• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2011

Purpose: Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder which causes excessive copper accumulation in the hepatic region. So far, ATP7B gene is the only disease-causing gene of Wilson disease known to date. However, ATP7B mutations have not been found in ~15% of the patients. This study was performed to identify any causative gene in Wilson disease patients without an ATP7B mutation in either allele. Materials and Methods: The sequence of the coding regions and exon-intron boundaries of the five ATP7B-interacting genes, ATOX1, COMMD1, GLRX, DCTN4, and ZBTB16, were analyzed in the 12 patients with Wilson disease. Results: Three nonsynonymous variants including c.1084A>G (p.Thr362Ala) in the exon 12 of the DCTN4 gene were identified in the patients examined. Among these, only p.Thr362Ala was predicted as possibly damaging protein function by in silico analysis. Examination of allele frequency of c.1084A>G (p.Thr362Ala) variant in the 176 patients with Wilson disease and in the 414 normal subjects revealed that the variant was more prevalent in the Wilson disease patients (odds ratio [OR]=3.14, 95% confidence interval=1.36-7.22, P=0.0094). Conclusion: Our result suggests that c.1084A>G (p.Thr362Ala) in the ATP7B-interacting DCTN4 gene may be associated with the pathogenesis of Wilson disease.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.19-29
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• 2009

In this study, a numerical analysis was performed to predict the sequential behavior of anchored retaining wall where the failure accident took place, and verified accuracy of prediction through the comparisons between prediction and field measurement. The emphasis was given to the wall behaviors and the variation of sliding surface based on the two different methods of elasto-plastic and finite element (shear strength reduction technique). Through the comparison study, it is shown that the bending moment and the soil pressure at construction stages produce quite similar results in both the elasto-plastic and finite element method. However, predicted wall deflections using elasto-plastic method show underestimate results compared with measured deflections. This demonstrates that the elasto-plastic method does not clearly consider the influence of soil-wall-reinforcement interaction, so that the tension force (anchor force and earth pressure) on the wall is overestimated. Based on the results obtained, it is found that finite element method using shear strength reduction method can be effectively used to perform the back calculation analysis in the anchored retaining wall, whereas elasto-plastic method can be applicable to the preliminary design of retaining wall with suitable safety factor.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.861-866
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• 2023

Unlike conventional smart farms that require chemical fertilizers and large spaces, aquaponics farming, which utilizes the symbiotic relationship between aquatic organisms and crops to grow crops even in abnormal environments such as environmental pollution and climate change, is being actively researched. Different crops require different environments and nutrients for growth, so it is necessary to configure the ratio of aquatic organisms optimized for crop growth. This study proposes a method to measure the degree of growth based on area and volume using image processing techniques in an aquaponics environment. Tilapia, carp, catfish, and lettuce crops, which are aquatic organisms that produce organic matter through excrement, were tested in an aquaponics environment. Through 2D and 3D image analysis of lettuce and real-time data analysis, the growth degree was evaluated using the area and volume information of lettuce. The results of the experiment proved that it is possible to manage cultivation by utilizing the area and volume information of lettuce. It is expected that it will be possible to provide production prediction services to farmers by utilizing aquatic life and growth information. It will also be a starting point for solving problems in the changing agricultural environment.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2014

Purpose : A relative increase in deoxyhemoglobin levels in hypoperfused tissue can cause prominent hypointense signals in the draining veins (PHSV) within areas of impaired perfusion in susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of SWI in patients with acute cerebral infarction by evaluating PHSV within areas of impaired perfusion and to investigate the usefulness of PHSV in predicting prognosis of cerebral infarction. Materials and Methods: In 18 patients with acute cerebral infarction who underwent brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging and SWI and follow-up brain MRI or CT, we reviewed the presence and location of the PHSV within and adjacent to areas of cerebral infarction qualitatively and measured the signal intensity difference ratio of PHSVs to contralateral normal appearing cortical veins quantitatively on SWI. The relationship between the presence of the PHSV and the change in the extent of infarction in follow-up images was analyzed. Results: Of the 18 patients, 10 patients showed progression of the infarction, and 8 patients showed little change on follow- up imaging. On SWI, of the 10 patients with progression 9 patients showed peripheral PHSV and the newly developed infarctions corresponded well to area with peripheral PHSV on initial SWI. Only one patient without peripheral PHSV showed progression of the infarct. The patients with infarction progression revealed significantly higher presence of peripheral PHSV (p=0.0001) and higher mean signal intensity difference ratio (p=0.006) comparing to the patients with little change. Conclusion: SWI can demonstrate a peripheral PHSV as a marker of penumbra and with this finding we can predict the prognosis of acute infarction. The signal intensity difference of PHSV to brain tissue on SWI can be used in predicting prognosis of acute cerebral infarction.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2000

Purpose: This prospective study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative radioimmunoscintigraphy and intraoperative scintimetric examination (radioimmunoguided surgery: RIGS) using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ fragment. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients with rectal cancer underwent preoperative whole body planar scintigraphy at 4 hours after injection of $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ fragment and SPECT imaging at 18 hours. Surgical operation was performed at 24 hours after injection. During laparotomy, radioactivities from intraabdominal viscera were measured by gamma probe. The radioactivities from excised tumor and lymph nodes were also measured and compared with pathology. Results: All nineteen patients were confirmed to have adenocarcinomas in the rectum. Twenty-seven of 97 excised lymph node groups had metastasis and 2 patients had liver metastasis in pathology Preoperative radioimmunoscintigraphy detected primary tumors in 11 patients (sensitivity 55%) and it could not detect any lymph nodes or liver metastasis. All patients showed high radioactivity in the kidneys, liver, spleen, and major vessels in intraoperative measurement by gamma probe, and tumor activity was not discriminated from background activity However, radioactivity from excised tumor was higher than normal rectum (T/B ratio; $3.47{\pm}2.25$). When excised lymph node activity/background activity ratio >1.5 was considered as positive criteria of metastasis, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 78.6%, 73.9%, 55.0% and 89.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Radioimmunoscintigraphy using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ has no additional value for preoperative staging and use of early RIGS using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ is inappropriate. For early RIGS using $^{99m}Tc$ labeled antibodies in rectal cancer patients, further development of more specific antibodies and methods to reduce background activity are needed.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.190-199
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• 2003

Purpose: The aim of this study was to find out a clinically appliable method to insert a biodegradable solid material containing holmium-166-chitosan complex into the surgical field, and to evaluate the histological changes in the normal tissues after ${\beta}$ -ray irradiation from holmium-166 according to the dose, period and type of tissues. Materials and Methods: 3.0 mCi, 50 ${\mu}l$ of the liquid state $^{166}$Ho-chitosan complex was attached to the absorbable gelatin sponge. The radiation activity measured by dose caliberator was 1.5 mCi. These $^{166}$Ho-chitosan complex containing absorbable gelatin sponges were inserted into the thigh muscles and over the femur bones of the Wistar rats. The cases were evaluated at 2 weeks after insertion, and 4, 6 weeks with respect to the histological changes of the soft tissues and bone, the depth of the tissue necrosis, and the changes of the $^{166}$Ho-chitosan complex containing absorbable gelatin sponges. Results: At 2 weeks, the muscles showed coagulation necrosis, degenerating myocytes, regenerating myocytes, intermuscular edema, and inflammatory cells. The necrosis depth was 3.3 mm. In the bones, there was no osteocyte in the lacuna of cortex (empty lacuna), marrow fibrosis, inflammation. The necrosis depth was 2.9 mm. At 4 weeks, in the muscle, calcification and increased fibrosis with necrosis depth by 3.3 mm were the additional findings. In the bone, marrow fibrosis with necrosis depth by 3.3 mm were detected. At 6 weeks, soft tissue shrinkage, increased fibrosis and granulation tissue formation, and nearly resolving inflammatory reaction were the findings. Conclusion: The local application of the $^{166}$Ho-chitosan complex attached to biodegradable gelatin material with surgery in the laboratory animals resulted in no mortality and morbidity, and satisfactory tissue necrosis. Holmium-166 can be applied to the treatment of the malignant tumor patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.210-218
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• 2003

Background : Sex specific cross sectional reference values for the lung function indices usually employ a linear model with a term for age and height. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the body mass index (BMI), the fat percentage of the body mass and the fat-free mass index (FFMI) on the forced expiratory volume curve. Methods : Between January 2000 and December 2001, a total of 300 subjects, 150 men and 150 women (mean age : $45{\pm}13$ years), with a normal lung function were enrolled in the study sample. This study measured the $FEV_1$, FVC and $FEF_{25-75%}$ from the forced expiratory volume curve by a spirometer and the body composition by a bioelectrical impedance method in all subjects. Multiple regression analysis was used in order to examine the effects of the body composition on the parameters derived from the forced expiratory volume curve. Results : After adjusting for age, the BMI and Fat percentage improved the descriptions of the FVC (p<0.05, $r^2=0.491$) and $FEV_1$ (p<0.05, $r^2=0.654$) in women. In contrast, the FFMI contributed significantly to the FVC (p<0.05, $r^2=0.432$) and $FEV_1$ (p<0.05, $r^2=0.567$) in men. The $FEF_{25-75%}$ correlated with the fat percentage in women (p<0.05, $r^2=0.337$). Conclusion : These results suggest that the BMI, the fat percentage and the FFMI are significant determinants of the forced expiratory volume curve. The plmonary function test, when considering the BMI, the fat percentage and the FFMI, might be useful in clinical applications.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.650-663
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• 2009

The purposes of this study were to investigate one portion size of menus served and to evaluate nutrient intake of lunch at three elderly care facility food services located in Seoul. A weighed plate method was employed to measure plate wastes and consumption of the menus served. Yield factors were calculated from cooking experiments based on standardized recipes, and were used to evaluate nutrient intake. One hundred elderly participated in this study for measuring plate waste and were asked to complete questionnaire. Nutrient analyses for the served and consumed meal were performed using CAN program. The yield factors of rice dishes after cooking are 2.4 regardless of rice dish types, 1.58 for thick soups, 0.60 to 0.70 for meat dishes, and 1.0 to 1.25 branched vegetable. Average consumption quantity of dishes were 235.97 g for rice, 248.53 g for soup, 72.83 g for meat dishes, 39.80 g for vegetables and 28.36 g for Kimchi. On average the food waste rate is 14.0%, indicating the second highest plate waste percentage of Kimchi (26.2%), and meat/fish dish (17.3%). The evaluation results of NAR (Nutrition Adequacy Ratio) showed that iron (0.12), calcium (0.64), riboflavin (0.80), and folic acid (0.97) were less than 1.0 in both male and female elderly groups, indicating significant differences of NAR among three facilities. Compared to the 1/3 Dietary Reference Intake (DRIs) for the elderly groups, nutrient intake analysis demonstrated that calcium (100%) and iron (100%), followed by riboflavin, vitamin A, and Vitamin B6 did not met of the 1/3 EAR (Estimated Average Requirement). For the nutritious meal management, a professional dietitian should be placed at the elderly care center to develop standardized recipes in consideration of yield factors and the elderly's health and nutrition status.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.298-305
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• 2005

Purpose : We performed this study to evaluate the mean serum levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein(IGFBP)-2 and IGFBP-3 in healthy Korean children according to age and sex. Methods : Ninety two healthy children, consisting of 42 boys and 50 girls, were classified into five groups according to age : neonate; infancy; early childhood; late childhood; and adolescence. We measured serum levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and analysed the serum levels according to sex and age group. Results : For boys, the mean serum levels of IGF-I(ng/mL) in neonate, infancy, early childhood, late childhood and adolescence were $41.1{\pm}3.6$, $70.9{\pm}33.7$, $103.5{\pm}97.2$, $89.8{\pm}46.5$ and $51.4{\pm}27.8$, respectively. Those of IGFBP-2(ng/mL) were $8.2{\pm}3.4$, $5.8{\pm}0.4$, $9.3{\pm}4.0$, $9.5{\pm}1.1$ and $7.0{\pm}0.5$, respectively. Those of IGFBP-3(ng/mL) were $559.2{\pm}215.2$, $1,333.3{\pm}692.5$, $2,254.6{\pm}1,513.8$, $2,447.1{\pm}1,464.2$, $1,533.6{\pm}807.4$, respectively. For girls, the mean serum levels of IGF-I(ng/mL) according to five age groups were $53.3{\pm}9.5$, $99.3{\pm}45.8$, $69.6{\pm}51.1$, $106.2{\pm}67.0$ and $145.1{\pm}127.8$, respectively. Those of IGFBP-2 (ng/mL) were $9.1{\pm}7.4$, $5.3{\pm}0.9$, $6.9{\pm}2.0$, $10.5{\pm}3.0$ and $7.9{\pm}1.3$, respectively. Those of IGFBP-3(ng/mL) were $858.2{\pm}433.4$, $1,834.8{\pm}851.3$, $1,404.3{\pm}570.2$, $2,203.5{\pm}899.4$ and $2,029.3{\pm}1,316.7$, respectively. There were significant positive correlations observed between IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels(r=0.589, P=0.000). Conclusion : IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels increased as children get older. The peak level of IGFBP-3 was observed in late childhood for both boys and girls, suggesting a current trend of children reaching peak growth velocity before adolescence. The IGFBP-2 level was higher in neonates compare to infancy, suggesting that IGFBP-2 is an important substance for fetal growth.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1998

Purpose: Though many antiviral or immunomodulatory agents have been used in patients with chronic HBV hepatitis, interferon is considered to be the only effective therapeutic agent so far. Among immunomodulatory agents, thymodulin, the oral form of thymosin, is currently in clinical trial. We compared the efficacy of alfa-interferon therapy alone with a combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin in children with chronic active hepatitis B. Method: Twenty three children aged 4.4~13.7 years who were known to be positive for HBsAg and HBeAg in serum for at least 6 months and who had biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis were given either combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin or alfa-interferon alone, and all children were HBV DNA positive in their serum at the beginning. Follow-ups have been done for at least 1 year after a 6 month course of therapy and clearance of viral replication markers has been evaluated. Results: 1) During follow up period, 11 (48%) children were seroconverted to anti-HBe and were cleared of HBV DNA from their serum. However, 2 of them relapsed after discontinuance of interferon therapy. 2) Seroconversion occurred more frequently among those who had not been vertically transmitted, had elevated serum ALT levels and low HBV DNA levels before interferon therapy. 3) There was no significant advantage of the combined therapy with thymodulin compared to interferon therapy alone. Conclusion: Combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin failed to demonstrate synergistic effect. We think that combination therapies of alfa-interferon with other antiviral or immunomodulatory agents need to be studied in order to achieve better therapeutic responses.