• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.104-111
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• 2009

Purpose: Osteocalcin is also known as the bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) protein (BGP), is noncollagenous bone protein synthesized by osteoblasts. Serum concentrations of Osteocalcin have been used as a biochemical marker of bone turnover. The reference intervals of Osteocalcin is categorized by kit corporation according to the age. However, each laboratory should establish its own reference intervals. In this study, the variation in the serum Osteocalcin level were used to find actual standard age-specific Osteocalcin reference intervals. Materials and Methods: We have selected 864 healthy females aged 20~80 years who visited a health promotion center between Aug. 2007 and Sep. 2008. The Osteocalcin IRMA Kit (OSTEO-RIACT, CIS Bio international, Gif-sur-Yvette, France) was used for the quantification. Each results were analyzed with the SPSS 12.0 statistical software. Results: The analyzed reference intervals of Osteocalcin by using Hoffmann method are from 8.8~39.4 ng/mL to 6.3~28.8 ng/mL for the case of the age from 20 to 30, from 7.7~31.9 ng/mL to 5.9~17.4 ng/mL for the case of the age from 31 to 40, and from 8.0~36.0 ng/mL to 5.5~20.1 ng/mL for the case of the age from 41 to 50, and from 8.0~50.5 ng/mL to 6.7~27.0 ng/mL for the case of the age from 51 to 60, and from 12.9~55.9 ng/mL to 7.5~27.5 ng/mL for the case of the age from 61 to 80. Reference intervals of Osteocalcin were not in agreement with those recommended by the manufacturers. Conclusions: Osteocalcin is used as an indication of metabolic bone diseases. So in our study we wanted to provide reference intervals of Osteocalcin that can be useful to a clinical decisions. Also, previous reference intervals should not be re-used and new intervals should be set by continuous analyzing.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.963-974
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• 2015

This study was conducted to determine the effects of organic vegetable cultivation on the soil physical properties in 33 farmlands under plastic greenhouse in Korea. We were investigated 5~8 farms per organic vegetable crops during the period from August to November 2014. The main cultivated vegetables were leafy lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), Perilla leaves (Perilla frutescens var. Japonica Hara), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon spp.). We have analyzed soil physical properties. The measured soil physical parameters were soil plough layer, soil hardness, penetration resistance, three soil phase, bulk density and Porosity. The measurement of the soil plough layer, soil hardness and penetration resistance were carried out direct in the fields, and the samples for other parameters were taken using the soil core method with approximately 20 mm diameter core collected from each organic vegetable field. Soil plough layer was average 36 cm and ranged between 30 and 50 cm, and slightly different depending on the sorts of vegetable cultivation. The soil hardness was $0.17{\pm}0.15{\sim}1.34{\pm}1.02$ in the topsoil, $0.55{\pm}0.34{\sim}1.15{\pm}0.62$ in the subsoil. It was not different between topsoil and subsoil, but showed a statistically significant difference between the leafy and fruit vegetables. Penetrometer resistance is one of the important soil physical properties that can determine both root elongation and yield. The increase in density under leafy vegetables resulted in a higher soil penetrometer resistance. Soil is a three-component system comprised of solid, liquid, and gas phases distributed in a complex geometry that creates large solidliquid, liquid-gas, and gas-solid interfacial areas. The three soil phases were dynamic and typically changed in organic vegetable soils under greenhouse. Porosity was characterized as range of $54.2{\pm}2.2{\sim}60.3{\pm}2.4%$. Most measured soils have bulk densities between 1.0 and $1.6gcm^{-3}$. To summarize the above results, Soil plough layer has been deepened in organic vegetable cultivation soils. Solid hardness (the hardness of the soil) and bulk density (suitable for the soil unit mass) have been lowered. Porosity (soil spatial content) was high such as a well known in organic farmlands. Important changes were observed in the physical properties according to the different vegetable cultivation. We have demonstrated that the physical properties of organic cultivated soils under plastic greenhouse were improved in the results of this study.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 1994

The urinary excretion of ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid has been widely used as a measure of the biological effect of lead in lead exposed workers. It is usually measured by colorimetric method based on the color reaction of ALA-pyrrole with Ehrlich's reagent. But the results of ${\delta}$-ALA in urine by this method are somewhat artificially higher than expected due to the urinary ALA-like compound such as aminoacetone. On the other hand, the recently developed fluorometric HPLC method is very sensitive and specific for the measuring urinary ALA. In order to compare the data obtained by two methods and to investigate the interrelation between two methods, 117 lead workers with different lead exposure were checked urinary ${\delta}$-ALA, blood lead and other lead exposure related indices. The results obtained are as follows; 1. Urinary excretion of ${\delta}$-ALA by colorimetric method is 2.15 times higher than HPLC method in overall, revealing 2.47 times in workers of blood lead less than $20{\mu}g/dl$, 2.53 times in workers of blood lead $21-40{\mu}g/dl$ and 1.86 times in workers of blood lead over $41{\mu}g/dl$, respectively. 2. While the correlation coefficients of ${\delta}$-ALA measured by colorimetric method with blood lead and blood ZPP was 0.571 and 0.629, those of ${\delta}$-ALA measured by HPLC with blood lead and blood ZPP were 0.6l0 and 0.637. All the correlation coefficients were statistically significant, but there was no statistical difference of correlation coefficients between two methods. 3. The correlation coefficient of urinary excretion of ${\delta}$-ALA between two method was 0.838 without any correction, but it was 0.852 with the correction of specific gravity 1.024. 4. Simple linear regression of ${\delta}$-ALA measured by HPLC method on ${\delta}$-ALA measured by colorimetric method was (ALA-UPH)=-0.245+0.536 (ALA-UCO) without any correction and it was (SP ALA)=-0.525+0.598 (SP ALA-UCO) with the correction of specific gravity 1.024. With above results, it is recommended that the diagnostic criteria of ${\delta}$-ALA for lead poisoning needed to be revised if ${\delta}$-ALA is measured by HPLC rather than colorimetric method.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.5 s.274
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• pp.341-350
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• 2007

Background: We present here the early and midterm surgical results for infective endocarditis and we especially focus on the effect of aggressive reconstruction or root implantation after wide debridement. Material and Method: Between January 1995 and Jun 2006, we enrolled 79 adult infective endocarditis patients who underwent surgical treatment. There were 63 and 16 native and prosthetic valve endocarditis cases, respectively. They included 27 cases of culture negative endocarditis. With performing valve replacement or repair, 28 of the patient underwent a more aggressive surgical option, for example, aortic root replacement or reconstruction, or heart base reconstruction etc. Result: There were statistical relationships between the in-hospital mortality and staphylococcal infection, urgent-based operation and operation during the active phase of endocarditis. Wide debridement and aggressive reconstruction were not related to either the post operative mortality or the early morbidity. Culture negative endocarditis was not related to the postoperative mortality and morbidity. Conclusion: Physicians must pay attention to patients' medical treatment during the preoperative period of the infective endocarditis. If surgery is considered for treating infective endocarditis, it should be performed before the downhill course of the disease so that the surgical outcome is improved. Wide debridement and more aggressive reconstruction are also warranted.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.121-131
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• 2009

This study attempted to investigate the perception and usage status for meat products of dietitians in the food service business in Seoul and Gangwon province. 32.8% of dietitians decided the menu reflecting the taste of students. Most of the dietitians (89.2%) checked the manufacture date of the processed meat products when they were supplied. To address the question as to whether they could distinguish the difference among ham, pressed ham, and sausage, most of them answered; 'can distinguish a little' (47.5%) or 'can't distinguish' (36.7%). The most frequently provided processed meat products were ham (33.9%), followed by sausage (21.7%). However, it is assumed that the dietitians might have mistaken the pressed ham for the classic ham. The most common frequency of the serving processed meat product in the food services was once a month (41.6%). Most desired aspect of quality improvement for the processed meat products was answered as 'hygiene/safety' (31.5%), and followed by 'higher quality' (26%). In conclusion, the improvement of the product quality and the strengthening of public information would be prerequisites for expanding the use of processed meat products in the food services and business-to-business (B2B) market in the future.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.353-364
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• 2000

Background : Bronchoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool, for accurate localization of the bleeding site and the management of hemoptysis. However, there is some controversy about the optimal timing of bronchoscopy. Method : To determine the optimal timing of bronchoscopy in hemoptysis, we reviewed the medical records of 118 patients and analyzed the following relationships amongst simple chest PA findings, namely, the duration and amount of hemoptysis, and the timing of bronchoscopy retrospectively. Results : The major causes of hemoptysis were active tuberculosis(28.8%), inactive tuberculosis(10.2%), bronchiectasis(17.0%), lung cancer(7.6%), and aspergilloma(7.6%). Localization of the bleeding focus by bronchoscopy was possible in 87.5% (21/24 cases) during active bleeding, and it was possible in 40.4% after bleeding had stopped(p<0.05). The localization rate of bleeding focus was 59.8% when the chest PA showed certain abnormalities, but it decreased to 27.8% when the chest PA finding was normal(p<0.05). When chest PA showed diffuse abnormalities or its finding was normal, the localization rate of bleeding focus significantly increased if bronchoscopy was performed during bleeding or within 48 hours of the cessation of active bleeding. The localization rate was higher as the amount of hemoptysis became larger(p<0.05). The localization rate of early bronchoscopy(during bleeding or within 48 hours of the cessation of active bleeding) was significantly higher when the duration of hemoptysis was less than 1 week, but there was no advantage if the duration was 1 week or longer. Early bronchoscopy was also necessary to localize the bleeding focus for surgical resection in 4 patients, and the bronchoscopy itself was therapeutic in 1 patient whose bleeding was successfully managed with thrombin-application via bronchoscope. Conclusion : It is concluded that flexible bronchoscopy is useful at not only localizing the bleeding focus but also in preparing a therapeutic plan, and early bronchoscopy is more favorable in hemoptysis.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.31-55
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• 2005

Dangsan forests and Rural Community Forests(RCF) have been historical assets for the rural communities of more than 40,000 in Korea and they have provided an identity through the cultural heritage. The Dangsan forests and the RCF are parts of a unique cultural landscape in the rural areas as components of stream landscape. In many cases, the Dangsan forests and the RCF are located close to stream corridors. The objective of this study was to understand the function of the Dangsan forests and the RCF on stream water quality and to evaluate its ecological landscape values. Through the consideration of international concensus and domestic government policy for close-to-nature stream, we could find out that Dangsan forests and RCF's have close relationship with the close-to-nature streams. The water quality of the streams close to the Dangsan forests and the RCF are maintained with local culture. It is also compared to the streams located where Dangsan forests and the RCF are absent. Eight study sites were selected. Water samples were collected at three different locations at each study site. Water samples were analyzed for temperature, pH, total P, total N, dissolved oxygen, EC, BOD, COD and SS. Aquatic invertebrates were observed as water quality indicator species. The results showed that the number of aquatic invertebrate species, GPI, DO, EC, BOD, and SS were significantly improved in stream water due to the presence of the Dangsan forests and the RCF. The role of Dangsan forests and the RCF was evident in the conservation of stream landscape and rural culture as well as in maintaining stream water quality. The management schemes of the streams with Dangsan forests and the RCF's are also suggested.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fit accuracy of two zirconia and titanium abutments in internal hexagonal implants. Materials and methods: One titanium abutment and two zirconia abutments were tested in internal hexagonal implants (TSV, Zimmer). Prefabricated zirconia abutments (ZirAce, Acucera) and customized zirconia abutments milled by the Zirkonzahn system (Zirkonzahn Max, Zirkonzahn) were selected and prefabricated titanium abutments (Hex-Lock, Zimmer) were used as a control. Eight abutments per group were connected to implants with 30 Ncm torque. The marginal gaps at abutment-implant interface, the internal gaps at internal hex, vertical and horizontal gaps between screws and screw seats in abutments were measured after sectioning the embedded specimens using a scanning electron microscope. Data analysis included one-way analysis of variance and the Scheffe test (n=16, ${\alpha}=0.05$). Results: The mean marginal gap of customized zirconia abutment was higher than those of two prefabricated zirconia and titanium abutments. The internal gaps at internal hex showed no significant differences between customized and prefabricated abutments and were higher than those of prefabricated titanium abutments. The mean vertical and horizontal gaps at screw in prefabricated zirconia abutment were higher than those of prefabricated titanium abutment. In the case of customized zirconia abutment, the mean horizontal gap at screw was higher than those of both the prefabricated zirconia and the titanium abutment but the mean vertical gap was not even measureable. The screw seats were clearly formed but did not match with abutment screws in prefabricated zirconia abutments. They were not, however, precisely formed in the case of customized zirconia abutments. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the prefabricated titanium abutments showed better fit than the zirconia abutments, regardless of customized or prefabricated. Also, the customized zirconia abutments showed significantly higher marginal gaps and the fit was less accurate between screws and screw seats than the prefabricated abutments, titanium and zirconia.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.206-211
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• 2018

Purpose: Recently, a method of forming a slot in the prosthesis lingual has been introduced to solve the occlusal and aesthetic disadvantages of screw-retained prosthesis in the manufacture of implant-fixed prosthesis and to ensure retrievability in cement retained prostheses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the internal gap on the removal of the prosthesis in the preparation of cement-retained implant prostheses with lingual slots. Materials and methods: Titanium abutment and internal gap of the zirconia prosthesis to be attached to the upper part were set to 30, 35, and $50{\mu}m$, respectively. Three for each type total 15 were produced for each type. The zirconia prosthesis formed a retrievable cement-type slot with a space of 1 mm at the location where the titanium abutment meets the shelf area. Autocatalytic resin cement was used for bonding of abutment and zirconia prosthesis, and the maximum removal stress value was measured in units of Ncm by using the customized equipment of the cemented specimen. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the three groups by statistical analysis (${\alpha}=.05$), modified by post hoc test the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Bonferroni correction method were used to compare the two methods (${\alpha}=.017$). Results: There was no statistically significant difference in removal stress between the $30{\mu}m$ group and the $35{\mu}m$ group in the internal gap (P = .032), and there was a significant difference between the $30{\mu}m$ group and the $50{\mu}m$ group, between the $35{\mu}m$ group and the $50{\mu}m$ group (P < .017). Conclusion: Thus, the internal gap of computer-aided design affected the retention between the zirconia prosthesis and the titanium abutment.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.509-518
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bonding of compomer to deciduous dentin which is known to have been developed to improve the weak properties of glass ionomer cement and composite resin. 120 sound primary molars were used for the shear bond strength test and another 24 for the scanning electron microscopic evaluation. Each material was ailed into polyethylene mold attached to exposed dentinal surface($3{\times}4mm$ in diameter) of sample blocks. Shearbond strength was measured using Universal testing machine and data were analyzed statistically with Oneway-ANOVA and Scheffe test. Scanning electron microscopic observation was performed in order to evaluate the pattern of distribution and penetration of resin tags and hybrid layer. Compomer groups(II-V) showed significantly higher bond strength values than glass ionomer group(I)(p<.05). Etching-compomer groups(III, V) showed the significantly higher bond strength than non-etching compomer groups(II, IV)(p<.05), but slightly lower values than composite resin group(VI) with no statistically significant difference(p>.05). No significantly different bond strength was found between compomer groups of different bonding system(p>.05). Scanning electron micrographs showed more irregular distribution of short and thin resin tags in non-etching compomer groups(II, IV) whereas the more regular and intimate distribution of long and thick tags in etching compomer groups(III, V) and composite resin group(VI). The evaluation of hybrid layer also showed more regular formation of thicker layer in etching compomer groups(III, V). Based on the results of present study, the use of compomer as an esthetic restorative material for primary molars might be justified.