• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.1007-1014
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• 2022

Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) is a method of treating tumor cells using radiopharmaceuticals. Cells and nuclei constituting tissues of the human body are composed of spherical and oval shapes, but cancer cells are composed of various cell types. Therefore, this study analyzed the absorbed dose for each organelle according to the change in the size of the cell nucleus for beta-emitting nuclides during targeted radionuclide therapy through the Monte Carlo method. Cells were set in two sphere shapes, 5 ㎛ and 10 ㎛, and the internal structure was divided into cell nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell surface. Next, the absorbed dose according to the increase in the size of the cell nucleus was evaluated. As a result, ¹⁷⁷Lu among the target radionuclides showed the highest dose in all cell compartments. As the ratio of the nucleus in the cell increased, the absorbed dose on the cell surface increased, but the absorbed dose in the cytoplasm and nucleus tended to decrease. Accordingly, it is judged that it is important to select a radionuclide considering the size of cancer cells and determine an appropriate amount of radioactivity during targeted radionuclide treatment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2024

The present study sought to assess the health-related behavior affecting hypertension in the Korean elderly. A data set comprising 1,404 subjects aged ≥65 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VIII-1 (2019) was analyzed. In men, the incidence of hypertension was associated with age (odds ratio [OR], 1.056; P=0.004), absence of a family history of chronic diseases (OR, 0.662; P=0.024), underweight status (OR, 0.142; P<0.001), normal weight status (OR, 0.390; P<0.001), and non-drinkers (OR, 0.552; P=0.001). In women, the incidence of hypertension was associated with age (OR, 1.091; P<0.001), absence of a family history of chronic diseases (OR, 0.424; P<0.001), normal weight status (OR, 0.532; P<0.001), and poor subjective health level (OR, 1.640; P=0.018). In conclusion, the factors affecting hypertension in men were age, obesity, family history of chronic diseases, and drinking. In women, the factors affecting hypertension were age, obesity, family history of chronic diseases, and subjective health level. Therefore, it is proposed to make efforts to establish gender-appropriate health promotion and intervention programs and health policies to reduce the incidence of hypertension in the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2024

The endotoxin test is based on the reaction between Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) and the lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we sought to identify factors that interfere with the LAL testing of radiopharmaceuticals and evaluated acceptable ranges. A gel-clot LAL test and a chromogenic LAL test were used as endotoxin tests. We compared the performances of the Endosafe^Ⓡ LAL and recombinant Endosafe^Ⓡ Recombinant Cascade Reagent (rCR) cartridges for the chromogenic test. The factors that interfered with ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATOC injection were pH, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer, and organic solvents, especially ethanol. However, interference by these factors was overcome by diluting the ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATOC injection tenfold. In addition, no interference was observed at pH values between 4 and 8, at a HEPES concentration of 2,000 ㎍/mL, or an ethanol concentration of <1%. Furthermore, results showed that interfering factors had similar effects on the performances of the Endosafe^Ⓡ LAL and Endosafe^Ⓡ rCR cartridges. The results of this study are expected to be useful for evaluating factors that interfere with the endotoxin testing of new radiopharmaceuticals.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.295-303
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in smoking rates and smoking cessation plans before and after the cigarette price increases in 2015. Therefore, based on the National Health and Nutrition Survey, this study analyzes the correlation of the change in smoking rate and cessation plans with sociological variables (gender, age, income quintile, occupation, education level, hypertension, diabetes) and health behaviors (drinking, stress perception, obesity) in 2013 before the cigarette price increases and in 2015 and then in 2017. Results indicated that the smoking rate in 2013 was 23.3%, the smoking rate in 2015 was 20.5%, and the smoking rate in 2017 was 21.0%, indicating that the smoking rate decreased compared to before the cigarette price was raised. Among the sociological variables, the cigarette price increases showed a difference in the smoking rate of income, occupation, and education level, and health behavior was found to have no significant effect on smoking rate. In addition, the cigarette price increases showed a temporary effect on the increase in the smoking cessation plan, but the increase in the smoking cessation plan did not necessarily lead to decrease the smoking rate. Therefore, in the future, efforts will be needed at the national level to provide customized smoking cessation programs by gender, age, and social factors so that the smoking cessation plan can lead to decrease the smoking rate. In addition, Research on health behaviors that were not identifited in this study should also be conducted. We hope that this study will help the prediction of the impact of smoking rate in case the price increases policies are considered or implemented.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.590-599
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• 2005

Object : Cigarette smoking is a major cause of mucus hypersecretion, which is a pathophysiological feature of many inflammatory airway diseases. Mucins, which are an important part of the airway mucus, are synthesized from the Muc gene in airway epithelial cells. However, the signaling pathways for cigarette smoke-induced mucin synthesis are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the signal pathway for smoking induced Muc5ac gene expression. Methods : A549 cells were cultured and transiently transfected with the Muc5ac promoter fragment. These cells were stimulated with 5% cigarette smoke extract (CSE) alone or with CSE after a pretreatment with various signal transduction pathway inhibitors (AG1478, PD98059 and SB203580). The Muc5ac promoter activity was examined using the luciferase reporter system, and the level of phosphorylated EGFR, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK were all examined using Western blot analysis. Muc5ac mRNA expression was also examined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). Results : 1. The peak level of luciferase activity of the Muc5ac promoter was observed at 5% concentration and after 3 hours of incubation with the CSE. The level of EGFR phosphorylation and the luciferase activity of the transfected cells caused by the CSE were significantly suppressed by AG1478 or PD98059 (P<0.01). 2. CSE phosphorylated ERK1/2 or p38 MAPK but not JNK. The Muc5ac mRNA expression level was increased by the CSE but that was suppressed by PD98059 or AG1478. 3. The CSE-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was blocked by PD98059 and that of p38 MAPK was blocked by either PD98059 or SB203580. Either PD98059 or SB203580 suppressed the luciferase activity of the transfected cells (P<0.0001). Conclusion : The Muc5ac mRNA expression level was increased by the CSE. The increased CSE-induced transcriptional activity was mediated via EGF receptor activation, which led to ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2007

Background: Many diagnostic approaches for defining the definitive cause of pleurisy should be included due to the large variety of diseases resulting in pleural effusion. Although ADA is a useful diagnostic tool for making a differential diagnosis of pleural effusion, particularly for tuberculous pleural effusion, a definitive diagnostic cut-off value remains problematic in Korea. It was hypothesized that ADA multiplied by the Lymphocyte/Neutrophil ratio(L/N ratio) might be more powerful for making a differential diagnosis of pleural effusion. Methods: One hundred and ninety patients, who underwent thoracentesis and treatment in Chung-Ang University Hospital from January, 2005 through to February 2006, were evaluated. The clinical characteristics, radiologic data and the examination of the pleural effusion were analyzed retrospectively. Results: 1. Among the 190 patients, 59 patients (31.1%) were diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy, 45 patients(23.7%) with parapneumonic effusion, 42 patients(22.1%) with malignant effusions, 36 patients(18.9%) with transudate, and 8 patients(4.2%) with empyema. One hundred and twenty one patients were found to have an ADA activity of 1 to 39 IU/L(63.7%). Twenty-nine were found to have an ADA activity of 40 to 75 IU/L(15.3%) and 40 were found to have an ADA activity of 75 IU/L or greater(21.0%). 2. Among the patients with tuberculous pleurisy, 5(8%), 18(30%) and 36 patients(60%) had an ADA activity ranging from 1 to 39 IU/L, 40 to 75 IU/L, and 75 IU/L or greater, respectively. In those with an ADA activitiy 40 to 75 IU/L, 18 patients(62%) had tuberculous pleurisy, 9(31%) had parapneumonic effusion and empyema, and 1(3.4%) had a malignant effusion. 3. In those with an ADA activity of 40 to 75 IU/L, there was no significant difference between tuberculous pleurisy and non-tuberculous pleural effusion(tuberculous pleurisy : 61.3 ${\pm}$ 9.2 IU/L, non-tuberculous pleural effusion : 53.3${\pm}$10.5 IU/L). 4. The mean L/N ratio of those with tuberculous pleurisy was 39.1 ${\pm}$ 44.6, which was significantly higher than nontuberculous pleural effusion patients (p<0.05). The mean ADA x L/N ratio of the tuberculous pleurisy patients was 2,445.7 ${\pm}$ 2,818.5, which was significantly higher than the non-tuberculous pleural effusion patients (level p<0.05). 5. ROC analysis showed that the ADA x L/N ratio had a higher diagnostic value than the ADA alone in the group with an ADA between 40-75 IU/L. Conclusion: The ADA multiplied by the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio might provide a more definitive diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.53-69
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• 1999

A descriptive correlation study was done to provide a basic data for comprehensive nursing care by analyzing the relationship between spiritual wellbeing, hope and perceived health status of the elderly. 195 respondents who lived at their homes and 148 respondents who lived at the facilities for elders such as nursing homes and elder's rehabilitation centers were selected and their age was over 60 years old. Paloutzian and Ellison(1982)'s spiritual wellbeing scale, Nowotny(1989)'s hope scale and Northern Illinois University's health self rating scale was used. From August 10th to August 25th, 1998, ready made questionnaires were handed out by researcher to those who can fill it out and for those who cannot fill out the questionnaires alone, the researcher read it and finished by interview. This study used Pearson's correlation coefficient for the hypothetic test and the average point and standard deviation of spiritual wellbeing, hope, and perceived health status were checked. To find out the difference between spiritual wellbeing, hope, and perceived health status by general characteristics ANOVA and Tukey test were used. The results are as follows : 1. The mean score for spiritual wellbeing of the elders was 42.27($SD{\pm}9.67$) in a possible range of 20-80. The average point of spiritual wellbeing was 2.11($SD{\pm}0.97$) point to 4 point full marks. The mean score of religious wellbeing was 21.37($SD{\pm}7.02$) and that of existential wellbeing was 20.90($SD{\pm}4.63$) in a possible range of 10 - 40. The average point of religious wellbeing was 2.14($SD{\pm}0.70$)points and existential wellbeing was 2.09($SD{\pm}0.46$) points to 4 point full marks. 2. The mean score for hope was 67.16($SD{\pm}12.28$) in a possible range of 29-116. The average point of hope was 2.31($SD{\pm}0.42$) points to 4 point full marks. 3. The mean score for perceived health status was 8.72($SD{\pm}2.49$) in a possible range of 4-14. 4. In testing the hypothesis concerning the relationship between spiritual wellbeing and hope, there was a statistically positive correlation(r=0.5209, p=0.0001). 5. In testing the hypothesis concerning the relationship between spiritual wellbeing and perceived health status, there was a statistically positive correlation(r=0.1427, p=0.0081). 6. In testing the hypothesis concerning the relationship between hope and perceived health status, there was a statistically positive correlation(r=0.2797, p=0.0001). 7. There were significant differences in spiritual wellbeing according to sex, religion, and present occupation. 8. There were significant differences in hope according to residential places, age, religion, educational level, family status, average monthly pocket money. 9. There were significant differences in perceived health status according to residential places, sex, age, educational level, present occupation and family status. From the above results it can be concluded that: There was a positive correlation between spiritual wellbeing and hope, spiritual wellbeing and perceived health status, hope and perceived health status. When the nurse implicate the nursing intervention which can be promote the spiritual wellbeing and hope, elder's perceived health status also can be improved.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.727-732
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• 2007

Background: The reciptents of aortic valve replacement or a Bentall operation usually display various degrees of mitral regurgitation. When deciding whether or not to correct the mitral regurgitation, one must consider its severity, underlying causes and operative risk. Recently, the operation method for correcting the concomitant mitral regurgitation has been done through aortic root to reduce the operation time and the cardiac trauma. We report our experiences that transaortic mitral valve commissuroplasty done with aortic valve replacement or a Bentall operation has been a simple, less invasive, effective method in the operative management of mitral valve regurgitation without significant organic changes. Material and Method: Between June 2002 and June 2005, twenty patients under-went mitral valve commissuroplasty via the aortic root with aortic valve replacement (n=14) or a Bentall operation (n=7). The mitral valve regurgitation of the patients didn't exceed a moderate (grade 2) degree and there was no significant organic disease. The preoperative diagnosis of MR was established by TTE and intraoperative TEE, and the patients were followed postoperatively by TTE. The operative technique was a simple anterolateral commissuroplasty of the mitral valve with a single mattress suture via the transaortic annular approach after excision of the aortic valve leaflets. Result: The mean patient age was 56.2 years and 65% (n=13) were male. The preoperative MR was mild (grade 1) in 9 (45%), mild to moderate in 8 (40%), and moderate (grade 2) in 3 (15%) patients. There were no operative mortalities. The MR improved in all patients (p=0.002) and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) improved in 14 (70%) patients (p=0.005). The mean cross-clamp time for the patients who under- went aortic valve replacement with transaortic mitral repair was $62.1{\pm}13.9 min$ and this was $137.5{\pm}7.2 min$ for the patients who underwent a Bentall operation with transaortic mitral repair. Conclusion: For selected patients without significant mitral organic disease, transaortic mitral valve commissuroplasty combined with aortic valve replacement or a Bentall operation may be a feasible, effective method without adding significant aortic cross clamping time and more cardiotomy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2005

Purpose: Early gastric cancer (EGC) has an excellent prognosis compared to advanced gastric cancer. The 5-year survival rate for EGC now exceeds $90\%$, and EGC is recognized as a curable malignancy. The important prognostic factor in EGC is the status of lymph-node metastasis. Despite conserving surgery being suggested for EGC at present, it is of vital importance to select a surgical method appropriate to each individual case. This retrospective study was undertaken to clarify clinicopathologic features and factors related to lymph-node metastasis in submucosal gastric cancer in order to determine an appropriate therapy. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed the clinicopathologic features for 279 patients with a submucosal gastric carcinoma (Group I) and compared with those of patients with mucosal (Group II) or muscularis proprial gastric carcinoma (Group III). All patients were operated on from 1981 to 1999 at Chonnam University Hospital. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups with respect to age, gender, tumor location, hepatic metastasis, or peritoneal dissemination. Results: Positive lymph node metastasis was found in 47 ($16.8\%$) of the 279 patients with a submucosal gastric carcinoma. The incidence of lymph-node metastasis was significantly higher in patients with a submucosal gastric carcinoma than in patients with a mucosal gastric carcinoma ($16.8\%\;vs.\;3.9\%\;$; P<0.01). Therefore, depth of invasion was a significant factor affecting in lymph-node metastasis. The 5-year survival rates were $88.6\%$ for patients in Group I, $95.2\%$ for patients in Group II, and $72.7\%$ for patients in Group III (P<0.01 for Group I vs. Group II; Group I vs. Group III). In patients with a submucosal gastric carcinoma, the survival rate with positive lymph nodes was significantly poorer than that of patients without lymph-node metastasis ($87.3\%\;vs.\;94.2\%$; P<0.01). Conclusion: Gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection is an appropriate operative procedure for patients with a submucosal gastric carcinoma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.593-599
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• 2007

Background: The correlation between levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the effect of pulmonary resection on the right ventricle of the heart is not yet widely known. This study aims to assess the relationship between the change in hemodynamic values of the right ventricle and increased BNP levels as a compensatory mechanism for right heart failure following pulmonary resection and to evaluate the role of the BNP level as an index of right heart failure after pulmonary resection. Material and Method: In 12 non small cell lung cancer patients that had received a lobectomy or pnemonectomy, the level of NT-proBNP was measured using the immunochemical method (Elecsys $1010^{(R)}$, Roche, Germany) which was compared with hemodynamic variables determined through the use of a Swan-Garz catheter prior to and following the surgery. Echocardiography was performed prior to and following the surgery, to measure changes in right ventricular and left ventricular pressures. For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon rank sum test and linear regression analysis were conducted using SPSSWIN (version, 11.5). Result: The level of postoperative NT-proBNP (pg/mL) significantly increased for 6 hours, then for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days and 7 days after the surgery (p=0.003, 0.002, 0.002, 0.006, 0.004). Of the hemodynamic variables measured using the Swan-Ganz catheter, the mean pulmonary artery pressure after the surgery when compared with the pressure prior to surgery significantly increased at 0 hours, 6 hours, then 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days after the surgery (p=0.002, 0,002, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008). The right ventricular pressure significantly increased at 0 hours, 6 hours, then 1 day, and 3 days after the surgery (p=0.000, 0.009, 0.044, 0.032). The pulmonary vascular resistance index [pulmonary vascular resistance index=(mean pulmonary artery pressure-mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure)/cardiac output index] significantly increased at 6 hours, then 2 days after the surgery (p=0.008, 0.028). When a regression analysis was conducted for changes in the mean pulmonary artery pressure and NT-proBNP levels after the surgery, significance was evident after 6 hours (r=0.602, p=0.038) and there was no significance thereafter. Echocardiography displayed no significant changes after the surgery. Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between changes in the mean pulmonary artery pressure and the NT-proBNP level 6 hours after a pulmonary resection. Therefore, it can be concluded that changes in NT-proBNP level after a pulmonary resection can serve as an index that reflects early hemodynamic changes in the right ventricle after a pulmonary resection.