• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.828-834
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of outpatient day-care management of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA), and to present the risks associated with different management strategies by comparing the outcomes and adverse events between outpatient day-care management and management with longer admission periods. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study used prospectively registered data and was approved by a local institutional review board. We enrolled 956 UIAs from 811 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 57 ± 10.7 years; male:female = 247:564) from 2017 to 2020. We compared the outcomes after embolization among the different admission-length groups (1, 2, and ≥ 3 days). The outcomes included pre- and post-modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores and rates of adverse events, cure, recurrence, and reprocedure. Events were defined as any cerebrovascular problems, including minor and major stroke, death, or hemorrhage. Results: The mean admission period was 2 days, and 175 patients (191 aneurysms), 551 patients (664 aneurysms), and 85 patients (101 aneurysms) were discharged on the day of the procedure, day 2, and day 3 or later, respectively. During the mean 17-month follow-up period (range 6-53 months; 2757 patient years), no change in post-mRS was observed compared to pre-mRS in 99.6% of patients. Cure was achieved in 95.6% patients; minimal recurrence that did not require re-procedure occurred in 3.5% patients, and re-procedure was required in 2.3% (22 of 956) patients due to progressive enlargement of the recurrent sac during follow up (mean 17 months, range, 6-53 months). There were eight adverse events (0.8%), including five cerebrovascular (two major stroke, two minor strokes and one transient ischemic stroke), and three non-cerebrovascular events. Statistical comparison between groups with different admission lengths (1, 2, and ≥ 3 days) revealed no difference in the outcomes. Conclusion: This study revealed no difference in outcomes and adverse events according to the admission period, and suggested that UIA could be managed by outpatient day-care embolization.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.736-745
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• 2020

Objective: To identify the initial chest computed tomography (CT) findings and clinical characteristics associated with the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and Methods: Baseline CT scans and clinical and laboratory data of 72 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia (39 men, 46.2 ± 15.9 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline CT findings including lobar distribution, presence of ground glass opacities, consolidation, linear opacities, and lung severity score were evaluated. The outcome event was recovery with hospital discharge. The time from symptom onset to discharge or the end of follow-up (for those remained hospitalized) was recorded. Data were censored in events such as death or discharge without recovery. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore the association between initial CT, clinical or laboratory findings, and discharge with recovery, whereby hazard ratio (HR) values < 1 indicated a lower rate of discharge at four weeks and longer time until discharge. Results: Thirty-two patients recovered and were discharged during the study period with a median length of admission of 16 days (range, 9 to 25 days), while the rest remained hospitalized at the end of this study (median, 17.5 days; range, 4 to 27 days). None died during the study period. After controlling for age, onset time, lesion characteristics, number of lung lobes affected, and bilateral involvement, the lung severity score on baseline CT (> 4 vs. ≤ 4 [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.41 [95% confidence interval, CI = 0.18-0.92], p = 0.031) and initial lymphocyte count (reduced vs. normal or elevated [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.14 [95% CI = 0.03-0.60], p = 0.008) were two significant independent factors that influenced recovery and discharge. Conclusion: Lung severity score > 4 and reduced lymphocyte count at initial evaluation were independently associated with a significantly lower rate of recovery and discharge and extended hospitalization in patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.242-246
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• 2017

The application of composite cathode materials including $LiFePO_4$ (lithium iron phosphate) of olivine crystal structure, which has high thermal stability, were investigated as alternatives for hybrid battery-capacitors with a $LiMn_2O_4$ (spinel crystal structure) cathode, which exhibits decreased performance at high temperatures due to Mn-dissolution. However, these composite cathode materials have been shown to have a reduction in capacity by conducting life cycle experiments in which a $LiFePO_4$/activated carbon cell was charged and discharged between 1.0 V and 2.3 V at two temperatures, $25^{\circ}C$ and $60^{\circ}C$, which caused a degradation of the anode due to the lowered voltage in the anode. To avoid the degradation of the anode, composite cathodes of $LiFePO_4/LiMn_2O_4$ (50:50 wt%), $LiFePO_4$/activated carbon (50:50 wt%) and $LiNi_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ (50:50 wt%) were prepared and the life cycle experiments were conducted on these cells. The composite cathode including $LiNi_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ of layered crystal structure showed stable voltage behavior. The discharge capacity retention ratio of $LiNi_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ was about twice as high as that of a $LiFePO_4/LiMn_2O_4$ cell at thermal stability experiment for a duration of 1,000 hours charged at 2.3 V and a temperature of $80^{\circ}C$.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.62-66
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• 2013

Purpose: I-131 is a radioisotope widely used for thyroid gland treatments. The physical half life is 8.01 and characterized by emitting beta and gamma rays which is used in clinical practice for the purpose of acquiring treatment and images. In order to reduce the recurrence rate after surgery in high-risk thyroid cancer patients, the remaining thyroid tissue is either removed or the I-131 is used for treatment during relapse. In cases of using a high dosage of radioactive iodine requiring hospitalization, the patient is administered dosage in the hospital isolation ward over a certain period of time preventing I-131 exposure to others. By checking the radiation amount emitted from patients before discharge, the patients are discharged after checking whether they meet the legal standards (50 uSv/h). After patients are discharged from the hospital, the contamination level is checked in many parts of the ward before the next patients are hospitalized and when necessary, decontamination operations are performed. It is expected that there is exposure to radiation when measuring the ward contamination level and dose check emitted from patients at the time of discharge whereby the radiation exposure by health workers that come from the patients in this process is the main factor. This study analyzed the correlation between discharge dose of patients and ward contamination level through a variety of factors such as renal functions, gender, age, dosage, etc.). Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 151 patients who received high-dosage radioactive iodine treatment at Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital during the period between 8/1/2011~5/31/2012 (Male: Female: 31:120, $47.5{\pm}11.9$, average dosage of $138{\pm}22.4$ mCi). As various factors expected to influence the patient discharge dose & ward contamination such as the beds, floors, bathroom floors, and washbasins, the patient renal function (GFR), age, gender, dosage, and the correlation between the expected Tg & Tg-Tb expected to reflect the remaining tissue in patients were analyzed. Results: In terms of the discharge dose and GFR, a low correlation was shown in the patient discharge dose as the GFR was higher (p < 0.0001). When comparing the group with a dosage of over 150mCi and the group with a lower dosage, the lower dosage group showed a significantly lower discharge dose ($24{\pm}10.4uSv/h$ vs $28.7{\pm}11.8uSv/h$, p<0.05). Age, gender, Tg, Tg-Tb did not show a significant relationship with discharge dose (p> 0.05). The contamination level in each spot of the treatment ward showed no significant relationship with GFR, Tg, Tg-Tb, age, gender, and dosage (p>0.05 ). Conclusion: This study says that discharge of the dose in the patient's body is low in GFR higher and Dosage 150mCi under lower. There was no case of contamination of the treatment ward, depending on the dose and renal association. This suggests that patients' lifestyles or be affected by a variety of other factors.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 1999

As part of an on-going project investigating flux of materials in the Keum River Estuary, we have monitored seasonal variations of nutrients, suspended particulate matter (SPM), chlorophyll, and salinity since 1997. Meteorological data and freshwater discharge from the Keum River Dike were also used, Our goal was to answers for (1) what is the main factor for the seasonal fluctuation of nutrients in the Keum River Estuary? and (2) are there any differences in nutrient distributions before and after the Keum River Dike construction? Nitrate concentrations in the Keum River water were kept constant through the year. Whereas other nutrients varied with evident seasonality: high phosphate and ammonium concentrations during the dry season and enhanced silicate contents during the rainy season. SPM was found similar trend with silicate. During the rainy season, the freshwater discharged from the Keum River Dike seemed to dilute the phosphate and ammonium, but to elevate SPM concentration in the Keum Estuary. In addition, the corresponding variations of SPM contents in the estuarine water affected the seasonal fluctuations of nutrients in the Estuary. The most important source of the nutrients in the estuarine water is the fluvial water. Therefore, the distribution patterns of nutrients in the Estuary are conservative against salinity. Nitrate, nitrite and silicate are conservative through the year. The distribution of phosphate and ammonium on the other hand, display two distinct seasonal patterns: conservative behavior during the dry season and some additive processes during the rainy days. Mass destruction of freshwater phytoplankton in the riverine water is believed to be a major additive source of phosphate in the upper Estuary. Desorption processes of phosphate and ammonium from SPM and organic matter probably contribute extra source of addition. Benthic flux of phosphate and ammonium from the sediment into overlying estuarine water can not be excluded as another source. After the Keum River Dike construction, the concentrations of SPM decreased markedly and their role in controlling of nutrient concentrations in the Estuary has probably diminished. We found low salinity (5~15 psu) within 1 km away from the Dike during the dry season. Therefore we conclude that the only limited area of inner estuary function as a real estuary and the rest part rather be like a bay during the dry season. However, during the rainy season, the entire estuary as the mixing place of freshwater and seawater. Compared to the environmental conditions of the Estuary before the Dike construction, tidal current velocity and turbidity are decreased, but nutrient concentrations and chance of massive algal bloom such as red tide outbreak markedly increased.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.139-154
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• 2008

The nearly 75% of animal feed materials used for livestock production are imported every year in Korea. Most of imported feed ingredients are concentrated feeds such as com, wheat, soybean, soybean meal, etc. and they are used as the source materials for the production of assorted feed. The imported concentrated feeds are high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Therefore, the consistent import of feed ingredients may cause an increase of nutrient deposit in our agricultural ecosystem. In the current review, it was discussed with the situation of the feed importation and its nutritional composition to evaluate the nutrient load by the imported feeds onto agricultural ecosystem. The nutrient load caused by imported feeds in agricultural environment was compared with the nutrient demand for crop production. The amounts of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ introduced by the imported fteds in Korea were 371, 140 and 143 Ktons. And, the N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ loads excreted from imported feeds in livestock were 148, 84 and 86 Ktons of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ and These nutrient loads by the imported feeds are at the percentage of N 52%, $P_2O_5$ 52% and $K_2O$ 42% in the comparison of total nutrient amounts excreted from livestock animals in Korea. The 82.3% of nutrients excreted from livestock was recycled to crop land as compost and liquid fertilizer, and the others were discharged to river after water treatment processing or disposed to ocean. Also, passing through the recycling process far the production of compost and liquid fertilizer, the amount of nutrients was reduced by the ammonia vaporization of livestock feces and urine. Accordingly, N 81, $P_2O_5$ 74 and $K_2O$ 76 Ktons in the nutrients excreted from livestock were estimated to be utilized in the crop land. Consequently, it was estimated that 44, 48 and 69 Ktons of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ were taken up with crops in the consideration of the ratio of mineralization, and the amounts of leached or deposited N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ in crop land were estimated to be 37, 27 and 7 Ktons, respectively. It is estimated that 12%, 34% and 48% of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ introduced by the imported feeds were used by crops, and 10%, 34% and 5% of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ were leached or deposited in agricultural ecosystem. Therefore, considering the leached and deposited amounts of N, $P_2O_5\;and\;K_2O$ originated from the imported feed ingredients, the consistent import of feeds may gradually increase the nutrient load onto agricultural ecosystem.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.50-59
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• 2023

The amount of dust generated during the dissolution of scrap in an electric arc furnace is approximately 1.5% of the scrap metal input, and it is primarily collected in a bag filter. Electric arc furnace dust primarily consists of zinc and ion. The processing of zinc starts with its conversion into pellet form by the addition of a carbon-based reducing agent(coke, anthracite) and limestone (C/S control). These pellets then undergo reduction, volatilization, and re-oxidation in rotary kiln or RHF reactor to recover crude zinc oxide (60%w/w). Next, iron is discharged from the electric arc furnace dust as a solid called Fe clinker (secondary by-product of the Fe-base). Several methods are then used to treat the Fe clinker, which vary depending on the country, including landfilling and recycling (e.g., subbase course material, aggregate for concrete, Fe-source for cement manufacturing). However, landfilling has several drawbacks, including environmental pollution due to leaching, high landfill costs, and wastage of iron resources. To improve Fe recovery in the clinker, we pulverized it into optimal -sized particles and employed specific gravity and magnetic force selection methods to isolate this metal. A carbon-based reducing agent and a binding material were added to the separated coarse powder (>10㎛) to prepare briquette clinker. A small amount (1-3%w/w) of the briquette clinker was charged with the scrap in an electric arc furnace to evaluate its feasibility as an additives (carbonaceous material, heat-generating material, and Fe source).

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2004

Purpose: Current treatment for osteoid osteomas is usually surgical excision of the nidus. Various minimal invasive techniques have been reported to overcome the invasiveness of the surgical excision. We treated 22 patients with osteoid osteoma by percutaneous thermoablation of the nidus under computed-tomography guidance. Materials and Methods: Twenty two consecutive patients underwent CT-guided percutaneous radio-frequency thermoablation between April 1999 and May 2004. The mean age was 26.5(7~55) years. In three cases, the diagnosis was confirmed pathologically before the prodedure while the others clinically and radiologically. Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous RF ablation was performed with general or spinal anesthesia. With an RF electrode, the lesion was heated to 80 or 90 degrees C for 6(3~8) minutes. Clinical success was assessed at a mean of 30(4~62) months after the procedure at out patient clinic or by telephone interview. Results: The procedure was technically successful in all cases except a complication. Patients were discharged on 1.9 days after the procedure and resumed normal activities immediately. All patients but three (86%) remained pain free during follow-up (range 4~62 months). A second thermoablation treatment relieved the recurrent symptoms in 2 patients and the remained had persistent pain without a second prodedure. Conclusion: Percutaneous thermoablation appears to be safe and effective for osteoid osteomas, and is a minimally invasive procedure alternative to surgical resection.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.48-55
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• 2009

Purpose: As Korean nuclear law doesn't have any clear guideline about the dose and the external dose rate(uSv/h) requiring hospitalization in radioactive iodine treated patients, the patients are discharged when they meet the guideline of IAEA Basic Safety Standards(BSS). We measured external dose rate(${\mu}Sv/h$) of inpatient underwent 3700MBq (100 mCi) $^{131}I$ radioiodine treatment and considering external dose rate(${\mu}Sv/h$), residual activity(mCi) and excretion rate(%) we found the time for RA to be lowered from 3700MBq (100 mCi) to 1110 MBq (30 mCi) to give reference to set a guideline for discharge. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients underwent thyroidectomy and scheduled for radioiodine treatment, who received 3700MBq (100 mCi) of $^{131}I$ orally and had no renal disease were examined. After 1, 2, 4, 8, and 20, 24, 40 hours iodine uptake and before/after the urination, the external dose rate(${\mu}Sv/h$) measured using FH40G-L(Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., MA) at a distance and a height of 1 m for 20 sec on the average. Results and Conclusions: At 20 hours, the external dose rate was decreased to $49{\pm}13\;{\mu}Sv$/h, namely, 78% of administrated radioactivity was excreted and 814 MBq (30 mCi) was residual, and it met the accepted limit for discharge of (IAEA, BSS) under 1110 MBq (30 mCi) (1 m at 66 uSv/h).

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2005

Purpose: Critical pathways (CP), also known as clinical pathways, are management plans that display goals for patients and have led to improved outcomes for many disease entities. This study was aimed at developing a critical pathway for the surgical treatment of gastric cancer patients and evaluating its usefulness. Materials and Methods: A CP was developed and implemented by a team of surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, and administrative officials. Among the 117 patients who received curative gastrectomies for gastric cancer at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, between October 2003 and August 2004, 26 patients were treated according to the CP. We evaluated its usefulness by comparing the clinical characterisctics, postoperative progress, hospital stays, and costs between the CP and the non-CP groups. Patient satisfaction was also surveyed with questionnaires. Results: Of the initial 26 patients in the CP group, two were excluded from the final evaluation; one patient had a duodenal stump leakage, and the other had a gastric stasis postoperatively. In 8 patients, protocol violation occurred; six patients refused to be discharged on the $7^{th}$ postoperative day, one patient who had an gastric staisis postoperatively stayed for 2 additional days, and one patient who needed ICU care stayed for 4 additional days. The drop-out rate was $7.7\%$ (2/26), and the variance rate was $30.8\%$ (8/26). The mean hospital stay was 11.3 days ($10\~15$ days) for the CP group compared with 17.5 days ($9\∼68$ days) for the non-CP group, resulting in a difference of about 6 days (P<0.05). The mean hospital stays after surgery were 10.3 days ($7\∼68$ days) and 8.3 days ($7\∼12$ days) for the non-CP and the CP groups, respectively, but the difference was statistically not significant (P>0.05). The mean charge during the hospital stay was higher in the non-CP group ( $\\$ 6,292,200) than in the CP group ( $\\$ 4,863,685). The charge per hospital day was higher in the CP group ( $\\$ 430,414) than in the non-CP group ( $\\$ 359,554). Patient satisfaction was higher in the CP group than in the non-CP group. Conclusion: By developing and applying a critical pathway in the surgical treatment of stomach cancer patients, we could reduce the length of hospital stay as well as the cost. A multi-centered prospective study to establish a standard treatment pathway and to demonstrate its effectiveness is needed in the future.