radiation dose compared to Group B (3.2 ± 0.2 mGy vs. 13.9 ± 1.5 mGy; p < 0.001). Conclusion The addition of a soft tissue kernel image to conventional CT reconstructed with FBP enables the use of pediatric low-dose facial CT protocol while maintaining image quality.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.244-254
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• 2002

Purpose: This study investigated the differences between technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m ECD) and technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (Tc-99m HMPAO) uptake in the normal brain by means of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed age and sex matched 53 cases of normal brain SPECT. Thirty-two cases were obtained with Tc-99m ECD and 21 cases with Tc-99m HMPAO. There were no abnormal findings on brain MRIs. All of the SPECT images were spatially transformed to standard space, smoothed and globally normalized. The differences between the Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT images were statistically analyzed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM'99) software. The differences bgetween the two groups were considered significant ant a threshold of corrected P values less than 0.05. Results: SPM analysis revealed significantly different uptakes of Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPAO in the normal brains. On the Tc-99m ECD SPECT images, relatively higher uptake was observed in the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes, in the basal ganglia and thalamus, and in the superior region of the cerebellum. On the Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT images, relatively higher uptakes was observed in subcortical areas of the frontal region, temporal lobe, and posterior portion of inferior cerebellum. Conclusion: Uptake of Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPO in the normallooking brain was significantly different on SPM analysis. The selective use of Tc-99m ECD of Tc-99m HMPAO in brain SPECT imaging appears especially valuable for the interpretation of cerebral perfusion. Further investigation is necessary to determine which tracer is more accurate for diagnosing different clinical conditions.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.559-568
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• 2007

Recently, copy number variations (CNV) of genes or genomic segments have been intensively studied and various analysis methods have been developed. In this study, quantitative oligonucleotide ligation assay (qOLA) was applied to investigate CNV of KIT gene in the Landrace breed. A combined assay using qOLA and pyrosequencing, 6 genotype classes, I1/I1 or I3/i (IBe), I1/I2 or I3/IP, I1/I3, I1/IP or I2/i (IBe), I2/I2and I2/IP, were identified from 44 Landrace pigs. Genotype assignment using grouping features of measurements on a scatter plot showed 100% agreement with those using a statistical assignment by PROC FASTCLUS procedure implemented in the SAS package. Two versions (3100 and 3130) of ABI sequencers gave the same genotyping results, indicating there was no influence on qOLA by different versions of instrument, however, the means of standard deviation and coefficient of variation from the qOLA on a ABI 3130 (2.33 and 4.10) was lower than those from the qOLA on a ABI 3100 (2.67 and 4.81). Effect of proteinase K treatment on the PCR product followed by qOLA was very clear because noise peaks were disappeared and the observed ration fit better to the reference ratio corresponding to each genotype.