• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.522-529
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• 2019

A Bacillus strain, SJ4, exhibiting strong fibrinolytic activity was isolated from saeu (shrimp, Acetes chinensis) jeotgal, a Korean traditional fermented food and was identified as B. subtilis. The B. subtilis SJ4 strain can grow at a NaCl concentration of up to 15% (w/v). The fibrinolytic activity of B. subtilis SJ4 (152.0 U/ml) cultured in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth for 48 h at 37℃ with aeration was higher than that of B. subtilis SJ4 cultured in TSB (124.5 U/ml) under same culture conditions. The major proteins in the LB culture supernatant of B. subtilis SJ4 were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, which revealed three major bands (23, 25, and 28 kDa). The band (23 kDa) with strong fibrinolytic activity, analyzed on fibrin zymogram, was observed at 60-96 h of cultivation. The aprESJ4 gene encoding the major fibrinolytic enzyme, AprESJ4, was cloned by PCR. The aprESJ4 gene sequence exhibited high similarities with the fibrinolytic gene sequences of other Bacillus species. The amino acid sequence of AprESJ4 exhibited 98.9 and 98.4% similarity with subtilisin NAT and AprE2 of B. subtilis, respectively. Hence, B. subtilis SJ4 can be a potential starter culture for jeotgal products.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.51.1-51.1
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• 2010

We report an example of Pi2 pulsation exhibiting different frequency between dawn and dusk. This Pi2 pulsation occurred around 1932 UT on February 14, 2008, and was observed at low-latitude Bohyun (BOH, L = 1.35, MLT = 3.8) and Hermanus (HER, L = 1.83, MLT = 20.1) stations. The pulsation starts simultaneously at both stations but the frequency is higher at BOH than at HER. At the time of the Pi2, THEMIS-A (THA) and THEMIS-D (THD) were on dawn (L = 2.9, MLT = 5.3) and dusk (L = 2.8, MLT = 18), respectively, in the inner magnetosphere. We find a nearly identical waveform and period between THA ${\delta}Bz$ and BOH ${\delta}H$ and between THD ${\delta}Bz$ and HER ${\delta}H$ with a near $0^{\circ}$ phase delay. This observation implies that Pi2-associated fastmode wave in the inner magnetosphere is not excited globally as a single frequency at all longitudes. We suggest that the different frequency between dawn and dusk is due to dawn-dusk asymmetry of the plasmasphere.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2018.06a
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• pp.141-141
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• 2018

Copper is one of the most abundant metals on earth. Its oxide (CuO) is an intrinsically p-type metal-oxide semiconductor with a bandgap ($E_g$) of 1.2-2.0 eV 1. Copper oxide nanomaterials are considered as promising materials for a wide range of applications e.g., lithium ion batteries, dye-sensitized solar cells, photocatalytic hydrogen production, photodetectors, and biogas sensors 2-7. Recently, high-density and uniform CuO nanostructures have been grown on Cu foils in alkaline solutions 3. In 2011, T. Soejima et al. proposed a facile process for the oxidation synthesis of CuO nanobelt arrays using $NH_3-H_2O_2$ aqueous solution 8. In 2017, G. Kaur et al. synthesized CuO nanostructures by treating Cu foils in $NH_4OH$ at room temperature for different treatment times 9. The surface treatment of Cu in alkaline aqueous solutions is a potential method for the mass fabrication of CuO nanostructures with high uniformity and density. It is interesting to compare the gas sensing properties among CuO nanomaterials synthesized by this approach and by others. Nevertheless, none of above studies investigated the gas sensing properties of as-synthesized CuO nanomaterials. In this study, CuO nanowalls versus nanoparticles were synthesized via the oxidation process of Cu foil in NH4OH solution at $50-70^{\circ}C$. The gas sensing properties of the as-prepared CuO nanoplates were examined with $C_2H_5OH$, $CH_3COCH_3$, and $NH_3$ at $200-360^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2023

Background: Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, often requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and eventually tracheostomy. Both procedures occur in isolation units where personal protective equipment is needed. Additionally, the high bleeding risk in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) places a great strain on surgeons. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) supported by ECMO, and compared the outcomes of patients with and without ECMO. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational study included patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent elective PDT (n=29) from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021. The patients were divided into ECMO and non-ECMO groups. Data were collected from electronic medical records at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Korea. Results: Twenty-nine COVID-19 patients underwent PDT (24 men [82.8%] and 5 women [17.2%]; median age, 61 years; range, 26-87 years; interquartile range, 54-71 years). The mean procedure time was 17±10.07 minutes. No clinically or statistically significant difference in procedure time was noted between the ECMO and non-ECMO groups (16.35±7.34 vs. 18.25±13.32, p=0.661). Overall, 12 patients (41.4%) had minor complications; 10 had mild subdermal bleeding from the skin incision, which was resolved with local gauze packing, and 2 (6.9%) had dislodgement. No healthcare provider infection was reported. Conclusion: Our PDT approach is safe for patients and healthcare providers. With bronchoscopy assistance, PDT can be performed quickly and easily even in isolation units and with acceptable risk, regardless of the hypo-coagulable condition of patients on ECMO.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.363-369
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• 2015

Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of hospital visits. It not only affects the patients themselves but also has a major negative impact on their families and society. In this study, we investigated epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders induced chronic pain among general population based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database and also analysed how it influenced on the use of medical services. This study was done by using the data of 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), taking aged 20 years and over adults as research subjects. The EuroQoL-5 Dimension Index(EQ-5D) was used as a survey instrument. T-test, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Subjects with chronic pain had a higher likelihood than control group to use medical services(odds ratio : 5.858, confidence interval 3.636-9.438). Controlling for existence of chronic pain, more women were likely to use medical services than men(1.156, 0.707-1.889). Age, gender and household income level did not affect the use of medical services. Proper control of chronic pain is very helpful in improving patient's quality of life and it also accounts for a large proportion in suppressing excessive consumption of medical services. Anesthesia and pain medicine specialists have superior knowledge about analgesics and anticonvulsants than other physicians do and also have specialized skills to perform procedures like nerve blocks in treating chronic pain. Therefore Anesthesia and pain medicine specialists need to play a leading role in managing chronic pain.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 1998

To achieve the 2D dose distribution around the designed high dose rate Ir-192 source substitution for Co-60 brachytherapy source, we determined the exposure rate constant and tissue attenuation factors as a large depth as a 20 cm from source center. The exposure rate constant is used for apparent activity in designed source with self-absorption and encapsulation steel wall. The tissue dose delivered from the 4401 segments of 2.5 mm in a diameter and 2.5 mm height of disk-type source layer. In the experiments, the tissue attenuation factors include the tissue attenuation and multiple scattering in a medium surrounding the source. The fitted the polynomial regression with 4th order for the tissue attenuation factors are very closed to the experimental measurement data within ${\pm}$1% discrepancy. The Meisberger's constant showed the large uncertainty in large distance from source. The exposure rate constant 4.69 Rcm$^2$/mCi-hr was currently used for determination of apparent activity of source and air kerma strength was obtained 0.973 for tissue absorbed dose from the energy spectrum of Ir-192 source. In our experiments with designed high dose rate brachytherapy source, the apparent activity of Ir-192 source was delivered from the 54.6 % of actual physical source activity through the self-absorption and encapsulation wall attenuations. This paper provides the 2-dimensional dose tabulation from unit apparent activity in a water medium for dose planning includes the multiple scattering, source anisotropy effect and geometric factors.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.222-227
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• 2010

Purpose : To evaluate the significance of clinical signs and laboratory findings as predictors of renal parenchymal lesions and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in childhood urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods : From July 2005 to July 2008, 180 patients admitted with a first febrile UTI at the Pediatric Department of Konkuk University Hospital were included in this study. The following were the clinical variables: leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), positive urine nitrite, positive urine culture, and fever duration both before and after treatment. We evaluated the relationships between clinical variables and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) results. Results : VCUG was performed in 148 patients; of them, 37 (25.0%) had VUR: 18 (12.2%) had low-grade (I-II) VUR, and 19 (10.5%) had high-grade (III-V) VUR. Of the 95 patients who underwent DMSA scanning, 29 (30.5%) had cortical defects, of which 21 (63.6%) had VUR: 10 (30.3%), low-grade (I-II) VUR; and 11 (33.3%), high-grade VUR. Of the 57 patients who were normal on DMSA scan, 8 (14.0%) had low-grade VUR and 6 (10.5%) had high-grade VUR. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the DMSA scan in predicting high-grade VUR were 64.7%, 69.9%, 33.3%, and 89.5%, respectively. Leukocytosis, elevated CRP, and prolonged fever ($36{\geq}$ hours) after treatment were significantly correlated with the cortical defects on DMSA scans and high-grade VUR. Conclusion : Clinical signs, including prolonged fever after treatment, elevated CRP, and leukocytosis, are positive predictors of acute pyelonephritis and high-grade VUR.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1028-1033
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• 2010

The effects of delta-aminolevulinic acid (DALA) or chito-oligosaccharide (COS) in layer diets on production performance, egg quality and hematological characteristics were investigated in this 8-week trial. Two hundred and seventy 27-week-old (Hy-Line brown) layers were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 9 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were i) Control (basal diet); ii) DALA1 (basal diet+DALA 2 mg/kg); iii) DALA2 (basal diet+DALA 4 mg/kg); iv) COS1 (basal diet+COS 100 mg/kg) and v) COS2 (basal diet+COS 200 mg/kg). In this study, no significant difference was observed in feed intake and egg shell quality (eggshell breaking strength and egg shell thickness) among treatments. The inclusion of DALA increased egg production during the first 4 weeks. Egg weight was increased in both DALA (quadratic, p<0.05) and COS (linear, p<0.05) treatments compared with the control treatment. Laying hens fed the DALA treatment had an increased yolk color unit (quadratic, p<0.05) and haugh unit (linear, p<0.05) compared with the control group. Similarly, these characteristics were also affected by COS treatments, with both values being linearly increased (p<0.05) in COS treatments compared with the control treatment. Additionally, birds fed DALA treatments significantly increased (quadratic, p<0.05) the number of RBC, WBC and lymphocytes compared with the control treatment. Dietary DALA supplementation linearly increased (p<0.05) the serum iron concentration at the end of the 8th week. The inclusion of COS increased (linear, p<0.05) the concentration of RBC, WBC and lymphocytes compared with the control treatment. In conclusion, dietary DALA at the lower dosage (2 mg/kg) could exert better effects in laying hens than higher dosage (4 mg/kg). Birds fed DALA supplemented diet had an increased iron availability, egg weight, eggshell quality and immunity. Moreover, the inclusion of COS (200 mg/kg) can increase egg weight, eggshell quality and immunity in laying hens. Therefore, both the utilization of COS and DALA could be considered as a new strategy for optimizing egg quality and health condition of laying hens.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.249-256
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• 2017

Urbanization can be remarkable affected flood, pollutant loading, ecological system, and green infrastructure by distortion of hydrologic cycle. In order to mitigate these problems in urban, Low Impact Development(LID) technique has been introduced and applied in the world. SWMM model was calibrated with sets of field monitoring data and applied for calculation of runoff and pollutant loading in Asan-tangjung LID city under 2016 rainfall. Runoff reduction of watershed and catchment basins were showed efficiency 12.2% and 62.0%, respectively. Reduction of COD and TP loading also high efficiency in catchment basins were evaluated 74.9 and 71.4%. The results of this study can be used effectively in decision making processes of urban development project by comparing watershed runoff and pollutant reduction by designs of sort of LID technique, LID volume and location.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 1998

An in uitro culture technique was established for harvesting Strongwloides venezuelensis free-living infective larvae using a nutrient broth medium as a substitute for rat-feces in polyvinyl culture bags ($10{\;}{\times}{\;}12{\;}cm$). The egg hatch rate V) in sterile saline at different incubation temperatures (X) was expressed as the quadratic function, Y = $-0.192X^2$ + 8.673x - 19.550 (r = 0.901). The highest (100%) egghatch rate was observed at $25^{\circ}C$. A significant difference (p<0.05) in development rate W) of free-living infective larvae was observed between different concentrations of nutrient broth (X) which was highest (20.6%1 in 0.12% nutrient broth concentrations, incubated at $20^{\circ}C$ for 5 days [Y = $-864.032X^2$ + 245.995X- 0.560 (r = 0.875)]. Yields (Y) of infective larvae were observed relatively high when the culture medium was incubated at higher temperatures (X) which peaked at $25^{\circ}C$ (20.0%) than at lower temperatures. $15^{\circ}C$M (10.9%) and $20^{\circ}C$ (18.1%) [Y = $-0.189X^2$ + 8.387x- 72.795 (r = 0.981)]. The period W) required for the development of infective larvae decreased with higher incubation temperatures (X) [Y = $0.035X^2$ - 2.025X + 32.375 (r = 0.995)] The highest yield (19.2%) of infective larvae was obtained from culture bag inoculated with 15.000 eggs than with below and over 15,000 eggs in 0.12% nutrient broth and incubated at $25^{\circ}C$ for 4 days. The newly adapted culture method (from egg to third-stage larva) may be useful as a bio-bar/bioassay system for screening new chemical products, anthelmintics and pesticides, as well as for parasito immunological studies with Strongwloides species.