• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.176-182
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• 2004

Purpose : The etiologic agents of aseptic meningitis remain mostly unknown due to difficulty of viral culture and identification. There was an outbreak of aseptic meningitis in northern area of Seoul from June to August, 2002. We report the clinical features, laboratory data and causative viruses on 196 children with aseptic meningitis during this period. Methods : We retrospectively studied about clinical manifestations and laboratory findings 196 patients diagnosed as aseptic meningitis at Sanggye-Paik hospital. Virus isolation and serotype identification were performed by cell culture and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) of the cerebrospinal fluid. Results : The male to female ratio was 1.39 : 1 and the mean age was 5.8+3 years. The clinical manifestations were fever, headache and vomiting. It occurred mostly in June, July and August. The numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes were $4,800{\sim}24,360/mm^3$. On cerebrospinal fluid examinations, leukocytes were in range of 10~2,000(mean 105)/$mm^3$, protein level in range of 15~171(mean 41.4) mg/dL and glucose level from 16~97(mean 57.9) mg/dL. Viral culture of cerebrospinal fluid showed 3 cases of Echovirus 9, 1 case of 25 and 30. In stool culture, 2 cases of Echovirus 6, 2 cases of Echovirus 13 and 1 case of Echovirus 30 were isolated. Conclusion : The etiologic viruses of the aseptic meningitis in northern area of Seoul in 2002 are presumed to be Echovirus 6, 9, 13, 25, 30.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.1 s.49
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• pp.103-121
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• 1995

An investigation on psychophysiological health and social well-being of shift workers been carried out on workers of a automobile manufacturing plant in Ulsan, for 1 month from April, 1993. This cross-sectional survey compared shift workers(n=544) with day workers(n=115). Each subject completed a questionnaire about his personal habit, background, shift schedule, sleep and eating patterns, subjective digestive symptom and psychological well-being and distress using the General Well-Being Schedule(GWB) by self administrated questionnaire that was developed for the U.S. Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (HANES I). Chi-square analysis was used for discontinuous data and the t-test was used for continous data to determine whether differences noted between the two groups. In terms of sleep quality, a greater percentage of shift workers frequently had trouble getting back to sleep once awakend(p<0.01), and a greater percentage of shift workers awakend tired or sleepy frequently more often than day workers(p<0.05). In rating the quality of their sleep, more shift workers rated their sleep fair to poor than day workers, and greater percentage of shift workers felt tired or sleepy at work two or more times per week(p<0.01) and a much higher percentage of shift workers felt tired or sleepy after work every days(p<0.01). In terms of sleep patterns, a much higher percentage of day workers reported uninterrupted sleep per 24hours than shift workers. The shift workers reported different eating patterns from day workers but there were no statistically significant and rate of their appetite. Thirteen percent of day workers reported the best appetite but only 6.6% of shift workers had the best appetite. The gastric complaints is more frequent in shift workers than day workers(p<0.01). Among subscores in General Well-Being Schedule, anxiety, depression, positive well-being and vitality subscale of shift workers were lower than those of day workers(p<0.05) and general health and self control subscale of shift workers were lower than .those of day workers but there were no statistical significant difference. Based on these study result, it could be concluded that the shift work has significant effects on some psychophysiological conditions of the workers.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2003

Purpose : Acute pyelonephritis in children may result in permanant renal damage which later in life may lead to hypertension and renal failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors that might be useful for predicting the development of renal scar in children with urinary tract infection(UTI). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 442 patients with UTI who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Chonbuk National University Hospital, during the period from April 1992 to March 2002. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of renal scar on the follow-up DMSA renal scan, and we compared the factors associated with renal scarring between the two groups. Results : There were no significant differences in sex, causative organism and acute phase reactants between the groups with and without renal scar. The age at diagnosis was significantly higher in the renal scar group compared to that without scar. Of the 60 patients with renal scar, 78% had vesicoureteral reflux(VUR), but 13% of patients without scar had VUR. Furthermore, the severity of VUR was significantly correlated with renal scar formation. 53% showed multiple cortical defects on the initial DMSA renal scan, compared to 32% in the non-scar group. In addition, 76% of patients showing multiple cortical defects on the initial DMSA renal scan with VUR had renal scar. Conclusion : The presence and grade of VUR, and findings on the initial DMSA renal scan would contribute to predict risk of renal scar formation in children with UTI.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2003

Purpose : Neonatal hydronephrosis has been detected with increasing frequency with the widespread use of prenatal ultrasonography, but the consensus about its postnatal management has not yet been reached, especially about surgical intervention. We attempted to determine the guideline of follow-up study and surgical intervention of hydronephrosis by analyzing clinical outcomes of neonates with hydronephrosis. Materials and Methods : Between 1994 and 2000, 128 hydronephrotic kidneys were postnatally confirmed. Cases associated with other urologic anomalies were excluded and 90 unilateral hydronephrotic kidneys with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were enrolled in this study. We classified the patients into 6 groups according to the anterior posterior pelvic diameter(APPD) at initial ultrasonography(USG) within 1 month after birth. Renal USG and $Tc^{99m}-mercaptoacetyl$ triglycerine(MAG3) scan were done according to a set protocol, and pyeloplasty was performed when indicated according to our protocol. Results : Most cases whose APPD were below 10 mm improved or resolved. Only few cases with APPD above 20 mm showed spontaneous improvement and most(88%) had undergone operation. Those with initial APPD within 10-19 mm showed variable outcomes. When the risk factors for irreversible renal functional deterioration were analyzed, the age at pyeloplasty and pre-operative functional deficit were significant. Conclusion : We concluded that in infants with initial APPD below 10 mm, consideration of surgery is not needed, and in those with initial APPD above 20 mm, early operation is recommended. Our set protocol based on initial USG is useful, but the cut-off value of relative renal function(RRF) for operation might be increased to 40% to improve post operative RRF.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.178-185
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• 2008

Purpose : Our aim was to investigate the predictive factors for detecting grade III-V vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in young infants less than 3 months with urinary tract infections (UTI). Methods : Data of infants who underwent ultrasonography and VCUG between January 2004 and September 2007 were reviewed. Age, gender, incidence of bacteremia, C-reactive protein(CRP) and imaging studies were compared between group I(grade III-V VUR) and group II (normal or grade I and II VUR) retrospectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, odds ratio, and likelihood ratio of ultrasonography for high grade VUR were evaluated. Results : Among 54 enrolled infants(41 males, 13 females), 14 infants were group I and 40 infants were group II. In the group I, CRP level was significantly higher(6.11$\pm$5.18 vs. 3.27$\pm$3.45, P=0.025), and there were more ultrasonographic abnormal findings(71.4%, vs. 22.5%, P=0.002) compared with group II. However, ultrasonography was the only significant factor after adjusting with logistic regression(P=0.002). Incidence of bacteremia and abnormal DMSA findings were not significantly different in two groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratio of ultrasonography was 71.4%, 77.5%, 6.9 respectively. Negative predictive value was 88.6% and negative likelihood ratio was 0.37. Ultrasonography had significant negative likelihood ratio for grade III-V VUR, but missed 4 infants with grade III VUR. Conclusion : We could not find any alternative predictive factors to reduce VCUG in detecting high grade VUR. Therefore, VCUG must be considered in young infants less than 3 months with UTI.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2003

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the feeding value of stevia by-product (SB) on performance in broiler chicks and laying hens. In experiment 1, a total 256 one day old male broiler chicks were replaced in 0, 2, 4, 7% of SB with four replicates for 5 weeks. All diets were consisted of isocaloric and isonitrogen containing CP 21.5, 19% and ME 3,100 kcal/kg for starting and finishing period, respectively. Weight gain of SB treatments decreased compared with control for the first three weeks, but no difference for the finishing period. Feed intake and feed conversion were no statistical difference between control and feeding stevia groups for overall period. There were no different total number of intestinal microflora. However, the number of Salmonella and E. coli of cecum seemed to decrease in SB feeding groups. Total Lactobacillus and yeast tended to be higher in those groups than control. The PUFa increased in SB treatments, but was no significance. In experiment 2. stevia by-product(SB) were mixed with iso-caloric and isonitrogeneous method to investigate the feeding value in induced molting hens of 78 weeks old. A total 360 birds were replaced in the four treatments(0, 2, 4, 8% SB) with five replicates. Egg production, quality and fatty acid composition in egg were periodically measured for 20 weeks. No difference were found in egg production, feed intake, feed conversion between control and SB treatments for overall period. Egg shell breaking strength, thickness, albumen height and Haugh unit were not statistically different. However, yolk color was significantly high in SB treatments compared to control(P<0.05). Yolk MUFA increased significantly in SB treatments compared to that of control(p<0.05), but PUFA tended to decrease in SB treatments. No significant difference was detected in total sugar in egg yolk between SB treatments and control. Tocopherol of egg yolk 2 and 4% SB were significantly higher than those feed the control (p<0.05).

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.365-374
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• 2015

The regular quality assurance (RQA) of X-ray images is essential for maintaining a high accuracy of diagnosis. This study was to evaluate the modulation transfer function (MTF), the noise power spectrum (NPS), and the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of a computed radiography (CR) system for various periods of use from 2006 to 2015. We measured the pre-sampling MTF using the edge method and RQA 5 based on commission standard international electro-technical commission (IEC). The spatial frequencies corresponding to the 50% MTF for the CR systems in 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015 were 1.54, 1.14, 1.12, and $1.38mm^{-1}$, respectively and the10% MTF for 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2015 were 2.68, 2.44, 2.44, and $2.46mm^{-1}$, respectively. In the NPS results, the CR systems showed the best noise distribution in 2006, and with the quality of distributions in the order of 2015, 2009, and 2012. At peak DQE and DQE at $1mm^{-1}$, the CR systems showed the best efficiency in 2006, and showed better efficiency in order of 2015, 2009, and 2012. Because the eraser lamp in the CR systems was replaced, the image quality in 2015 was superior to those in 2009 and 2012. This study can be incorporated into used in clinical QA requiring performance and evaluation of the performance of the CR systems.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.251-259
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• 1987

Humic acids extracted from decomposing plant residues were characterized by infrared(IR) spectra. The IR spectra were further interpreted by chemical analyses for oxygen-containing functional groups such as carboxyl, phenolic, alcoholic, carbonyl, and quinionic groups. 1. The IR spectra obtained in this study were divied into three categories: spectra of humic acids from grain crop straws of rice, barley, wheat and rye produced Type I, while that from wild grass hay yielded Type II, and those from forest tree litter of the deciduous and conifers were led to give Type III. 2. There were no significant changes in the absorption bands observed among humic acids extracted at various stages of decomposition of a given Plant material. 3. The absorption band at about $3,430cm^{-1}$ represents the presence of hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl groups, phenolic-OH groups being the major component. 4. A close relationship was found between the total acidity and the content of phenolic-OH groups of humic acids. The content of carboxyl groups maintains a direct relationship with the content of total hydroxyl groups, and such a close relationship also exists between the content of alcoholic hydroxyls and that of total hydroxyl groups. 5. Overlapping of the absorption bands of carbonyl groups and quinones renders it difficult to make differentiation between the two. 6. A variety of non-armoatic cyclic hydrocarbons appears to be a structural component as evidenced by a sharp absorption peak near $995-1000cm^{-1}$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.24 no.2 s.88
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• pp.65-78
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• 2006

This paper investigates the cost structure ot the Korea and Japan railroad industry with respect to density, scale and scope economies as well as productivity growth rate using a generalized trans)og multiproduct cost function model. The paper then assumes that the Korea and Japan railway companies pi·educe three outputs (incumbent railway passenger-kilometers. Shinkansen passenger-kilometers, ton-kilometers of freight) using four input factors (labor, fuel, maintenance, rolling stock and capital). The specified cost function includes foul other independent variables: track lengths to reflect network effects, two dummies to reflect nation and ownership effects, and time trend as a proxy for technical change. The simultaneous equation system consisting of a cost function and three input share equations is estimated with the Zellner's iterative seemingly unrelated regression. The unbalanced panel data used in the paper, a total of 154 observations. are collected from the annual records of the Korea National Railroad (KNR) for the yews $1977{\sim}2003$, Japan National Railways (JNR) for the years $1977{\sim}1984$. seven Japan Railways (JR's) for the years $1987{\sim}2003$. The findings show that the Korean and Japanese railways exhibit product-specific and overall economies of density but product-specific diseconomies of scale with respect to incumbent railway passenger-kilometers, Shinkansen-kilometers and ton-kilometers. However, the railways experience mild overall economies of scale which result from economies of scope associated with the joint production of incumbent railway/Shinkansen and feight, freight/incumbent railway and Shinkansen except Shinkansen/incumbent railway and freight. In addition, the economies of density and scale in the KNR, JR east, JR central, and JR west companies at the point of the years $1990{\sim}2003$ average is generally analogous to the above results at the point of sample average. There also appear to be economies of ssope associated with the joint Production of the incumbent railway and Shinkansen in JR central but diseconomies of scope in JR East and JR West. The findings also indicate that the productivity growth rate of the privately-owned JR's is larger than that of the government-owned KNR.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 1998

Purpose : The best prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma can be achieved with surgical resection. However, the number of resected cases is limited due to the advanced lesion or associated liver disease. A trial of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) and local radiotherapy(RT) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) was prospectively conducted and its efficacy and toxicity were investigated. Materials and Methods : From 1992 to 1994, 30 Patients with unresectable HCC due either to advanced lesion or to associated cirrhosis were entered in the study Exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Child's class C, tumors occupying more than two-thirds of the whole liver, and an ECOG scale of more than 3. Patient cHaracteristics were : mean tumor size $8.95\pm3.4cm$, serum AFP+ in all patients, portal vein thrombosis in all patients, liver cirrhosis in 22 patients, and UICC stage III and IVA in 10 and 20 patients, respectively. TACE was performed with the mixture of Lipiodol(5ml) and Adriamycin(50mg) and Gelfoam embolizatin. RT(mean dose $44.0\pm9.3Gy$) 10 days with conventional fractionation. Results : An objective response was observed in 19 patients($63.3\%$). Survival rates at 1 2, and 3 years were $67\%,\;33.3\%$ and $22.2\%$, respectively. Median survival was 17 months. There were 6 patients surviving more than 3 years. Distant metastasis occurred in 10 patients, with 8 in the lung only and 2 in both lung and bone, Toxicity included transient elevation of liver function test in all patients, fever in 20, thrombocytopenia in 4, and nausea and vomiting in 1. There was no treatment-related death. Conclusion : Combined TACE and RT appear to produce a favorable response and survival results with minimal toxicity.