• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1999

To evaluate the usefulness of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1 (TGF-$\beta$1) as a new tumor marker, we determined the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels using sandwich ELISA assay in cancer patients. Patients with three most common adult cancers in Korea (stomach, liver and breast cancer) and children's cancers (leukemia and two kinds of solid tumor) were enrolled for the study. Furthermore, 39 individuals were subjected to age and sex-stratified plasma TGF-$\beta$1 analysis. No statistical difference was demonstrated with respect to age or sex. The mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 level (16.0 ng/ ml) of stomach cancer patients was significantly higher than that (8.3 ng/ml) of controls. However, there was no difference among the mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of liver, breast cancer patients and controls. Seven of 16 patients (43.7%) with stomach cancer, one of 8 (12.5%) with liver cancer, and one of 7 (14.3%) with breast cancer showed higher TGF-$\beta$1 levels compared to controls. Plasma TGF-$\beta$1 concentrations of five leukemic children remained in the normal range regardless of the remission state. In contrast, initial high TGF-$\beta$1 levels from two children with solid tumors returned to normal range on surgical resection of tumors. From the above results, we could conclude that plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of apparently healthy individuals seem to be rather constant irrespective of difference in age or sex, and the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 has the limited value as a screening test for the diagnosis of aforementioned adult cancers because of its low sensitivity. Finally, additional studies need to be pursed for the large number of stomach cancer and pediatric solid tumor patients in order to reach a secure conclusion on the usefulness of plasma TGF-$\beta$1 as a tumor marker in these patients.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1978.06a
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• pp.4.1-4
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• 1978

The foreign bodies in the food and air passages are frequently observed in the field of otolaryngology, and the foreign bodies in the air passages have much significance in clinical practice because they may cause sudden death. A statistical study was done on 95 cases of foreign bodies in the food and air passages who had visited department of otolaryngology, Chung-Ang university from June, 1968 to April, 1978. The results were as follows; 1. The total cases of foreign bodies in the food and air passages was 95; 89 cases (93.7%) were in the food passage and the remaining (6.3%) were in the air passage. The ratio between the food passage and air passage was about 14. 8 to 1.0. 2. In distribution by sex, 64 cases (67.4%) were in male patients and the remaining 31 cases (32.6%) were in female patients. The ratio between male and female was 2.1 to 1.0. 3. The kinds of foreign bodies in the food in the order of their frequency, were coin, gogame stone and pebble. In the air passages, the peanut and bean were most frequently found. 4. In distribution by age, 64 cases (67.4%) of all foreign bodies were found in children under 5 year old, and coin was the most common kind of foreign body. Except for meat, almost all of foreign bodies were found in children under 10 year old. 5. There was chronologically no significant tendency in incidence; the incidence, however, had decreased during recent 2 years. 6. In the location of foreign bodies in the food passage, 70 cases (78.7%) were found at the first esophageal narrowing. Meat was more frequently found at second esophageal narrowing associated with cicatrical stenosis. Almost all of foreign bodies in the air passage was found in bronchi; 3 cases were in the right side of bronchi, and 2 cases were in the left side of bronchi and 1 case was in glottic region. 7. In duration of lodgement, 50 cases (52.6%) visited our hospital within 24 hours, and 3 cases after 30 days. 8. Under topical anesthesia, 83 cases (93.3%) of the foreign bodies in the food passage were removed by esophagoscopy, by 6 cases (6.7%) failed to be removed. All of the foreign bodies of the air passages (6 cases) were removed by bronchoscopy. Among them, 5 cases under 5 years old were removed by inferior bronchoscopy through tracheostomy site.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.211-221
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• 2006

Purpose The aims of this study were to evaluate micro-tensile bond strength of composite resin bonded to dentin following high-speed rotary handpiece preparation or Er:YAG laser preparation with two different adhesive systems and to assess the influence of different Er:YAG laser energies on the micro-tensile bond strength. Materials and Methods In this study, 40 third morlars were used. Flat dentin specimans were obtained and randomly assigned to eight groups. Dentin surfaces were prepared with one of four cutting types: carbide bur, Er:YAG laser (2 W, 3 W and 4 W) and conditioned with two bonding systems, Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus (SM), Clearfil SE bond (SE) and composite resin-build ups were created. After storage for 24 hours, each specimen was serially sectioned perpendicular to the bonded surface to produce more than thirty slabs in each group. Micro-tensile bond strength test was performed at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Micro-tensile bond strengths (${\mu}TBS$) were expressed as means$\pm$SD. Data were submitted to statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls' multiple comparison test and t-test. Results and Conclusion 1. Regardless of bonding systems, the ${\mu}TBS$ according to cutting types were from highest to lowest : 3 W, 2 W, Bur, and 4 W. In addition, there was no significant difference between Bur and 4 W (p<0.001). 2. Regardless of cutting types, SM showed significantly higher ${\mu}TBS$ than SE (p<0.001). 3. Bonding to dentin conditioned with SM resulted in higher ${\mu}TBS$ for 3 W compared to Bur, 2 W, and 4 W. There was no significant difference between 2 W and Bur (p<0.001). 4. Bonding to dentin conditioned with SE resulted in higher ${\mu}TBS$ for 3 W compared to 2 W, 4 W, and Bur. Bur exhibited significant lower ${\mu}TBS$ than all other cutting types. There were no significant differences between 3 W, 2 W and between 4 W and Bur (p<0.001). 5. The ${\mu}TBS$ of laser cutting groups were shown in order from highest to lowest: 3 W, 2 W and 4 W in two bonding systems. There was no significant difference between 2 W and 3 W in SE (p<0.001). : The ${\mu}TBS$ of composite resin bonded dentin was significantly affected by interaction between the cutting type and bonding system. In the range of 2 W-3 W, cavity preparation of the Er:YAG laser seems to supply good adhesion of composite resin restoration no less than bur preparation. In particular, if you want to use the self-etching system, including Clearfil SE bond for the purpose of a simplification of the bonding procedures and prevention of adverse effects by excessive etching, an Er:YAG laser may offer better adhesion than a bur.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.657-679
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• 2010

Mushroom fruiting was investigated in pine and oak dominated forest stands in Songni National Park located in central Korea for six years from 2003 to 2008, in order to understand the relationship between mushroom diversity and the environmental factors, precipitation, temperature, soil moisture and vegetation. The most frequent fruiting families were those of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, Tricholomataceae, Amanitaceae, Russulaceae, Cortinariaceae, and Boletaceae. The frequency of mushroom fruiting varied from 94 to 167 species per year, with July and August having the highest(13~90 species). Mushroom fruiting was positively correlated to precipitation(r=0.897), using Palmer Drought Severity Index for the long term period and Standard Precipitation Index for short term period. Soil moisture content also affected mushroom fruiting, with Lactarius chrysorrheus and Russula virescens fruiting only at soil moisture content higher than 20%. Positive correlation between mushroom fruiting and temperature was also noted(r=0.77), with optimum rates at $21{\sim}25^{\circ}C$. Tricholoma flayayirens, Amanita gymnopus, Lactarius piperatus, Inocybe asteropora and Xerocomus chrysenteron were able to fruit at temperatures higher than $25^{\circ}C$. However, Laccaria amethystea, Amanita virosa and Russula mariae fruited at relatively wide temperature range. The influence of vegetation on mushroom fruiting was likewise noted, with 38 species, including Suillus bovinus and Boletopsis leucomelas being specific to pine dominated stands, while 42 species, including Polyporus arcularius and Hericium erinaceum were specific to oak dominated stands. On the other hand, around 50 species, including Laccaria laccata and Lycoperdon parlatum, were able to fruit in both types of vegetation. In conclusion, mushroom fruiting greatly varies with changes in precipitation, soil moisture, temperature and vegetation.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.275-284
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• 2006

Objectives: This investigation was carried out to understand the status of the urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OABs) syndrome of women in a rural region. Methods: The authors conducted a questionnaire survey among the 322 females who voluntarily participated in a health examination, from 16 to 18 August 2001. Using by definition of UI and OABs, we calculated the proportion of UI, OABs I, and OABs II. The data collected was evaluated using the SPSS 12.0 statistical package, and the differences of symptoms and problems related to daily life between UI, OABs patients and the others were analyzed using a Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Results: The overall proportion of UI was 35.4%, and stress UI (32.9%) is more common than urgency UI (17.4%) and mixed UI (14.9%). The proportion of OABs I and OABs II were respectively 36.0%, 14.0%. Symptoms related to UI or OABs were nocturia (35.1%), frequency (23.9%), urgency (21.4%) etc. Of the incontinence cases, 27.2% had experienced UI for a period of one to three years. The proportion of OABs increased significantly by age (p<0.05), UI didn't. The most frequent symptoms in UI and OABs were respectively 'slow stream', 'urgency'. The most frequent problem of daily life in UI and OABs was 'seeking toilet firstly at stranger place'. Conclusions: The proportion of UI and OABs in our study were respectively 35.4%, 14.0%. UI and OABs must be very significant health problems in women, especially rural region. Systemic and profound interventions for UI and OABs need to administer to women in Korea.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2015

Objectives: Colorectal cancer is one of the major cancers in South Korea. We described the time trends in colorectal cancer incidence in Daejeon, a metropolitan city, and Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam), a rural province, South Korea. Methods: Using the databases from the Daejeon Cancer Registry (DCR) and the Chungnam Cancer Registry (CCR), age-standardized (to world standard population) rates for incidence (ASRW) were calculated. Average annual percent change (AAPC) was assessed as a trend indicator. The completeness (such as the mortality/incidence ratio) and validity (such as the death certificate only %, microscopic verification %, primary site uncertain %, and age unknown %) were analyzed to examine the data quality of DCR and CCR. Results: Incidence of colorectal cancer showed increasing trend in both sexes. Over the years 2000-2012 in Daejeon, ASRW was increased significantly from 37.2 to 51.7 per 100,000 person-years (AAPC, 3.9%) among men and from 17.1 to 28.4 (AAPC, 3.9%) among women, respectively. In Chungnam, ASRW was also increased from 29.8 to 50.1 per 100,000 person-years (AAPC, 5.1%) among men and from 15.9 to 26.6 (AAPC, 3.2%) among women, respectively. The AAPC for colon cancer was greater than rectal cancer in both Daejeon and Chungnam. The trend of rectal cancer incidence was differ by sex (AAPC in men vs women, 2.7% vs 1.7% in Daejeon; 3.5% vs 0.8% in Chungnam). Indices of completeness and validity showed that the quality control of DCR and CCR was adequate to describe the trends of ASRW. Conclusions: Both Daejeon and Chungnam have had a rapid increase in colorectal cancer incidence. Monitoring and intervention are required on the risk factors which may contribute to this trend.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.141-152
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to identify correlations among family support, self-esteem and compliance in preventive health behavior in elderly people. The results will provide valuable data for nursing interventions towards help the elderly lead better lives. Those who lived with elderly people in Kimchun were interviewed by the researcher and an assistant. The subjects were 191 elderly people over the age of 65. The study method used was a structured questionnaire and the data were collected from September 17th to September 31th in 1998. The tools for this study were the family support scale designed by Gang Hyun Sook, the self-esteem scale designed by Rosenberg and the preventive health behavior scale designed by Gang Yune Sook. The data were analyzed by the SAS program, Mean, SD, T-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficients. The results of this study are as follows : 1. The mean score for family support was 40.49. The score of family support of the elderly showed significant differences according to age(F=2.66, P<.05), spouse presence(t=4.20, P<.001), family pattern(F=4.56, P<.01), economic status (F=10.47, P<.001) and pocket money(F=10.46, P<.001). 2. The mean score for self-esteem was 29.01. The score of self-esteem of the elderly showed significant differences according to educational level(F=3.47, P<.01), spouse presence(t=2.49, P<.05), family pattern(F=3.79, P<.01), economic staus(F=15.65, P<.001) and pocket money(F=14.04, P<.001). 3. The mean score for compliance with preventive health behavior was 53.15. The score of compliance of preventive health behavior of the elderly showed significant differences according to economic status(F=9.34, P<.001) and pocket money(F=8.13, P<.001). 4. The relation between family support and self-esteem was significantly different(r=.57, P<.001). The relation between family support and compliance with preventive health behavior was significantly different(r=.44, P<.001). The relation between self-esteem and compliance with proventive health behavior was significantey different(r=.51, P<.001), In conclusion, the correlations among lamily support, self-esteem and compliance with preventive health behavior in elderly people showed significant differences.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1245-1255
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• 1997

Background : Rifampicin(RFP) is a key component of the antituberculous short-course chemotherapy and the RFP resistance is a marker of multi-drug resistant(MDR) tuberculosis. RPoB gene encodes the $\beta$-subunit of RNA polymerase of M. tuberculosis which is the target of RFP. And rpoB gene mutations are the cause of RFP resistance of M. tuberculosis. Although several reports showed that PCR-SSCP would be a rapid diagnostic method for identifying the RFP resistance, there were few reports Performed using direct, clinical specimens. So we Performed PCR-SSCP analysis of rpoB gene of M. tuberculosis in direct, clinical specimens. Methods : 75 clinical specimens were collected from patients at Asan Medical Center from June to August 1996. After PCR of IS 6110 fragments, 43 both AFB smear-positive and IS6110 fragment PCR-positive specimens were evaluated. The RFP susceptibility test was referred to the referral laboratory of the Korean Tuberculosis Institute. DNA was extracted by bead beater method. And heminested PCR was done using 0.1ul(1uCi) [$\alpha-^{32}P$]-dCTP. SSCP analysis was done using non-denaturating MDE gel electrophoresis. Results : The results of PCR of IS6110 fragments of M. tuberculosis were positive in 55(73%) cases of 75 AFB smear-positive clinical specimens. Of the 55 specimens, RFP susceptibility was confirmed in only 43 specimens. Of the 43 AFB smear-positive and IS6110 fragment-positive specimens, 29 were RFP susceptible and 14 were RFP resistant. All the RFP susceptible 29 strains showed the same mobility compared with that of RFP sensitive H37Rv in SSCP analysis of ropB gene. And all the other RFP resistant 13 strains showed the different mobility. In other words they showed 100% identical results between PCR-SSCP analysis and traditional susceptibility test. Conclusion : The PCR-sseP analysis of rpoB gene in direct clinical specimens could be used as a rapid diagnostic method for detecting RFP resistant M. tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.397-403
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• 1998

Background: Little information is available concerning the value of bronchoscopy in patients with a lymphocytic exudative pleural effusion in which percutaneous pleural biopsy have been regarded as cornerstone in investigating the etiology. Recently, a few reports suggest that bronchoscopy may be more effective diagnostic method in patients with unexplained pleural effusion accompanied by hemoptysis or other roentgenographic abnormalities, such as mass, infiltrate, atelectasis. Method: Mter initial examinations of sputum and pleural fluid through thoracentesis in 112 patients(male 75 cases, female 37 cases, mean age 53.2 years) who were admitted for evaluation of the cause of pleural effusion, we performed bronchoscopy and closed pleural biology in most patients with undiagnosed lymphocytic exudate and compared the diagnostic yield of both invasive methods according to hemoptysis or other roentgenographic abnormalities, and investigated the sole diagnostic contribution of bronchoscopy. Results: Tuberculosis(57 cases, 51%) was the most common cause of pleural effusion. Percutaneous pleural biopsy showed more diagnostic yield than bronchoscopy regardless of presence or absence of other clinical or radiologic abnormalities. In 25 cases with unknown etiology after pleural biopsy, additional diagnostic yield by bronchoscopy was 36 % (4/11) in patients with associated features and only 7 % (1/14) with lone effusion, and, as the sole mean for diagnsosis in all patients with pleural effusion, was only 4.5%(5/12). Conclusion : In a region of high prevalence of tuberculosis as a cause of pleural effusion, percutaneous pleural biospy is more effective method when invasive method is required for confirmative diagnosis of unexplained lymphocytic exudative pleural effusion, and bronchoscopy is unlikely to aid in the diagnosis of lone pleural effusion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.84-93
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• 2001

Backgrounds : In the absence of distant metastasis, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients presenting with supraclavicular lymph node (SCLN) involvement and pleural effusion can benefit from thoracic radiotherapy. But there are some debate as to the prognostic significance of both SCLN involvement and pleural effusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of SCLN involvement and pleural effusion in SCLC. Methods : Two Hundred and fifteen patients with histologically confirmed small cell lung cancer, who were treated either at the Keimyung university Dongsan hospital and Kyungpook national university hospital from January 1994 to June 1998, were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were classified as having either limited or extensive stage using the Veterans Administration staging system. Results : SCLN was presented in 10.5% of patients(n=21). The median survival was 247 days for patients with SCLN(n=21) and 264 days for patients without(n=194) (p=0.52). After treatment, the median survival was 298 days for patients with SCLN(n=13) and 348 days for patients without(n=115) (p=0.52). SCLN involvement was not correlated with the presence of distant metastases. Median survival was 459 days for patients with a limited stage without SCLN(n=66), 650 days for those with a limited stage with SCLN (n=7) (p=0.96). Pleural effusion was presented in 24.7% of patients(n=52). The median survival was 198 days for patients with pleural effusion(n=52) and 275 days for patients without(n=163) (p<0.05). After treatment, the median survival was 294 days for patients with a pleural effusion(n=25) and 286 days for patients without(n=103) (p=0.39). The presence of pleural effusion was not correlated with that of distant metastases. The median survival was 395 days for patients with a limited stage without a pleural effusion(n=63), 451 days for those with a limited stage with pleural effusion(n=10) (p=0.92). Conclusionsa : In this study, SCLN involvement does not explain the poor survival rate and the relevance to extensive staged disease. Furthermore, the existence of a pleural effusion did not correlated with the presence of distant metastases. However, the presence of a pleural effusion appears to be a minor prognostic factor in our study. Therefore supraclavicular lymph node involvement and the presence of a pleural effusion in SCLC are not poor prognostic factors, which does not justify any amendment to the staging system currently used.