• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.47-67
• /
• 2007

Objectives : This study was aimed to investigated the warning signs and its relationship with the other characteristics in acute stroke patients. Methods : 225 acute stroke patients were recruited at the Department of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases (Stroke Center) of Kyung Hee University Oriental Hospital from October 2005 to September 2006. We evaluated their stroke type with brain MRI, their warning signs, and general characteristics such as age, sex, past history, risk factors, etc. Results : 225 subjects were included in the final analysis. In the subjects' general characteristics, the most common etiology of stroke was small vessel occlusion. In the assessment of the subjects' warning signs, the frequency of tension felt at the cervical area was highest followed by blepharospasm, sensory dysfunction (one side of numbness, tingling sensation, dead sensation), one side paralysis or weakness, etc. After analyzing etiology, cerebral hemorrhage had more facial spasm sign and hypertension than cerebral infarction. On the other hand, cerebral infarction had more diabetes and sensory dysfunction (one side of numbness, tingling sensation, dead sensation) than cerebral hemorrhage. Among stroke locations, subjects with their brain lesion in the cortex had more warning sings of motor dysfunction such as one side paralysis, or weakness. Multiple lesions showed a close relationship with smoking habit and were more common in males than in females. The under 65 years old group were more commonly associated with alcohol consumption, accidental mental stress and blepharospam than the over 65 years old group. In the group of under 65 years old, males more commonly had lesions in occipital lobe, alcohol consumption and smoking habit than females. Otherwise, females more commonly had vision dysfunction and blepharospasm than males. In the group of over 65 years old, males more commonly had cortex lesion than females. On the other hand, Females more commonly had accidental mental stress than males. Conclusions : We observed various warning signs and their distribution in acute stroke patients. The subjects' brainlesions and their etiology seemed to affect the features of the warning signs. Hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were also related to etiology of stroke and some habitual problems such as smoking and drinking seemed to reduce the age of stroke ictus. Although a concrete conclusion can hardly be drawn from this study, it reminds physicians of the importance of warning signs which appear among their patients.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2014

Surveys of weed species in paddy fields were conducted in Korea to identify weed occurrence from June to September 2013. Total 3,434 sites of paddy fields in 155 City/Gun, eight Provinces were investigated. From the nation-wide survey, 90 weed species in 28 families were identified and classified to 52 annuals, 3 biennials and 35 perennials. Based on the occurrence ratio, the most weed species belonged to Poaceae (18 species). 17, 8 and 6 weed species belonged to Cyperaceae, Scrophulariaceae and Polygonaceae, respectively, and these 49 weed species in the most four families accounted for 54% of total weed occurrence. The most dominant weed species in Korean paddy fields were Echinochloa spp. (17.4%), followed by Monochoria vaginalis (12.4%), Eleocharis kuroguwai (7.8%), Bidens tripartite (9.27%), Scirpus juncoides (6.2%) and Sagittaria sagittifolia (6.1%). This information could be useful for estimation of future weed occurrence, weed population dynamics and establishment of weed control methods in paddy fields of Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.319-327
• /
• 1994

Background: The pathogenetic mechanism of adult respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is not clearly defined yet, but it is well known that increased pulmonary capillary permeabilty is characteristic feature of ARDS. The increased alveolar-capillary permeability is usually preceded by damage of pulmonary artery endothelial cells. The released enzymes and oxygen free radicals from the activated neutrophils seem to play a predominant role in endothelial cell cytotoxicity. The activated neutrophils, however, probably are not the sole contributing factor in this type of damage because many cases of ARDS have been reported in severe neutropenia. Bacterial endotoxin perse and/or oxygen free radicals released from endothelial cells are suggested to be possible factors that contribute to the development of ARDS. The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct cytotoxicity of endotoxin and the role of oxygen free radicals released from the endothelial cells in endotoxin-induced endothelial cell cytotoxicity. Methods: First, to investigate whether endotoxin is cytotoxic to HUVE by itself, various doses of endotoxin were added to culture medium and cytotoxicity was measured. Second, to evaluate the possible role of oxygen free radical in endotoxin-induced HUVE cytotoxicity, various antioxidants were added on the endotoxin-induced HUVE cytotoxicity and cytotoxicity was measured. Third, to verify the release of oxygen free radicals from HUVE, the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the endotoxin-treated culture supernatant were measured. Finally, to observe the cytotoxic effect of hydrogen peroxide, HUVE cytotoxicity in the presence of various doses of hydrogen peroxide was measured. The fourth generations of subcultured HUVE from primary culture were used. The cell cytotoxicity was quantified by the chromium-51 release assay. Results: 1) Endotoxin alone showed HUVE cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent fashion. 2) Endotoxin-induced HUVE cytotoxicity was significantly attenuated by the pretreatment of catalase and DMTU. 3) Hydrogen peroxide was released from HUVE after endotoxin treatment in a dose-dependent fashion. 4) Exogenous hydrogen peroxide also showed HUVE cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusion: These results suggest that endotoxin alone can directly injure HUVE, and, oxygen-free radicals released from HUVE in response to endotoxin may also participate in the endotoxin-induced HUVE cytotoxicity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.644-649
• /
• 2002

Background : Pulmonary hamartomas are the most common form of benign tumors, occurring in approximately 0.2% of routine autopsies. However, only a few reports on the clinical characteristics of pulmonary hamartoma in Korea have been published. Materials and Methods : The charts, X-rays and pathological specimens of 29 pulmonary hamartoma patients who were diagnosed by a pathological examination from 1990 to 1999 at the Catholic Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. Results : The peak incidence of the tumor occurred in the sixth decade of life (37.5%). Seventeen patients (58.6%) were asymptomatic and 12 patients (41.4%) had symptoms. Chest discomfort was the most common symptom (31.0%). A total of 25 tumors (86.2%) were parenchymal, and 4 (13.8%) were endobronchial. Twenty cases were in the right lung and 9 cases were in the left lung (approximately 1:2.2). The RLL was the most commonly involved lobe (31.0%). Calcification was noted in 5 cases(19.2%) on a plain X-ray and in 5 cases (29.4%) on chest CT. Accompanied neoplasms were observed in 2 cases. Twenty-four hamartomas (82.8%) were diagnosed by a surgical resection and 4 cases(13.8%) were diagnosed by a fine needle aspiration biopsy. Twenty-six hamartomas (89.7%) were managed by a surgical resection. The follow up ranged from 4 to 55 months (mean, 19.6 months) and no recurrent pulmonary hamartomas were noted. Conclusion : Pulmonary hamartoma is more common in females and more commonly in the right lung. Calcification was noted only in 19.2% on a plain chest X-ray and 29.4% on a chest CT. No recurrent hamartomas had developed during the follow up period.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.66 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2009

Background: The interferon-gamma assay is reported to have high sensitivity and specificity for making the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. The clinical usefulness of this essay for detecting active tuberculosis has not fully defined. We evaluated the diagnostic value of the commercial interferon-gamma assay kit (QuantiFERONTB GOLD) for patients with suspected tuberculosis. Methods: From January to August 2007, we recruited 52 patients with suspected tuberculosis infection. We performed chest X-ray, sputum smear, culture, PCR and the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test. Pleural fluid analysis and pleural biopsy were also done for the patients with pleural effusion. Results: Of the 52 patients we studied, 30 patients had a positive QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test result. 35 patients were finally diagnosed with active tuberculosis: twenty-five with a positive QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test and 10 with a negative QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test. The sensitivity of the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test was 71.4% and the specificity was 64.7%. The positive predictive value was 0.83 and the negative predictive value was 0.50. There was no significant difference of any of the clinical and laboratory characteristics between the two groups of patients except the C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The CRP level was 29.2${\pm}$27.3 mg/dL in the pulmonary tuberculosis patients with a positive QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test and 72.9${\pm}$67.9 mg/dL in the patients with a negative QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test (p<0.05). Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test were inadequate for making the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. We suggest that the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test should not be used by itself to exclude the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. The relationship of the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test and the CRP level in patients with TB would be further investigated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.20
• /
• pp.8607-8612
• /
• 2014

Background: Breast cancer patients experience a variety of altered appearance - such as loss or disfigurement of breasts, discolored skin, and hair loss - which result in psychological distress that affect their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status on the altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life among Korean breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at advocacy events held at 16 different hospitals in Korea. Subjects were eligible to participate if they were 18 years of age or older, had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer, had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis, and had no psychological problems at the time of the survey. Employment status, marital status, education, and income were assessed for patient socioeconomic status. Altered appearance distress was measured using the NCI's cancer treatment side effects scale; body image and quality of life were measured by the EORTC QLC-C30 and BR23. Means and standard deviations of each outcome were compared by socioeconomic status and multivariate linear regression models for evaluating the association between socioeconomic status and altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life. Results: A total of 126 breast cancer patients participated in the study; the mean age of participants was 47.7 (SD=8.4). Of the total, 83.2% were married, 85.6% received more than high school education, 35.2% were employed, and 41% had more than $3000 in monthly household income. About 46% had mastectomy, and over 30% were receiving either chemotherapy or radiation therapy at the time of the survey. With fully adjusted models, the employed patients had significantly higher altered appearance distress (1.80 vs 1.48; p<0.05) and poorer body image (36.63 vs 51.69; p<0.05) compared to the patients who were unemployed. Higher education (10.58, standard error (SE)=7.63) and family income (12.88, SE=5.08) was positively associated with better body image after adjusting for age, disease stage at diagnosis, current treatment status, and breast surgery type. Similarly, patients who were married and who had higher education had better quality of life were statistically significant in the multivariate models. Conclusions: Socioeconomic status is significantly associated with altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life in Korean women with breast cancer. Patients who suffer from altered appearance distress or lower body image are much more likely to experience psychosocial, physical, and functional problems than women who do not, therefore health care providers should be aware of the changes and distresses that these breast cancer patients go through and provide specific information and psychosocial support to socioeconomically more vulnerable patients.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.70-76
• /
• 2005

For clinical implementation of Enhanced Dynamic Wedge (EDW), it is necessary to adequately analyze and commission its dosimetric properties in comparison to common physical metal wedge (MTW). This study was implemented with the essential measurements of parameters for clinical application, such as percentage depth dose, peripheral dose, surface dose, effective wedge factor, and wedge profile. In addition, through the comparison study of EDW with open and MTW, the analysis was performed to characterize the EDW. We also compared EDW dose profiles of measured values using chamber array 24 (CA24) with calculated values using radiation treatment planning system. PDDs of EDW showed good agreements between $0.2\~0.5\%$ of open beam, but $2\%$ differences with MTW. In the result of the measurements of peripheral dose, it was shown that MTW was about $1\%$ higher than open field and EDW. The surface doses of $60^{\circ}$ MTW showed 10% lower than the others. We found that effective wedge factor of EDW had linear relationships according to Y jaw sizes and was independent of X jaw sizes and was independent of X jaw sizes and asymmetric Y jaw opening. In comparison with measured values and calculate values from Golden-STT based radiation treatment planning system (RTP system), it showed very good agreement within difference of $1\%$. It could be concluded that EDW is a very reliable and useful tool as a beam modification substitute for conventional MTW.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.316-321
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Differential diagnosis between arteriovenous (AVMs) aud non-arteriovenous malformations (nAVMs) is important in patients with congenital vascular malformations, because AVMs can cause hemodynamic alteration and require immediate treatment. We investigated whether transarterial lung perfusion scintigraphy (TLPS) was useful for the diagnosis and post-therapeutic evaluation of AVMs in extremities. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven patients (M:F=26:31, $21{\pm}13$ yr, 9 upper and 48 lower extremities) suspected of congenital vascular malformations in extremities underwent TLPS using $^{99m}Tc-MAA$ before embolization/sclerotherapy. Dose-corrected shunt fraction (SF) was calculated from time-activity curve of the lung. Final diagnosis of AVMs was determined by angiography. in patients with AVMs, follow-up TLPS was done for post-therapeutic evaluation. Results: Sixteen patients (8 upper and 8 lower extremities) had AVMs, while the remaining 41 had nAVMs (1 upper and 40 lower extremities). The mean SF of AVMs on TLPS was significantly higher than that of nAVMs ($66.4{\pm}25.8%\;vs.\;2.8{\pm}4.3%$), p=0.003). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of TLPS (cut-off of SF = 20.0%) in diagnosis of AVMs before treatment were 93.8% (15/16), 100% (41/41) and 98.2% (56/57), respectively. The follow-up TLPS and angiography for post-therapeutic evaluation showed concordant results in 13 of 16 patients (81.3%) with AVMs. The mean SF of TLPS was significantly decreased after embolization/sclerotherapy ($69.5{\pm}24.0%\;vs.\;41.0{\pm}34.7%$, p=0.01). Conclusion: TLPS provides hemodynamic information of AVMs in extremities semiquantitatively. Furthermore, the results of TLPS showed a high concordance rate with angiographic findings. Therefore, TLPS is useful for the diagnosis and post-therapeutic evaluation of AVMs in extremities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.44 no.12
• /
• pp.1839-1846
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cultivar and milling degree of barley on quality characteristics of Makgeolli as well as compare differences between barley Makgeolli and rice Makgeolli. Saessal-bori groups (Ss-4, Ss-12, and Ss-18) showed dry lees contents of 92.3 g, 69.4 g, and 63.8 g, respectively, whereas Huinchalssal-bori groups (Hcs-6, Hcs-14, and Hcs-20) showed contents of 62.3 g, 42.2 g, and 32.2 g. There were significant differences in quality characteristics between milling degrees and cultivars (P<0.05). The moisture, ash, crude protein, and crude fat contents of raw materials decreased with elevated milling degree. Especially, ash content of raw materials had a direct effect on Makgeolli. The pH, total acidity, and amino acidity milling with elevated decreased degree. There were no differences in total sugar or alcohol content in Makgeolli according to milling degree of barley, whereas there were significant differences between cultivars. Barley Makgeolli showed total sugar and alcohol contents of $10.7{\sim}11.8^{\circ}Brix$ and 14.07~15.07%, respectively, which were significantly lower than $12.0{\sim}12.2^{\circ}Brix$ and 17.27~17.77% in rice Makgeolli (P<0.05). Differences in colors of raw barley according to milling degree had effects on chromaticity of Makgeolli; as milling degree increased, L and b values increased. Lactic acid bacteria counts were 7.21, 6.99, and 6.67 log CFU/mL in Ss-4, Ss-12, and Ss-18, respectively, as well as 6.14, 5.39, and 5.65 log CFU/mL in Hcs-6, Hcs-14, and Hcs-20, which suggests significant reductions with increased milling degree (P<0.05). The same trend was observed in yeast as a key quality of Makgeolli. Suspension stability differed depending on milling degree, so it is expected that suspension stability can be improved by adjusting milling degree.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.37 no.11
• /
• pp.1523-1528
• /
• 2008

This study was carried out to compare the physicochemical characteristics and sensory quality of Sikhye (a Korean traditional rice beverage) prepared with specialty rice varieties. The results showed that Ilpum had higher hulling recovery, milled/brown rice ratio, and milling recovery than Sulgaeng, Baegjinju, Baegjinju 1, and Dongjinchal. The alkali digestive value, protein content, and amylose contents of Sulgaeng were 6.3, 7.3% and 19.3%, respectively. The highest brix degree was $10.00^{\circ}Bx$ in Baegjinju Sikhye. The turbidity appeared at 0.4440, 0.4100, 0.3828, 0.3372, 0.1414 in Ilpum, Baegjinju, Baegjinju 1, Sulgaeng, and Dongjinchal Sikhye, respectively. There were no significant differences in pH and maltose contents among the groups. The highest L-value was 44.62 in Ilpum Sikhye. The a-value and b-value were $-1.66{\sim}-0.70$ and $-9.18{\sim}-5.19$, respectively. Finally, the sensory evaluation results indicated that there were no significant differences in appearance, aroma, and taste between the groups, and the Sulgaeng Sikhye showed higher overall quality than the Dongjinchal Sikhye as the control.