• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2000

Purpose : To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of postoperative e지ernai beam radiotherapy for patients with low grade glioma of the brain and define the optimal radiotherapeutic regimen. Materials and Methods : Between June, 1985 and May, 1998, 72 patients with low grade gliomas were treated with postoperative radiotherapy immediately following surgery. Median age was 37 years with range of 11 to 76 years. Forty one patients were male and 31 patients were female with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. Of those patients, 15 underwent biopsy alone and remaining 57 did subtotal resection. The distribution of the patients according to histologic type was as follows: astrocytomas-42 patients (58$\%$), mixed oligodendrogliomas-19 patients (27$\%$), oiigodendrogliomas-11 patients (15$\%$). Two patients were treated with whole brain irradiation followed by cone down boost and remaining 70 patients were treated with localized field with appropriate margin. Ail of the patients were treated with conventional once a day fractionation. Most of patients received total tumor dose of 5000 $\~$ 5500 cGy. Results : The overall 5 and 7 year survival rates for entire group of 72 patients were 61$\~$ and 50$\~$. Corresponding disease free survival rates for entire patients were 53$\~$ and 45$\~$, respectively. The 5 and 7 year overall survival rates for astrocytomas, mixed oligodendrogiiomas, and oligodendrogiiorras were 48$\%$ and 45$\%$, 76$\%$ and 56$\%$, and 80$\%$ and 52$\%$, respectively. Patients who underwent subtotal resection showed better survival rates than those who did biopsy alone. The overall 5 year survival rates for sub total resection patients and biopsy alone patients were 57$\%$ and 43$\%$, respectively. Forty six patients who were 40 years or younger survived batter than 26 patients who were 41 years or older (overall survival rate at 5 years, 69$\%$ vs 45$\%$). Although one patient was not able to complete the treatment because of neurological deterioration, there was no significant treatment related acute toxicities. Conclusion : Postoperative radiotherapy was safe and effective treatment for patients with low grade gliomas. However, we probably need prospective randomized trial to define optimal treatment timing and schedule for low grade gliomas and select patient group for different treatment philosophies.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.359-368
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to examine distribution and damages of the trails of inquiry of urban natural parks. Those parks were located at south-north green corridor at Incheon being mountainous type of urban natural parks that were core area of urban ecosystem preservation to of urban natural parks that citizens recently made use of them as nature experience type of leisure and recreation place from time to time, and to supply basic material deciding on the ways to improve the trails of nature preservation type. The survey sites included Geyang Park, Baekma Park, Yaksa Park, Munhak Park and Cheongryang Park. The number of main trails was 42 at Geyang Park, 43 at Baekma Park, 9 at Yaksa Park, 28 at Munhak Park, and 22 at Cheongryang Park, and it was excessively more than optimum needed: The number of branch trails of the parks seemed to increase. The bared trail width in average of the roads was 3.5m, while maximum depth in average was 21.3cm. The trails were thought to be deteriorated rapidly without systematic maintenance. The 5th and 6th grade of the impact rating class that required restoration because of serious deterioration occupied 19.6∼78.0%. Based on the findings, the study suggested ways to improve and manage the trails of inquiry of urban natural parks that were placed at south-north green corridor at Incheon.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.48-67
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• 2013

This study was focused on the recognition of historical values and the establishment of conservation schemes for a Silla stone monument in Bongpyeong-ri, Uljin by combining the humanistic investigation of inscription reinterpretation and the scientific conservational diagnosis of deterioration. According to the investigation of inscription, a total of 13 letters were reconsidered compared to the preceding researches. Thus, the meaning and interpretation of previous inscription was partially changed. This monument is composed of gneissose leucogranite and the most suitable site as provenance of the stone would be the Jukbyeon seashore (2.1km). The site shows similar color, size and composition of minerals, gneissose structure and magnetic susceptibility as the Bongpyeong stone monument. This monument developed a structural crack (crack index 0.4) and a microcrack (crack index 2.0) along the gneissose structure. The horizontal strength is weaker than the vertical strength. Therefore, the cracks should be reinforced and treated. However, consolidating is not urgently needed because the total weathering grade by ultrasonic velocity shows the stage of moderate weathering(3,403m/s, 0.32). Also, the major problems of chemical deterioration are blackening (85.2%) with soil, iron oxide,rubbing mark, and salt crystals (17.3%) from the sea. Therefore, the contaminants and the salt crystals should be removed using pressure spray and pulp paper, while the application of poultice should be examined through clinical tests.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of postoperative radiotherapy for patients with low-grade astrocytomas and to define an optimal radiotherapeutic regimen and prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 69 patients with low-grade astrocytomas underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy immediately following surgery at our institution between October 1989 and September 2006. The median patient age was 36 years. Forty-one patients were 40 years or younger and 28 patients were 41 years or older. Fourteen patients underwent a biopsy alone and the remaining 55 patients underwent a subtotal resection. Thirty-nine patients had a Karnofsky performance status of less than 80% and 30 patients had a Karnofsky performance status greater than 80%. Two patients were treated with whole brain irradiation followed by a coned down boost field to the localized area. The remaining 67 patients were treated with a localized field with an appropriate margin. Most of the patients received a dose of $50\sim55$ Gy and majority of the patients were treated with a dose of 54 Gy. Results: The overall 5-year and 7-year survival rates for all of the 69 patients were 49% and 44%, respectively. Corresponding disease free survival rates were 45% and 40%, respectively. Patients who underwent a subtotal resection showed better survival than patients who underwent a biopsy alone. The overall 5-year survival rates for patients who underwent a subtotal resection and patients who underwent a biopsy alone were 57% and 38%, respectively (p<0.05). Forty-one patients who were 40 years or younger showed a better overall 5-year survival rate as compared with 28 patients who were 41 years or older (56% versus 40%, p<0.05). The overall 5-year survival rates for 30 patients with a Karnofsky performance status greater than 80% and 39 patients with a Karnofsky performance status less than 80% were 51% and 47%, respectively. This finding was not statistically significant. Although one patient was not able to complete the treatment because of neurological deterioration, there were no significant treatment related toxicities. Conclusion: Postoperative radiotherapy following surgery is a safe and effective treatment for patients with low-grade astrocytomas. The extent of surgery and age were noted as significant prognostic factors in this study. However, further effective treatment might be necessary in the future to improve long-term survival rates.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.211-225
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• 2018

The Stupa of the State Preceptor Jigwang from the Beopcheonsaji temple site in Wonju (National Treasure No. 101) was built in the Goryeo Period (around the 11th century), with very excellent style and techniques. It was returned to the Korea after being taken to Osaka of Japan without notice in 1912, and was severely damaged during the Korean War. Subsequently, the Stupa was restored using restoration materials like mortar, and relocated to the National Palace Museum of Korea. Surface contaminants in the Stupa primarily existed around the restoration materials. Black discoloration, which indicates a high discoloration grade, signified a high possession rate in the north and inner regions of the Stupa, which may be related to the relative moisture maintenance time. Most surface contaminants were calcite and gypsum; the black discoloration area underwent secondary discoloration due to air pollution. Moreover, the stone properties exhibited a relatively low discoloration grade, exhibiting crystallized contaminants that partly covered the rock-forming minerals. Overall, the Stupa deteriorated due to discoloration and being covered by lime materials, which were dissolved as the mortar degraded. Hence, it required contaminants removal, surface cleaning and desalination during conservation treatment, in order to control the rate of physicochemical deterioration by contaminants.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2011

Objective : Pyogenic spondylitis often results in acute neurological deterioration requiring adequate surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the clinical effect of continuous irrigation via laminotomy in a series of patients with pyogenic spondylitis in thoracic and lumbar spine. Methods : The authors conducted a retrospective investigation of 31 consecutive patients with pyogenic thoracic and lumbar spondylitis who underwent continuous irrigation through laminotomy from 2004 to 2008. The study included 22 men and 9 women, ranging in age from 38 to 78 years (mean 58.1 years). The average follow-up duration was 13.4 months (range, 8-34 months). We performed debridement and abscess removal after simple laminotomy, and then washed out epidural and disc space using a continuous irrigation system. Broad spectrum antibiotics were administered empirically and changed according to the subsequent culture result. Clinical outcomes were based on the low back outcome scale (LBOS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Frankel grade at the last follow-up. Radiological assessment involved plain radiographs, including functional views. Results : Common predisposing factors included local injection for pain therapy, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and liver cirrhosis. Causative microorganisms were identified in 22 cases (70.9%) : Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. were the main organisms. After surgery, LBOS, VAS score, and Frankel grade showed significant improvement in most patients. Spinal stability was maintained during the follow-up period, making secondary reconstructive surgery unnecessary for all patients, except one. Conclusion : Simple laminotomy with continuous irrigation by insertion of a catheter into intervertebral disc space or epidural space was minimally invasive and effective in the treatment of pyogenic spondylitis. This procedure could be a beneficial treatment option in patients with thoracolumbar spondylitis combined with minimal or moderate destructive change of vertebrae.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.437-446
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• 2021

Objective : To investigate the radiographic characteristics of the uppermost instrumented vertebrae (UIV) and UIV+1 compression fractures that are predictive of revision surgery following long-segment spinal fixation. Methods : A total 27 patients who presented newly developed compression fracture at UIV, UIV+1 after long segment spinal fixation (minimum 5 vertebral bodies, lowest instrumented vertebra of L5 or distal) were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups according to following management : revisional surgery (group A, n=13) and conservative care (group B, n=14). Pre- and postoperative images, and images taken shortly before and after the occurrence of fracture were evaluated for radiologic characteristics Results : Despite similar degrees of surgical correction of deformity, the fate of the two groups with proximal junctional compression fractures differed. Immediately after the fracture, the decrement of adjacent disc height in group A (32.3±7.6 mm to 23.7±8.4 mm, Δ=8.5±6.9 mm) was greater than group B (31.0±13.9 mm to 30.1±15.5 mm, Δ=0.9±2.9 mm, p=0.003). Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging indicated that group A patients have a higher grade of disc degeneration adjacent to fractured vertebrae compared to group B (modified Pfirrmann grade, group A : 6.10±0.99, group B : 4.08±0.90, p=0.004). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that decrement of disc height was the only associated risk factor for future revision surgery (odds ratio, 1.891; 95% confidence interval, 1.121-3.190; p=0.017). Conclusion : Proximal junctional vertebral compression fractures with greater early-stage decrement of adjacent disc height were associated with increased risk of future neurological deterioration and necessity of revision. The condition of adjacent disc degeneration should be considered regarding severity and revision rate of proximal junctional kyphosis/proximal junction failures.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.180-192
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• 2024

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are found in diverse environments, such as soils, rivers, and seas. Hence, they can be used as bioindicators to assess the water quality based solely on their presence. In this study, we determined the presence of FLA in river water by filtering water samples collected from various sites and culturing the resulting filtrates. FLA were detected in all the water samples with varying quality grades (Grades I-V). The significant increase in the size of the amoebae population with the deterioration in the water quality. Monoxenic cultures of the amoebae were performed, and genomic DNAs were isolated, among which 18S rDNAs were sequenced to identify the amoeba species. Of the 12 species identified, 10 belonged to the Acanthamoeba genus; of the remaining 2 species, one was identified as Vannella croatica and the other as a species of Vermamoeba. Acanthamoeba was detected in samples with Grades I to VI quality, whereas the Vermamoeba species was present only in Grade I water. V. croatica was found exclusively in water with Grade II quality. Following morphological observations, genomic DNA was sequenced using 16S rDNA to determine whether the species of Acanthamoeba harbored endosymbionts. Most of the isolated Acanthamoeba contained endosymbionts, among which 4 species of endogenous bacteria were identified and examined using transmission electron microscopy. This study provides evidence that the distribution of amoebae other than Acanthamoeba may be associated with water quality. However, further confirmation will be required based on accurate water quality ratings and assessments using a more diverse range of FLA.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.267-278
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• 2020

This paper reports on the result of an experimental investigation carried out to study the compressive strength and sorptivity properties of blended cement concrete exposed to 5% and 10% MgSO₄ solution using fly ash (FA) and silpozz. Usually in sulphate environment the minimum grade of concrete is M30 and the mix design is done for target mean strength of 39 MPa. Silpozz is manufactured by burning of agro-waste rice husk in designed furnace in between 600° to 700℃ which is one of the main agricultural residues obtained from the outer covering of rice grains during the milling process. There are four mix series taken with control mix. The control mix made 0% replacement of FA and silpozz with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The first mix series made 0% FA and 10-30% replacement of silpozz with OPC. The second mix series made with 10% FA and 10-40% replacement of silpozz with OPC. The third mix series made 20% FA and 10-30% replacement of silpozz with OPC and the fourth mix series made 30% FA and 10-20% silpozz replaced with OPC. The samples (cubes) are prepared and cured in normal water and 5% and 10% MgSO₄ solution for 7, 28 and 90 days. The studied parameters are compressive strength and strength deterioration factor (SDF) for 7, 28 and 90 days. The water absorption and sorptivity tests have been done after 28 days of normal water and magnesium sulphate solution curing. The investigation reflects that the blended cement concrete incorporating FA and silpozz showing better resistance against MgSO₄ solution when compared to normal water curing (NWC) samples.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.99-116
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Needle-Embedding Therapy on dementia patients. Methods : We recruited 3 dementia patients who have been experiencing memory disorder and orientation disorder. The patients had been evaluated with Mini-Mental State Examination-K (MMSE-K), Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). The patients were treated with herbal medication (Sunghyangjunggi-san) and acupuncture. After 15 days, the patients were added to Needle-Embedding Therapy. We measured MMSE-K, GDS and CDR for every 15 days. The effects of additional Needle-Embedding Therapy were compared with the effects of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Results : After Needle-Embedding Therapy was added, Patients' memory and orientation have been improved and the score of MMSE-K ascended. The grade of GDS and CDR were maintained or decreased. Conclusions : This study suggests that Needle-Embedding Therapy is significantly effective on Dementia patients.