• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2006

Purpose : The incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is twice as high in East Asians as in Caucasians. However, its metabolic basis has not been clearly explained. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene(UGT1A1) mutation was found to be a risk factor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. We studied whether neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is associated with the 1828G>A(rs 10929303) polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene, which encodes for a key enzyme of bilirubin metabolism. Methods : The genomic DNA was isolated from 80 Korean full term neonates who had greater than a 12 mg/dL level of serum bilirubin with no obvious cause, and the genomic DNA was also isolated from 164 Korean neonates of the control population. We studied a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of 1828G>A in the untranslated region of the UGT1A1 gene by direct sequencing. Results : Three of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had homozygous mutations and 10 of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had heterozygous mutations. Thirteen of the 164 neonates of the control group had homozygous mutations and 16 neonates of the control group had heterozygous mutations. The allele frequency of 1828G>A polymorphism of UGT1A1 in the hyperbilirubinemia group was 10.0 percent, which was not significantly different from the allele frequency of 12.8 percent in the control group. Conclusion : In this study, the 1828G>A polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene was detected in the Korean neonates with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Our results indicated that this SNP is not associated with the prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia in Koreans.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1987

The renal handling and tissue distribution of pyrazinamide were studied after administration of single dose intravenous injection for 15 min or constant infusion in New Zealand White rabbits. Peak pyrazinamide serum concentration ranged from 57.3 to $105.0{\mu}g/ml$ ($mean{\pm}SD;83.0{\pm}17.8$). The mean half-life of the a phase was $0.143{\pm}0.047$ hr while the ${\beta}$ phase ranged from 1.66 to 3.25 hr($mean{\pm}SD;2.38{\pm}0.57$). The mean steady-state volume of distribution in non-compartmental model was $0.935{\pm}0.362\;L/kg$ Excretion ratio of pyrazinamide was dramatically reduced from 1.02 to 0.30 when unbound serum pyrazinamide concentration was increased from 6.04 to $60.9\;{\mu}g/ml$. The urine flow dependency of renal clearance of pyrazinamide was demonstrated in steady-state serum concentration. The tissue/serum concentration ratio of pyrazinamide was highest in kidney and lowest in skeletal muscle among the tissues examined. The results suggested that a large fraction of pyrazinamide filtered by glomerulus and secreted by renal tubule was reabsorbed and this tubular reabsorption of pyrazinamide might be greatly influenced by urine flow.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.495-503
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• 1999

Background: We tested the technical feasibility of fetal cardiac bypass and collected baseline data on the fetal hemodynamics and placental functions related to the cardiopulmonary bypass in the fetal lamb model. Material and Method: Eleven fetuses at 120 to 150 days of gestation were subjected to bypass via trans-sternal approach with a 12 G pulmonary arterial cannula and 14 to 18 F venous cannula for 30 minutes. All ewes received general anesthesia with ketamine. In all the fetuses, no anesthetic agents were used except muscle relaxant. Eight served as a group in which placenta was excluded from the extracorporeal circulation by clamping the umbilical cord during the bypass(the oxygenator group) and in the remaining three, the placenta worked as the only source of oxygen supply(the placenta group). Observations were made every 10 minute during a 30-minute bypass and 30-minute post bypass period. No prostaglandin inhibitors were used both in ewes and in fetuses. Result: Weights of the fetuses ranged from 1.9 to 5.2 kg. In the oxygenator group, means of arterial pressure, PaO2, atrial pressure, heart rate, and bypass flow rate ranged 69.8 to 82.6 mmHg, 201.7 to 220.9 mmHg, 4.1 to 4.3 mmHg, 169 to 182/min, and 140.3 to 164.0 ml/kg/min, respectively during bypass, but rapid deterioration of the fetal cardiac functions and the placental gas exchange was observed after the cessation of bypass. In the placenta group, means of arterial pressure decreased from 44.7 to 14.4 mmHg and means of PaCO2 increased from 61.9 to 129.6 mmHg during bypass. Flow rate was suboptimal(74.3 to 97.0 ml/kg/min) during bypass. All hearts fibrillated immediately after the discontinuation of bypass. Conclusion: In this study, the technical feasibility of fetal cardiopulmonary bypass was confirmed in the fetal lamb model. However, further studies with modifications of the bypass including an addition of prostaglandin inhibitor, an application of the total spinal anesthesia on the fetus, a creation of more concise bypass circuit, and a use of active pump are mandatory to improve the outcome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.7 s.276
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• pp.467-472
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• 2007

Background: Lung transplantation is the definitive therapy for end stage lung disorders. The success of allogenic lung transplantation has led to an increasing shortage of donor lungs from humans, including cadavers, and attention has now turned to transplantation of lungs from other species. However, there are many biological hurdles when using organs from other species because of hyperacute rejection after discordant xenotransplantation. Material and Method: Pigs (n=6, weighing $20{\sim}30kg$ each) for the donors and mongrel dogs (n=6, weighing $20{\sim}28kg$ each) for the recipients were used in this experiment. The left kidney of a pig was perfused to a mongrel dog for 30 minutes through the femoral artery and vein of the dog, and the right kidney was perfused for 30 minutes sequentially. Then, both lungs of the pig were perfused to the dog through the pulmonary artery and left atrium with using the same time intervals. The levels of IgM and IgG were measured from the blood and specimens of the kidney and lung. Result: The average levels of serum IgM gradually decreased after the perfusion, but the average levels of serum IgG did not charge from before to after perfusion. The immunohistochemical findings revealed decreased deposition of IgG and IgM after the perfusion. Conclusion: We conclude that the levels of the serum natural antibodies would be decreased with pre-transplantation xenograft perfusion in the recipient and the occurrence rate of hyperacute rejection after transplantation would be decreased.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.729-735
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• 2008

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of performing additional tetracycline pleurodesis during the thoracoscopic treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Between March 2004 and December 2007, 91 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax were treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The thoracoscopic procedures included resection of the blebs and mechanical pleurodesis by scrubbing the parietal pleura. For 27 cases (Tetracycline group, group I), 20 mg/kg tetracycline was instilled into the pleural space through a trocar before closing the chest. The control group (group II) consisted of 64 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax for which the same thoracoscopic procedures alone were performed during the same study period. Result: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the demographic data, the operative findings and the operation time. The percentage of cases that needed intravenous analgesics and the duration of intravenous analgesics were comparable in both groups. There was no significant difference in the duration of air leaks and complications between the two groups. The patients treated with tetracycline pleurodesis had a longer period of postoperative chest drainage (4.2 days vs 3.5 days, respectively, p=0.03) and hospitalization (5.0 days vs 4.0 days, respectively, p=0.006). During the follow up period, the ipsilateral recurrence rate was much lower for the patients who were treated with tetracycline pleurodesis (0% vs 10.9%, respectively, p=0.099), and freedom from recurrence tended to be more favorable for group I (p=0.077), although this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Additional tetracycline pleurodesis during thoracoscopic treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax caused prolongation of chest drainage and a prolonged hospital stay. However, further investigations are needed because tetracycline pleurodesis can be performed safely without serious complications and it showed a distinct tendency to reduce the rate of recurrence.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.101-130
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• 2012

This study examines mortality change in North Korea and its association with state production and welfare systems. Two main subjects are analyzed. The first theme is to examine the reliability of mortality related data released by North Korea government authorities. Examining inner consistencies among mortality related statistics and comparing with mortality trends in other socialist societies, the study finds that mortality rate was under estimated. Under-estimation of mortality by North Korean authorities is regarded to result not only from political purpose which aims to propagate the regime's superiority but also from enumeration errors of vital statistics based on the residence registration. The second theme is to estimate the change in mortality of North Korean people since the establishment of DPRK, correcting errors of mortality data. Mortality of North Korean people is estimated to have improved largely by the early 1970s, to have been sluggish hereafter, and finally to have increased during the economic hardship period between 1993 and 2008. While large people died during the food crisis in the late 1990s, however the population loss caused by mortality increase was not so great as the proposition of the huge starvation was expected. It is partly because population turbulence occurred not just by mortality increase, rather it has progressed in the joint effects of fertility decline and exodus of North Korean people for food. It is also due to North Korean people's voluntary activities of informal economy. It is also worth noting the high mortality rate of North Korean men. The high mortality of North Korean men is likely due to men's mobilization for long time in army and labor with high risk of accident and their life styles.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2009

To develop an Enoki mushroom packaging method, mushrooms were stored at $1^{\circ}C$ for 12 days after passive MAP packaging(PM), vacuum packaging(VM), and gas flushing packaging(AM), after investigation of film thickness influences on respiration rates and gas compositions(LDPE films 20, 40, and 60 m in thickness were tested). Enoki mushrooms had respiration rates of 26.4 mL $CO_2/kg/hour$ at $0^{\circ}C$, 80.0 mL $CO_2/kg/hour$ at $10^{\circ}C$, 130.9 mL $CO_2/kg/hour$ at $20^{\circ}C$, and 130.9 mL $CO_2/kg/hour$ at $30^{\circ}C$. A film thickness of 20 m was chosen for further tests to maintain the oxygen concentration above the minimum growth level; the thinnest film offered a higher gas transmittance rate than did the thicker films. No anaerobic respiration was evident over 12 days of storage using any packaging method, with the exception of VM. AM, using a high concentration of $CO_2$, restricted respiration rate. Mushrooms packaged using the VM method showed the greatest weight loss and extent of discoloration among the packaging methods tested, followed by AM mushrooms using 50% $CO_2/10%\;O_2/40%\;N_2$. Mushrooms packaged by the VM and PM methods developed a serious off-flavor after 2 days of storage, and a high stipe elongation rate after 5 days of storage, respectively. However, AM using 50% $CO_2/10%\;O_2/40%\;N_2$ of various gas ratios tested, allowed Enoki mushrooms to be maintained for up to 12 days without development of off-flavor, discoloration, or moldiness.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.123-158
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• 2009

An attempt was made to stimulate future research by providing exemplary information, which would integrate published knowledge to solve specific pest problem caused by resistance. This review was directed to find a way for delaying resistance development with consideration of chemical(s) nature, of mixture, rotation, or mosaics, and of insecticide(s) compatible with the biological agents in integrated pest management (IPM). The application frequency, related to the resistance development, was influenced by insecticide activity from potentiation, residual period, and the vulnerability to resistance development of chemical, with secondary pest. Chemical affected feeding, locomotion, flight, mating, and predator avoidance. Insecticides with negative cross-resistance by the difference of target sites and mode of action would be adapted to mixture, rotation and mosaic. Mixtures for delaying resistance depend on each component killing very high percentage of the insects, considering allele dominance, cross-resistance, and immigration and fitness disadvantage. Potential disadvantages associated with mixtures include disruption of biological control, resistance in secondary pests, selecting very resistant population, and extending cross-resistance range. The rotation would use insecticides in high and low doses, or with different metabolic mechanisms. Mosaic apply insecticides to the different sectors of a grid for highly mobile insects, spray unrelated insecticides to sedentary aphids in different areas, or mix plots of insecticide-treated and untreated rows. On the evolution of pest resistance, selectivity and resistance of parasitoids and predator decreased the number of generations in which pesticide treatment is required and they could be complementary to refuges from pesticides To enhance the viability of parasitoids, the terms on the insecticides selectivity and factors affecting to the selectivity in field were examined. For establishment of resistant parasitoid, migration, survivorship, refuge, alternative pesticides were considered. To use parasitoids under the pressure of pesticides, resistant or tolerant parasitoids were tested, collected, and/or selected. A parasitoid parasitized more successfully in the susceptible host than the resistant. Factors affecting to selective toxicity of predator are mixing mineral oil, application method, insecticide contaminated prey, trait of individual insecticide, sub-lethal doses, and the developmental stage of predators. To improve the predator/prey ratio in field, application time, method, and formulation of pesticide, reducing dose rate, using mulches and weeds, multicropping and managing of surroundings are suggested. Plant resistance, predator activity, selective insect growth regulator, and alternative prey positively contributed to the increase of the ratio. Using selective insecticides or insecticide resistant predator controlled its phytophagous prey mites, kept them below an economic level, increased yield, and reduced the spray number and fruits damaged.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.269-279
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• 2012

Satellite-retrieved data on Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and ${\AA}$ngstr$\ddot{o}$m exponent (AE) using a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) were used to analyze large-scale distributions of atmospheric aerosols in East Asia. AOD was relatively high in March ($0.44{\pm}0.25$) and low in September ($0.24{\pm}0.21$) in the East Asian region in 2009. Sandstorms originating from the deserts and dry areas in Northern China and Mongolia were transported on a massive scale during the springtime, thus contributing to the high AOD in East Asia. Although $PM_{10}$ with diameters ${\leq}10{\mu}m$ was the highest in February at Anmyon, Cheongwon and Ulleung, which is located leeward about half-way through the Korean Peninsula, AOD rose to a high in May. The growth of hygroscopic aerosols moving with increases in relative humidity prior to the Asian monsoon season contributed to a high AOD level in May. AE typically reaches its highest value ($1.30{\pm}0.37$) in August due to anthropogenic aerosols originating from industrial areas in Eastern China, while AOD stays low in summer due to the removal process caused by rainfall. The linear correlation coefficients of the MODIS AOD and ground-based mass concentrations of $PM_{10}$ at Anmyon, Cheongwon and Ulleung were 0.4-0.6. Four cases (six days) of mineral dustfall from sandstorms and six cases (twelve days) of anthropogenically polluted particles were observed in the central area of the Korean Peninsula in 2009. $PM_{10}$ mass concentrations increased at both Anmyon and Cheongwon in the cases of mineral dustfall and anthropogenically polluted particles. Cases of dustfall from sandstorms and anthropogenic polluted particles, with increasing $PM_{10}$ mass concentrations, exhibited higher AOD values in the Yellow Sea region.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.219-229
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• 2002

Background : Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) is caused by many cellular and humoral mediators induced by an endotoxin. Histamine, which is widely distributed in the lungs and has been considered as an important mediator of sepsis. It increases P-selectin expression on the endothelial cell surfaces and induces IL-8 secretion. Therefore, an endotoxin-induced histamine may be related to neutrophil-mediated ALI by inducing the migration and activation of neutrophils in the lung tissue. However, the role of endogenous histamine in endotoxin ALI has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate how endotoxin-induced ALI is influenced by endogenous histamine and to identify the possible mechanism of action. Materials and Methods : The study consisted of 4 groups using Sprague-Dawley rats : 1) control group, where the rats were infused intratracheally by normal saline, 2) an endotoxin group, where lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered intratracheally 3) the $H_2$ receptor antagonist-treated group ($H_2$ group) and 4) the $H_1$ receptor antagonist-treated group ($H_1$ group), where $H_2$-receptor blocker (ranitidine) and $H_1$-receptor blocker(pyrilamine) were co-treated intravenously with the intratracheal administration of an endotoxin. The lung leak index using $I^{125}$-BSA, the total protein and LDH concentration in the lung lavage fluid, myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity in the lung tissue, the pathologic score and the total number of neutrophils, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-10 in lung lavage (BAL) fluid were measured in each group as the indices of lung injury. Results : Compared to the control group, the endotoxin group exhibited significant increases in all lung injury indices. Significant reductions in the endotoxin-mediated increases in lung leak index (p<0.05) were observed in both the $H_1$ and $H_2$ groups. In addition the total protein (p<0.05) and LDH concentration (p<0.05) in the BAL fluid were also lower in the $H_2$ group compared to the endotoxin group. However, there was no change in the MPO activity in the lung tissue, the pathologic score and the total number of neutrophils in the BAL fluid in both the $H_2$ and $H_1$ groups compared to the endotoxin group. The increases in TNF-$\alpha$ IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-10 concentrations in the BAL fluid observed in the endotoxin group were not reduced in the $H_2$ and $H_1$ groups. Conclusion : Antihistamine attenuated the enhanced alveolar-capillary permeability induced by the endotoxin via the $H_2$ receptor. However the attenuating mechanism may not be related to the pathogenesis of neutrophil dependent lung injury.