• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.517-525
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• 1992

Background: Since its development by Saiki et al, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been very useful in various fields of molecular biology. PCR can be used for the detection of a very small amount of microbial agent, and is especially useful in those patients who are difficult to diagnose microbiologically or serologically. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a very slowly growing organism and AFB staining frequently shows false negative results, and therefore PCR would be a very rapid, easy, and sensitive diagnostic method for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Method: To compare PCR with conventional methods in diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum, we used sputa of patients who visited or were admitted to Seoul National University Hospital. The amplification targets were 383 base pair DNA, a part of 2520 base pair DNA encoding 65 kD Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific protein (the primers are TB-1, -2), and 123 base pair DNA, a part of IS6110 fragment, which multiple copies are known to exsist PCR one genome (the primers are Sal I-1, -2). We also requested AFB staing and culture to the lab of Seoul National University Hospital with the same sample and compared the results. Results: 1) Using TB-1, -2 primers, PCR was positive in 73.1% (19/26) of culture positive sputa, in 12.5% (1/8) of culture negative. but clinically diagnosed tuberculous sputa, and was negative in all sputa of patients who were clinically diagnosed as non-tuberculous etiology. 2) Using Sal I-I, -2 primers, PCR was positive in 94.1% (32/34) of culture positive sputa, in 23.1% (6/26) of culture negative, but clinically diagnosed tuberculous sputa, and was negative in 87.5% (14/16) of sputa from patients who were clinically diagnosed as non-tuberculous etiology. Conclusion: PCR could be a very rapid, sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputa, and further studies should be followed for the development of easier method.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 1996

Background : We can diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis with sputum AFB smear and culture, but sputum AFB smear has low sensitivity and culture needs long period, and they are not available in the patients who can not expectorate effectively. Recently developed, PCR is a fast diagnostic tool in tuberculosis, but false positive and false negative are important problems. So, we studied the diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid AFB smear, culture, PCR through the bronchoscopy. Methods : The 67 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 43 non-pulmonary tuberculosis patients were analyzed with their sputum specimen AFB smear and culture. Also, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were done, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid AFB smear, culture and PCR were done. Results: 1) In the cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, the sensitivity of sputum AFB smear and culture were 32.8% and 57.4%, respectively. And the sensitivity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid AFB smear and culture were 47.8% and 80.6%. respectively. 2) In the cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, the sensitivity and the positive predictive value(for predicting a positive culture) of PCR were 80.6% and 81.5%, respectively. 3) In the cases of sputum AFB smear-negative and culture-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, the sensitivity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid AFB smear, culture, PCR, and the positive predictive value(for predicting a positive culture) of PCR were 23.1%, 100%, 88.5%, and 82.4%, respectively. 4) The specificity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PCR was 77.0%. 5) The median number of days between obtaining a specimen and starting therapy was 5 days for sputum AFB smear, 9 days for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid AFB smear, 26 days for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PCR, 32 days for sputum culture, 56 days for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid culture. Conclusion : The sensitivity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid AFB smear and culture are higher than sputum AFB smear and culture. So, the bronchoscopy must be considered for evaluating suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients from whom smears of expectorated sputum do not reveal mycobacteria or from whom no sputum can be obtained. Especially, combined with PCR, it is expected that pulmonary tuberculosis can be diagnosed more rapidly and more accurately, so bronchoalveolar lavage fluid APB smear and PCR can be helpful in the early treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 1998

Background: It is sometimes difficult to differentiate tuberculous pleural effusion from malignant pleural effusion by clinical symptoms, signs, by routine tests of pleural fluid, and by pathologic studies. And recently, it was discovered that cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$ are elevated in tuberculous pleural fluid, and there have been several attempts to diagnose tuberculous pleural effusion by using these immunological mediators. There are several studies regarding the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$, and there are two studies in Korea. But the diagnostic values of IFN-$\gamma$ in these studies were slightly lower than those in other countries. To compare the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$ with those of CEA and ADA, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of IFN-$\gamma$ in Korean, we mesured IFN-$\gamma$, CEA level and ADA activity in pleural effusions. Methods: ADA activity, IFN-$\gamma$ level and CEA level as well as cell count, differential count, and biochemical assays such as protein content and lactate dehydrogenase were measured in 40 cases of tuberculous pleuritis and 42 cases of malignant pleural effusion. Results: Tuberculous pleural fluid showed higher levels of IFN-$\gamma$ and ADA ($832.6{\pm}357.2$ pg/ml and $82.5{\pm}25.9$ U/L, respectively) than those of malignant pleural effusion ($2.6{\pm}8.0$ pg/ml and $19.2{\pm}10.9$ U/L, respectively) (p<0.01). Malignant pleural effusions showed higher median value (102.2 ng/ml) than tubercalous pleural effusions (1.8 ng/ml) (p<0.01). The sensitivities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 0.97, 0.87, 0.67 and the specificities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 1.0, 0.97, 1.0, respectively. There was no significant correlation between ADA activity and IFN-$\gamma$ level. Conclusion: This study showed that IFN-$\gamma$ test would be a very useful clinical test for differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis and malignant pleural effusion because it is very sensitive and specific, although it is an expensive test.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 1998

1. Purpose : The correct constitutional diagnosis and the accurate prescription are very important in clinical application of Sasang Constitutional Medicine. Lee Je-ma emphasized that symptom is the best clue to diagnose constitution in "DongYi Suse Bowon". After research the characteristics of each constitution's symptoms and the backgrounds of constitutional prescriptions, this paper is to know the correct clinical application of Sasang Constitutional Medicine. 2. Method : Through the clinical applications of "DongYi Soose Bowon" and "Dongyi Sasang Sinpeun", the characteristics of constitutional symptoms and the application of prescription were researched 3. Results & Conclusions 1) The symptoms of Sasang Constitutional Medicine were came from the Hyung-Sang Medicine(形象醫學) which were important to mind-body equally and from the summarizing spirit of four Qi such as Warm-Hot-Cool-Cold(溫熱凉寒) 2) The symptoms of Soeumin and Soyangin are the Cold-Hot symptoms of ingestive food(水穀) and the treatment of symptoms is to control the ascent-descent of up and down. The symptoms of Taeumin and Taeyangin are the Warm-Cool symptoms of Qi-Yack(氣液) and the treatment of symptom is to control the unfasten-fasten of interior and exterior. 3) The symptoms of Taeyangin are 'Weak Lower part and Firm Upper part symptom'(下虛上實病證) and 'Blood and Yack Exhasted Symptom'(血液俱耗病證), the symptoms of Soeumin are 'Fall Down Symptom'(下陷病證) and Stomach Cold Symptom(胃寒病證), the symptoms of taeumin is 'Dryness Fever Symptom'(燥熱病證) and 'Interior Fever Symptom'(燥熱病證), the symptoms of Soyangin is 'Fire Fever Symptom'(火熱病證) and 'Interior Fever Symptom'(燥熱病證). 4) The characteristics of sasang constitutional symptoms are the exterior-interior symptoms classified with nature-emotion and cool-hot, the inclusive control of exterior-interior symptoms with healthy energy, and the classification of ingestive food symptoms and Qi-Yack symptoms. 5) The characteristics to treat symptoms are the classification of seriousness and obedience, the use herbs according to each constitutions, and inclusive symptoms control.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2009

The detection methods are required to monitor and diagnose the abnormality on the insulation condition inside a gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). Due to a good sensitivity to the products decomposed by partial discharges (PDs) in $SF_6$ gas, the development of a SWNT gas sensor is actively in progress. However, a few numerical studies on the diffusion mechanism of the $SF_6$ decomposition products by PD have been reported. In this study, we modeled $SF_6$ decomposition process in a chamber by calculating temperature, pressure and concentration of the decomposition products by using a commercial CFD program in conjunction with experimental data. It was assumed that the mass production rate and the generation temperature of the decomposition products were $5.04{\times}10^{-10}$ [g/s] and over 773 K respectively. To calculate the concentration equation, the Schmidt number was specified to get the diffusion coefficient functioned by viscosity and density of $SF_6$ gas instead rather than setting it directly. The results showed that the drive potential is governed mainly by the gradient of the decomposition concentration. A lower concentration of the decomposition products was observed as the sensors were placed more away from the discharge region. Also, the concentration increased by increasing the discharge time. By installing multiple sensors the location of PD is expected to be identified by monitoring the response time of the sensors, and the information should be very useful for the diagnosis and maintenance of GIS.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.413-418
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• 2011

This study was carried out to establish a proper cultivation site and diagnose the drought-tolerance of Aster scaber and Synurus deltoides leaves by using Pressure-volume curves. In order to measure pressure-volume (P-V) curves, Aster scaber and Synurus deltoides were cut off above ground part and the tip of the cutting were placed in water, which was covered with a plastic bag. Samples were kept overnight (about 12 hours) in darkness at room temperature (20~25$^{\circ}C$) to achieve maximal turgor (full saturation). The pressure in the chamber was gradually increased from 0.3MPa to 1.8MPa by nitrogen gas. After measured, leaf samples were dried at 80$^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours and dry weight of each samples were determined. The result of the original bulk osmotic potential at maximum turgor ${\Psi}^{sat}_o$ sat was lower -0.8 MPa in Aster scaber leaves than -0.7 MPa Synurus deltoides leaves. Also the osmotic potential at incipient plasmolysis ${\Psi}^{tlp}_o$ in Aster scaber leave was -0.9 MPa. In contrast, the value of maximum bulk modulus of elasticity $E_{max}$ of Aster scaber leaves were approximately two folds higher than that of Synurus deltoides leaves. The values of the relative water content at incipient plasmolysis $RWC^{tlp}$ are all above 90% showing that the function of osmoregulation is somewhat better, and Vo/DW, Vt/DW, Ns/DW of Synurus deltoides leaves were approximately 1~2 times higher than that of Aster scaber leaves. Thus, responses to water relations of Aster scaber and Synurus deltoides such as ${\Psi}^{sat}_o$, ${\Psi}^{tlp}_o$, $E_{max}$, ${\Psi}_{P,max}$, $RWC^{tl}$ were shown that the Aster scaber leaves was slightly higher drought-tolerance than Synurus deltoides leaves. However, in both of Aster scaber and Synurus deltoides, occurring incipient plasmolysis at the high water content, have a relatively lower drought-tolerance property indicating that growth of these plants are cultivated appropriate in high moisture soil sites.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2011

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a substantially under-diagnosed disorder, and the diagnosis is usually delayed until the disease is advanced. However, the benefit of early diagnosis is not yet clear, and there are no guidelines in Korea for doing early diagnosis. This review highlights several issues regarding early diagnosis of COPD. On the basis of several lines of evidence, early diagnosis seems quite necessary and beneficial to patients. Early diagnosis can be approached by several methods, but it should be confirmed by quality-controlled spirometry. Compared with its potential benefit, the adverse effects of spirometry or pharmacotherapy appear relatively small. Although it is difficult to evaluate the benefit of early diagnosis by well-designed trials, several lines of evidence suggest that we should try to diagnose and manage patients with COPD at early stages of the disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.498-505
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• 2004

Purpose: We compared captopril renal scintigraphic criteria for the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension by unilateral renal artery stenosis. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 24 patients (m/f : 16/8, age: $39{\pm}18$ years) with unilateral renal artery stenosis who underwent renal artery revascularization and captopril renal scintigraphy with $^{99m}Tc$-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid between May 1995 and April 2004. The blood pressure response was classified as cure/improvement or failure. We evaluated captopril-induced changes in relative function (BCfun) and renogram grade (0 to 5: 0=normal, and 5=renal failure pattern without measurable uptake) (CBren) and the difference of renograms between the normal and stenotic kidney on captopril scan (CNren). Results: light of 24 patients were cured and 11 improved and 5 patients were classified as failed revascularization. Significant predictors of a cure or improvement of blood pressure were younger age, stenosis by fibromuscular dysplasia or arteritis, BCfun, CBren and CNren. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of age, BCfun, CBren and CNren were not significantly different. Positive and negative predictive values of predictors were 100% and 42% (age ${\leq}38$): 92% and 50% (BCfun ${\geq}1%$): 92% and 75% (CBren ${\geq}1$), and 90% and 60% (CNren ${\geq}1$), respectively. Conclusion: Captopril induced changes in renal function and renogram can reliably predict hypertension response to revascularization. Renogram pattern on captopril scan can diagnose renovascular hypertension without baseline data in patients with unilateral renal artery stenosis.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.68-82
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• 2017

Strengthening surveillance, one of the most important factors in the crime prevention environment of cultural heritages, has difficulty in evaluating and diagnosing the site. For this reasons, surveillance enhancement has been assessed by modelling the shape of cultural heritage, topography, and trees digitally. The purpose of this study is to develop the evaluation method of crime prevention environment for cultural heritage by using the 3D visual exposure index (3DVE) which can quantitatively evaluate the surveillance enhancement in three dimensions. For the study, the evaluation factors were divided into natural, organizational, mechanical, and integrated surveillance. To conduct the analysis, the buildings, terrain, walls, and trees of the study site were modeled in three dimensions and the analysis program was developed by using the Unity 3D. Considering the working area of the person, it is possible to analyze the surveillance point by dividing it into the head and the waist position. In order to verify the feasibility of the 3DVE as the analysis program, we assessed the crime prevention environment by digitally modeling the Donam Seowon(Historic Site No. 383) located in Nonsan. As a result of the study, it was possible to figure out the problems of patrol circulation, the blind spot, and the weak point in natural, mechanical, and organizational surveillance of Donam Seowon. The results of the 3DVE were displayed in 3D drawings, so that the position and object could be identified clearly. Surveillance during the daytime is higher in the order of natural, mechanical, and organizational surveillance, while surveillance during the night is higher in the order of organizational, mechanical, and natural surveillance. The more the position of the work area becomes low, the more it is easy to be shielded, so it is necessary to evaluate the waist position. It is possible to find out and display the blind spot by calculating the surveillance range according to the specification, installation location and height of CCTV. Organizational surveillance, which has been found to be complementary to mechanical surveillance, needs to be analyzed at the vulnerable time when crime might happen. Furthermore, it is note that the analysis of integrated surveillance can be effective in examining security light, CCTV, patrol circulation, and other factors. This study was able to diagnose the crime prevention environment by simulating the actual situation. Based on this study, consecutive researches should be conducted to evaluate and compare alternatives to design the crime prevention environment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of CT arthrography (CTA) by conducting a comparative study of CTA and MR arthrography (MRA) with the arthroscopic findings in the same patients. Materials and methods: Forty nine patients who suffered from shoulder disease underwent MRA and CTA concurrently. The sensitivity and specificity of CTA was evaluated, as compared to MRA, in the case of four types of shoulder pathological lesions. The accuracy of CTA was evaluated by analyzing the arthroscopic findings of thirty four patients. Results: Compared to MRA, CTA showed a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 100% for diagnosing supraspinatus tendon (SST) full thickness tear, and CTA showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97.5% for making the diagnosis of superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesion. For diagnosing partial articular side supraspinatus avulsion (PASTA) lesion, some studies have shown the usefulness of CTA with a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 97.7%. However, for diagnosing SST bursal side partial tear, the sensitivity of CTA was as low as 10%. CTA has been shown to be relatively accurate when the diagnoses were verified with the arthroscopic findings; diagnosing SST full thickness tear and SLAP lesion with CTA has shown an accuracy of 100% and87.5% respectively, and CTA showed 71.4% diagnostic accuracy for PASTA lesion. Conclusion: CTA was a useful tool and it was equivalent to MRA for the assessment of SST full thickness tear, SLAP lesion and PASTA lesion, but not bursal side partial tear. Thus, it may be used preferably to diagnose shoulder pathology and for follow up as an inexpensive tool after operation.