• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.399-407
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• 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs in more than 15% of the dogs over 10 years of age and causes irreversible renal function deterioration. Therefore, it is important to diagnose CKD early and treat the disease properly. The purpose of this study aimed to to evaluate the clinical utility of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) using POC (point-of-care) device as an early detection urinary biomarker in CKD dogs and to confirm the correlation between ACR and other known CKD biomarkers. Urine and serum samples were obtained from 50 healthy dogs and 50 dogs with CKD. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations, and urine protein creatinine ratio (UPC) were measured. Urine specific gravity (USG) was evaluated using refractometer, and ACR was measured using an i-SENS A1Care analyzer. The ACR values of dogs with CKD were significantly different from those of healthy dogs (p < 0.001), as with other renal biomarkers. ACR showed significant differences between healthy dogs and dogs with CKD at every IRIS stage (p < 0.005), whereas no significant differences were observed between dogs with CKD IRIS stage I and healthy dogs with UPC. There are significant positive correlation between ACR and BUN (r = 0.611, p < 0.001), creatinine (r = 0.788, p < 0.001), SDMA (r = 0.747, p < 0.001), and UPC (r = 0.784, p < 0.001), and significant negative correlation between ACR and USG (r = -0.700, p < 0.001). In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.982 (95% CI 0.963-1.000, p < 0.001), with an optimal cut-off value of 64.20 mg/g (94% sensitivity and 94% specificity). Thus, ACR is a useful urinary biomarker for the early diagnosis of proteinuria in CKD and combined use of ACR and other renal biomarkers may be helpful for early diagnosis and prevention of CKD in dogs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.822-835
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• 1997

Background : There have been many in vitro evidences that interleukin-4(IL-4) might be the most important cytokine inducing IgE synthesis from B-cells, and interferon-gamma(IFN-$\gamma$) might be a main cytokine antagonizing IL-4-mediated IgE synthesis. Recently some reports demonstrated that IFN-$\gamma$ might be used as a new therapeutic modality in some allergic diseases with high serum IgE level, such as atopic dermatitis or bronchial asthma. To evaluate the in vivo effect of IFN-$\gamma$ in bronchial asthma we tried a clinical study. Methods : Fifty bronchial asthmatics(serum IgE level over 200 IU/ml) who did not respond to inhaled or systemic corticosteroid treatment, and 17 healthy nonsmoking volunteers were included in this study. The CD 23 expressions of peripheral B-cells, the IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells, the serum soluble CD23(sCD23) levels, and the superoxide anion(${O_2}^-$) generations by peripheral PMN were compared between bronchial asthmatics and normal subjects. The IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells were analyzed by T-cell supernatant (T-sup)-induced CD23 expression from tonsil B-cells. In bronchial asthmatics the serum IgE levels and histamine $PC_{20}$ in addition to the above parameters were also compared before and after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. IFN-$\gamma$ was administered subcutaneously with a weekly dose of 30,000 IU per kilogram of body weight for 4 weeks. Results : The ${O_2}^-$ generations by peripheral PMNs in bronchial asthmatics were higher than normal subjects($8.23{\pm}0.94$ vs $5.00{\pm}0.68\;nmol/1{\times}10^6$ cells, P<0.05), and significantly decreased after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment compared to initial values($3.69{\pm}0.88$ vs $8.61{\pm}1.53\;nmol/1{\times}10^6$ cells, P<0.05). CD23 expression of peripheral B-cells in bronchial asthmatics was higher than normal subjects($47.47{\pm}2.96%$, vs $31.62{\pm}1.92%$, P<0.05), but showed no significant change after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. The serum sCD23 levels in bronchial asthmatics were slightly higher than normal subjects($191.04{\pm}23.3\;U/ml$ vs $162.85{\pm}4.85\;U/ml$), and 11(64.7%) of 17 patients showed a decreasing pattern in their serum sCD23 levels after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. However the means of serum sCD23 levels were not different before and after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. The IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells in bronchial asthmatics were slightly higher than normal subjects($22.48{\pm}6.81%$ vs $18.90{\pm}2.43%$), and slightly increased after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment($27.90{\pm}2.56%$). Nine(60%) of 15 patients showed a decreasing pattern in their serum IgE levels after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. And the levels of serum IgE were significantly decreased after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment compared to initial values ($658.67{\pm}120.84\;IU/ml$ vs $1394.32{\pm}314.42\;IU/ml$, P<0.05). Ten(83.3%) of 12 patients showed an improving pattern in bronchial hyperresponsiveness after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment, and the means of histamine $PC_{20}$ were significantly increased after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment compared to initial values ($1.22{\pm}0.29mg/ml$ vs $0.69{\pm}0.17mg/ml$, P<0.05). Conclusion : Our results suggest that IFN-$\gamma$ may be useful as well as safety in the treatment of bronchial asthmatics with high serum IgE level and that in vivo effects of IFN-$\gamma$ may be different from its in vitro effects on the regulations of IgE synthesis or the respiratory burst of PMN.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.15-26
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• 2009

Purpose: To compare and analyze the ocular changes after wearing conventional and 2-weeks cosmetic tinted contact lens, which were made of different material and fabrication method. Methods: Thirty five university students, age of twenties, participated in this study. With daily wearing schedule, they had worn temporary cosmetic tinted lens for 2 weeks and conventional tinted lens for two month in their right and left eye, respectively. Subjective symptoms and objective signs were graded by using CCLRU scales and corneal thickness were measured after 1 day and 2 months wearing, and under or over 5 hours wearing in a day, respectively. Results: Major subjective symptoms found in the student wearing cosmetic tinted contact lens for a 1 day and 2 months were dryness, redness, foreign body sensation and itchiness. It was also found that those symptoms were more severe in left eye (conventional cosmetic tinted contact lens) than right eye (2-weeks cosmetic tinted contact lens). However, symptoms of redness in both eyes showed statistically significant difference in the case of 1 day and 2 months wearing and under or over 5 hours wearing in a day (p=0.000). After 2 months wearing, left eye with conventional cosmetic tinted contact lens showed limbal redness (p=0.000) and bulbar conjunctival redness (p=0.012) with statistically significance, whereas there was no significant difference in both eyes before lens wear. Left eye showed statistically significant changes in all objective signs, but right eye showed palpebral conjunctival redness, corneal staining and conjunctival staining. Therefore, it was concluded that conventional cosmetic tinted contact lens may be more effective on ocular changes after wearing of lens. A statistically significant changes in both eyes after wearing lens were found that corneal thickness increased about $5{\mu}m$ (p=0.001) in right eye whereas $7{\mu}m$ (p=0.004) in left eye. Conclusions: A statistically significant number of participants in this study preferred to wearing of high Dk/t temporary cosmetic tinted contact lens made by sandwich method which resulted in less ocular changes and may give more healthy and safe ocular conditions.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.219-223
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• 1990

This is a retrospective review of 33 patients with large cell lung carcinoma treated at Yonsei University Cancer Center between Jan.1985 and Dec.1989. Of the thirty-three patients, twenty eight were men and five women. Median age was 59 years. Large cell undifferentiated carcinoma was the most common pathologic type, $78.8\%$. Twenty one of thirty three patients had far advanced diseases, stage IIIB-IV at the time of initial diagnosis. Pleural effusion was initially presented in 12 patients, and SVC syndrome appeared in 5 patients. As to location of the primary tumor,19($57.6\%$) appeared in the right lung and 14 ($42.4\%$) in the left. Patients with a centrally located primary tumor mass were nearly the same as those peripherally located (17 vs.16). Fifteen of thirty three patients developed metastasis involving not only bone, brain, the opposite lung, adrenal gland but also soft tissue, skin, pancreas and appendix. Treatment was individualized with 19 treated radically and 14 palliatively. After treatment, only two patients showed a complete response. Long term survival was observed in 4 patients: 1 (24 mo.),2 (41 mo.) and 1 (54 mo.). The overall 2 year survival rate was $14.3\%$ while the median survival time was 6.0 months. Through the analysis of the various factors affecting survival, we observed that pleural effusion-absent group and complete response group had a statistical significant better survival rate (p<0.01).

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2008

Purpose : This study determined the prenatal and postnatal factors associated with complications and prognosis in premature infants with leukemoid reaction. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of premature infants with gestational ages <37 weeks and low birth weights (<2,500 g) who were admitted immediately after birth to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital between June 2005 and July 2006. A leukemoid reaction was defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >30,000/$mm^3$. The infants who had leukemoid reaction comprised the study group, while the remainder of infants made up the control group. The relationships between maternal and neonatal variables and ANC were studied. Results : Leukemoid reaction was detected in 3.1% of the study infants (8 of 252). Factors more frequently associated with infants with leukemoid reaction were as follows: maternal chorioamnionitis, high levels of maternal and infant C-reactive protein, gestational age <37 weeks, birth weight <2,500 g, low Apgar score, prolonged ventilator support, and a high incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, there were no significant differences with respect to the antenatal usage of steroids, the incidences of patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and mortality between the two groups. Conclusion : Leukemoid reaction in premature infants was associated with chorioamnionitis and high levels of serum C-reactive protein in mothers and infants, and BPD in infants. These findings suggest that leukemoid reaction is secondary to inflammation caused by infection.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.415-424
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• 2006

This study was carried out to analyze the characteristics of forest watershed factors by using the quantification theory(I) for evaluation and prediction of the failure hazard area. Present $sediment(m^3/yr/ha)$ of erosion control dams were investigated in 95 sites of erosion control dam constructed during 1986 to 1999 in Gyeongnam province. The results obtained from this study were summarized as follows; General condition of class I(Very hazard area) were as follow; Igneous rock in parent rock, coniferous in forest type, below 20year in stand age, below 30cm in soil depth, SCL in soil texture, $31{\sim}40%$ in gravel contents, $S{\sim}E$ in aspect, $2,501{\sim}3,600m$ in length of main stream, $26{\sim}30$ in number of total streams, $6,601{\sim}10,000m$ in length of total streams, over 3 in stream order, over 16 in number of first streams order and over $31^{\circ}$ of slope gradient. General condition of class IIl(hazard area) were as follow; Metamorphic rock in parent rock, hardwood in forest type, over $21{\sim}24year$ in stand age, $31{\sim}40cm$ in soil depth, SiCL or SCL in soil texture, $11{\sim}20%$ in gravel contents, $S{\sim}W$ in aspect, $1,501{\sim}2,600m$ in length of main stream, $6{\sim}10$ in number of total streams, $3,501{\sim}5,500m$ in length of total streams, 2 in stream order, $6{\sim}10$ in number of first streams order and over $31^{\circ}$ of slope gradient. General condition of class III(Un hazard area) were as follow; Sedimentary rock in parent rock, mixed in forest type, over 25year in stand age, $41{\sim}50cm$ in soil depth, SiCL in soil texture, below 10% in gravel contents, $N{\sim}W$ in aspect, below 500m in length of main stream, below 5 in number of total streams, below 1,000m in length of total treams, below 1 in stream order, below 2 in number of first streams order and below $25^{\circ}$ of slope gradient. The prediction method of suitable for failure hazard area divided into class I, II, and III for the convenience of use. The score of class I evaluated as a very hazard area was over 4.8052. A score of class II was 4.8051 to 2.5602, it was evaluated as a hazard area, and class III was below 2.5601, it was evaluated as a un hazard area.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2005

Purpose : We investigated the clinical manifestations, radiographic and laboratory findings of children with M. pneumoniae pneumonia(MP) according to their age. Methods : A total of 75 children with MP who admitted to The Catholic University, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from July 2003 to February 2004, were classified into the three age groups : the ${\leq}2$ years of age(16 children), the children between 3 and 5 years of age(35 children), and the ${\geq}6$ years and older(24 patients). The diagnosis of MP was depended on the titers of anti-mycoplasma antibody that were measured 2 times, at admission and at discharge. Results : The total duration of the fever and the length of hospitalization were not different among the age groups. Although the white blood cell(WBC) value and differential was significantly different between the groups(P<0.01), a similar number in the WBC and reduced lymphocyte proportion was observed in all age groups compared to age-matched references. The patterns of pneumonia were significantly different according to age, i.e. segmental or lobar patterns were observed in 5 cases(31.3%) in the ${\leq}2$ years old group, but 16 cases(66.6%) in the >6 years old group(P<0.01). Conclusion : Although there was no difference in clinical findings according to age in MP, the radiographic finding was more severe in older children.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.882-889
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• 2002

Acute Complications of Remodelling Plasty of Costochondral Rib Cage For Pectus excavatum Recently, Remodelling Plasty of Costochondral Rib Cage has been introduced as an minimally invasive procedure and expanded its application for pectus excavatum. Outcomes and acute complications were reviewed Material and Method: A retrospective survey of 55 patients who underwent Remodelling Plasty of Costochondral Rib Cage from September, 1999 to February, 2002 was conducted to review complications, postoperative treatments, and outcomes. Result: Age ranged from 1 to 27 years(mean 11.4 $\pm$ 7.1). 35(64%) were less than 15-year old and 20(36%) were more than 15-year old. There were 44(80%) Male patients and 11(20%) female patients. Length of hospital stay was 7.8 $\pm$ 2.1 days for less than 15-Y-old group, 10.6 $\pm$ 6.2 days for more than 15-Y-old group(p ＝ 0.042) One substernal bar was inserted in 52 patients and two substernal bars were inserted in 3 patients. As for stabilizer, one lateral side was fastened in 15 patients and both lateral sides were fastened in 6 patients. In the less than 15-Y-old group, 4 patients needed stabilizer, whereas in the more than 15-Y-old group, 18 patients needed stebilizer(s)(p ＝ 0.000). Including all kinds of complications, 28(51 %)patients had postoperative complications. Of them, only 7 patients were treated for complications(C-tube insertion was done in 7 patients and reoperation for bar refixation or removal was done in 3 patients of them). Conclusion: Most complications after Remodelling Plasty of Costochondral Rib Cage For Pectus Excavatum were trivial without treatment although C-tube drainage was needed in some patients. However bar displacement such as rotation and lateral sliding should be corrected as soon as detected in order not to remove the bar(the worst situation).

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and clinical manifestations of rotaviral infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We also investigated whether neonates referred from other hospitals cause outbreaks of rotaviral infections in the NICU. Methods: Neonates diagnosed wit rotaviral infections in the NICU at Korea University Ansan Hospital between January 2002 and December 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of 1,501 neonates admitted to the NICU, the number of rotaviral infections was 94 (6.3%) and the prevalence was 4.9 cases per 1,000-hospital days. Of 223 neonates referred from other hospitals to our NICU, 24 (10.8%) were confirmed to have rotaviral infections at the time of referral. Common symptoms of rotaviral infections were jaundice diarrhea or loose stools, vomiting, fever, apnea, irritability, seizures, and moaning sounds. Necrotizing enterocolitis of stage II or more was diagnosed in 3 premature neonates, accounting for 3.2% of total infected neonates and 6.8% of premature infected patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of symptoms between term and preterm neonates, except for jaundice that is more frequent in premature infants. In time series analysis, the admission of neonates who were born at other hospitals and diagnosed with rotaviral infections were associated 1 month later by increased cases of neonates with rotaviral infections who were born at our hospital, whereas new cases of rotaviral infections among inborn neonates were decreased 2 and 4 months later (P<0.05). Conclusion: Rotaviral infections in NICU were not rare and showed vague symptoms. Three cases (3.2%) were diagnosed with stage II or more necrotizing enterocolitis. The referred neonates with rotaviral infections may induce outbreaks in the NICU, therefore awareness and strict surveillance for rotaviral infections should be performed at the time of referral.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2009

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the standard surgical treatment for coronary artery disease. Although there are many clinical reviews of the long term results after CABG in the Western countries, not many such studies have been done for Korea. Therefore, we reviewed the long term clinical results for the patients who underwent CABG at our hospital. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 342 patients who underwent CABG at our hospital from February 1984 to December 2006, which is when CABG was first performed in our institution. A total of 286 patients (83.6%) were able to be followed-up, and the mean follow-up period was $75.7{\pm}46.1$ months. Result: The early mortality rate was 5.6%, and late mortality rate was 23.1%. The one-year survival rate, the five-year survival rate, the ten-year survival rate and the fifteen-year survival rate were 91.5%, 82.1%, 60.7% and 50.0%, respectively. The survival rate was significantly lower for the patients over the age of 60 (p=0.002) and for those with diabetes mellitus (p=0.000), hypertension (p=0.002), multivessel disease (p=0.006) and left ventricular dysfunction (p=0.015). No significant difference was observed between the genders. Multivariate analysis showed that the statistically significant risk factors were diabetes mellitus (p=0.001), age (p=0.005) and those cases for which the left internal thoracic artery was not used (p=0.037). Conclusion: CABG is the effective method of treatment for coronary artery disease. Therefore, active usage of the internal thoracic artery and appropriate medical treatment after surgery, and especially for diabetes mellitus patients, are mandatory for achieving good long-term survival.