• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.116-186
• /
• 1983

An epidemiological study on Clonorchis sinensis infection along the Nam-river (total length ; 186km) flowing in Gyeongsang-nam-do, southern part of Korea, was carried out. Formalin-ether concentration technique and Stoll's egg counting method were employed to figure out the prevalence of C. sinensis infection. For the detection of cercariae from Parafossarulus sp., the snail host of C. sinensis, each snail was placed in aerated tap water, and examined for expelled cercariae. For observing the metacercariae the fresh water fish favorably eaten in raw conditions wore prepared by means of pressing the muscles between two slide glasses and/or by digesting them with artificial gastric juice. The fresh water fish were fed to the rabbits to get the worms and to identify the morphology of adult C. sinensis. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Overall Prevalence of C. sinensis infection was 38.75 from 5,291 examinees; 44.15 (1,408 out of 3,196) in male and 30.4% (637 out of 2,095) in female. 2. The prevalence rates were 42.0% at the upper stream, 41.2% around the vicinity of Jinyanglake, 34.2% at Jinju city, 34.2% at middle stream and 40.3% at down stream regions, respectively. 3. By age, the highest positive rate (53.4∼54.3%) was observed in 30 to 59 years of age. In this age group, the rate in males was 59.7∼62.2%, and in females 42.2∼44.4%, In the age group of less than 19 years it was 7.5∼20.9%. 4. By social strata, the positive rate was 16.5% in the primary school children, 22.6% in school students, 46.2% in teachers and local officers and 49.6% in the general inhabitants. 5. The quantitative examinations with the stool collected from clonorchiasis cases revealed that the light infection (less than 4,000/EPG) was 53.6%, moderate infection (4,001∼10,000 /EPG) 30.3% and heavy infection (more than 10,001/EPG) 16.1%, respectively. More than half of total cases examined were light infection, and 73.2% of female examinees were lightly infected with this cuke. 6. The average value of EPG was 4,963 (male, 6,057; female, 2,557 and the highest value was obtained from the age group of 30 to 59 years (5,240∼6,454). 7. The prevalence of Metagonimus yokogawai infection in humans was 5.5%, and 89.8% of metagonimiasis cases wore double-infected arith C. sinensis. The highest prevalence rate was observed in Jinju city (11.2%). 8. Total of 5,005 Parafossarulus sp., the snail intermediate host of C. sinensis, were examined for the detection of cercariae. The cercarial expulsion rate was 0.34%, and the snails collected in Jin-yang-lake side and in the down stream expelled mainly the cercariae of C, sinensis. 9. About 788 cercariaejday (range: 127∼1,503) were expelled daily from a snail naturally infected with C. sinensis. The snails which released more than 1,000 cercariae/day were 30.8% out of total collected. A snail uniquely released 5,840 cercariae/day in this study. 10. The other trematode cercariae besides C. sinensis were also detected, and the rates out of total snails were the cercariae of Losogenes liberum 6.71%, Cyathocotyle orientalis 0.26%, Notocotylus attenuatus 2.52% and Mucobucaris 0.54%, 11. Ten out of 18 species of fresh water fish caught along the river harbored the metacercariae of C, sinensis. The highest rate of metacercarial infection in fish was detected in Pseudorasbora larva (85.9%). The fish mainly eaten by the inhabitants along the Nam-river, and the metacercarial infection rates were: Zacco platypus 8.0%, Hemibarbus sp. 18.2∼26.7%, Gnathepcgcn sp. 37.5%, Ischikauia steenackeri 42.9% and Pseudogobio esocinus 16.7%. 12. Out of 36 P. larva, the number of metacercariae were about 109 (ranEe; 18∼446) per fish and 27 per gram of flesh. The fish caught in spring harbored the highest number of metacercariae. As indicated above, the prevalence of C. sinensis infection in the inhabitants residing around the Nam-river was relatively high. The farther toward the upper stream areas, the higher was the positive rate of C. sinensis infection, and most of clonorchiasis cases were lightly infected. The snail hosts of C. sinensis distributed all around the Nam-river. Several species of freshwater fish were infected with the metacercariae of C. sinensis and the infection rates were relatively high. To prevent C. sinensis infection in the endemic areas, the effective health education system is suggested as a control measure, although mass treatment is also expected to be useful, using chemotherapeutic agents such as "praziquantel", a recently developed anthelminthic for C. sinensis inftraction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.10
• /
• pp.973-978
• /
• 1997

We reviewed data of 64 patients who underwent reoperation because of prosthetic valve malfunction from January 1991 to December 1995. The indications for reoperation were prosthetic valve failure(primary tissue failure: 53 patients, 82.8%), prosthetic valve thrombosis(6 patients, 9.4%), paravalvular leak(3 patients, 4.7%), prosthetic valve endocarditis(2 patients, 3.6%). Prosthetic valve failure developed most frequently in mitral portion(40 patients, 75%), prosthetic valve thrombosis also in mitral portion(4 patients, 67%), paravalvular leak significantly in aortic portio (3 patients, 100%). Explant period was longest in prosthetic valve failure(mean 107.4 $\pm$ 24.6 months), shortest in prosthetic valve endocarditis with prosthetic valve thrombosis(1 patient, 1 month). Mean explant period, defined as from first valve replacement operation to redo-valve replacement operatopn, was 109.2$\pm$ 10.7 months in mitral portion, 97.8$\pm$ 10.4 months in aortic portion, 109.5$\pm$ 10.4 months in total. Overall hospital mortality was 9.38%. The most common cause of death was the low cardiac output(4 patients), other causes were bleeding(1 patient), CNS injury(1 patient). Preoperative NYHA class IV(P=0.011), emergency operation(P=0.011), prosthetic valve endocarditis(P=0.001) were the independent risk factors, but age, sex, explant period, ACC time, double valve replacement, valve position, second reoperation did not appear to be significant risk factors. Mean follow up period was 28.8 $\pm$ 17.8 months. Actuarial survival at 3 year was 92.0$\pm$6.2%, 2 year event-free survival w s 84.3$\pm$6.1%. We propose that patients undergoing reoperation because of prosthetic valve failure are carfully controlled and selected in regarding to above mentioned risk factors NYHA class IV, emergency operation, prosthetic valve endocarditis in preoperative state. About other risk factors possible, there is necessary of following study.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.199-213
• /
• 2008

Saemangeum salt-water Lake has been created by the completion of the sea-dike in April 2006. To monitor the water qualities of the lake during the sea-dike construction, salinity, SS, nutrients(DIN, DIP, DISi), and chlorophyll-$\alpha$ was analyzed for the surface water from 1999 to 2007. Due to the dike construction, weaker tidal current and lesser resuspension of bottom sediment resulted in the marked decrease of the concentrations of SS in the lake water. Consequently the clearer lake water has provided better condition for primary production with deeper penetration of sunlight into the water column and sufficient nutrient content in the water. Finally the chlorophyll-$\alpha$ content became approximately double in the concentration after the dike construction. Highly stimulated algal production with the marked decrease of the concentrations of SS was decreased the concentration of DIP in the surface water. On the other hand the concentration of DIN and DISi in surface water was increased after dike construction due to the expansion of the freshwater and the supply from bottom layer. As a result, the lake revealed an extremely high NIP ratio and a DIP-limited ecosystem. The lake has been transformed from a typical coastal ecosystem to a brackish one. Since the dike completion, the lake has shown a similar change pattern to the Geum River estuary. Due to the salt-wedge intrusion of seawater, it is highly probable to expect the formation of low-oxygen zone at the bottom layer near the river-mouth area of the lake during the summer. Therefore we need a continuous sentinel monitoring of bottom water qualities in the near future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.12
• /
• pp.1172-1182
• /
• 1998

Background: Primary goal of anticoagulation treatment in patients with mechanical heart valve is the effective prevention of thromboembolism and safe avoidance of bleeding as well. Material and Method: Two-hundred and nine patients with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis operated on between 1984 and 1995, for mitral(MVR 122), aortic(AVR 39) and double mitral and aortic valve replacement(DVR 48) respectively, were studied on the practically achieved levels of anticoagulation and the clinical outcomes. Patients were on Coumadin and followed up by monthly visit to outpatient clinic for examination and prothrombin time measurement to adjust the International Normalized Ratios(INRs) within the low-intensity target range between 1.5 and 2.5. Result: A total anticoagulation follow-up period was 1082.0 patient- years(mean 62.1 months) and INRs of 10,205 measurements were available for evaluation. The accomplished INRs among the replacement groups were not significantly different and only 65% of INRs were within the target range. And, in individual patients, only 37% of patients had INRs included within the target range in more than 70% of tests during follow-up period. The levels of INRs in patients with atrial fibrillation, which was found in 57% of patients, were definitely higher than the ones measured in patients with regular rhythm(p<0.001). Thromboembolisms were experienced by 15 patients with the incidence of 1.265%/patient- year(MVR 1.412%, AVR 0.462% and DVR 1.531%/patient-year) and major bleeding by 4 patients with the incidence of 0.337%/patient-year(MVR 0.424%, AVR none and DVR 0.383%/patient-year). Frequent as well as prolonged missing of prothrombin time tests was the main risk factor strongly associated with the thromboembolic complications(odds ratio 1.99). The proportion of INRs within target range of less than 60% in individual patient was the highly significant risk factor of both thromboembolic and overall embolic and bleeding complications(p<0.004 and p<0.002 respectively). Conclusion: In conclusion, the low-intensity therapeutic target range of INRs was adequate in patients with AVR and in sinus rhythm. However, the patients with replacement of the mitral valve were more likely to require higher target range of INRs, especially in the presence of atrial fibrillation, to achieve the practical levels of anticoagulation enough to prevent thromboembolic complications effectively. For the higher therapeutic target range of INRs between 2.0∼3.0, further accumulation of clinical evidences are required. It is highly desirable to improve the patients' compliance under continuous instructions in visiting outpatient clinic and in taking daily Coumadin without omission and to keep INRs consistently within optimal range with tight control for minimization of chances and of periods of exposure to the risk of complications. And, particularly, patients with high risk of complications and with wide fluctuation of INRs should be better managed with frequent monitoring anticoagulation levels.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.356-363
• /
• 2004

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Recently, every effort has been made to improve the long term survival, but the general prognosis for patients with this disease remains poor. In this study, we reviewed 8 years of experiences with esophageal cancer patients managed in our department at Dong-A University Hospital and evaluated the effectiveness of cervical lymph node dissection performed selectively. Material and Method: From January 1995 to August 2003, 70 patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in our department. Among them, 51 patients who underwent curative resection, had no double primary tumors and no neoadjuvant therapy were analyzed retrospectively. In most patients, intrathoracic esophagectomy and cervical esophago-gastrostomy was performed. Since 1997, 3-field lymph node dissection was performed selectively. Result: There were 46 men and 15 women. The median age was 60 years. The tumor was located in the upper third part in 10 patients (19%), middle third in 21 (41%), and lower third in 20 (40%). Majority of the patients (90%) had squamous cell carcinoma. Cervical anastomosis was made in 41 patients, and intrathoracic anastomosis in 10. 2-field lymph node dissection was done in 40 patients, and 3-field lymph node dissection in 11. The pathologic staging were as follows: stage I in 9 patients (17.6%), IIA in 20 (39.2%), IIIB in 7 (13.7%), III in 11 (21.6%), IVA in 2 (3.9%), and IVB in 2 (3.9%). The in-hospital mortality was 3.9% (2 patients) and complications occurred in 24 patients (47%). Overall actuarial 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were 74.4%, 48.4%, and 48.4% including operative mortality. The 4-year survival rate did not differ significantly between 3-field lymph node dissection group (50.5%) and 2-field lymph node dissection group (48.9%). In 3-field lymph node dissection group, the respiratory complications were more frequent and operative time was significantly longer. Conclusion: We think that curative resection for esophageal cancer can be performed with acceptable mortality, and aggressive surgical approach may improve the long term survival. even for advanced stages. Effectiveness of 3-field lymph node dissection needs further investigations.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.97-103
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Radical surgery is the standard therapy for patients with resectable cardia cancer. In the case of type II disease with esophageal invasion, a transhiatal extended radical total gastrectomy is needed or a gastroesophagectomy through an abdomino-thoracotomy, depending on the extent of the esophageal invasion. We analyzed the indications and outcome of left colon interposition as an esophageal substitution. Materials and Methods: Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2006, 10 patients underwent left colon interposition after gastroesophagectomy through an abdomino-thoracotomy or the tanshiatal approach for type II cardia cancer at the Department of surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The outcomes of these patients were reviewed and compared, with those who underwent a Roux-en-Y, by gender and age matched analysis, retrospectively. Results: There were nine males and one female with a mean age of 52.5 (range, 16~72). The operation time was $449.00{\pm}87.39minutes$. The mean distance between the proximal resection margin and the cancer was $6.56{\pm}3.65cm$; the maximum size of the tumor was $9.90{\pm}3.97cm$. These measures differed significantly from patients who underwent Roux-en-Y. The patients had a double primary cancer in the cardia and esophagus. There were no events of colon necrosis. However, a pneumothorax occurred in one patient (10%) and a proximal anastomotic stricture occurred in one patient. There were no reports of heartburn, regurgitation, thoracic or epigastric fullness, and one patient even gained weight, 16 kg. Conclusion: Colon interposition after esophagogastrectomy was safe and effective and should be considered as an additional surgical option for locally advanced type II cardia cancer patients with esophageal invasion.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2008.10a
• /
• pp.1520-1521
• /
• 2008

There are several ways to demonstrate white organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) for displays and solid state lighting applications. Among these approaches are the stacked three primary or two complementary colors light-emitting layers, multiple-doped emissive layer, and excimer and exciplex emission [1-10]. We report on white phosphorescent excimer devices by using two light emitting materials based on platinum complexes. These devices showed a peak EQE of 15.7%, with an EQE of 14.5% (17 lm/W) at $500\;cd/m^2$, and a noticeable improvement in both the CIE coordinates (0.381, 0.401) and CRI (81). Devices with the structure ITO/PEDOT:PSS/TCTA (30 nm)/26 mCPy: 12% FPt (10 nm) /26 mCPy: 2% Pt-4 (15 nm)/BCP (40 nm)/CsF/Al [device 1], ITO/PEDOT:PSS/TCTA (30 nm)/26 mCPy: 2% Pt-4 (15 nm)/26 mCPy: 12% FPt (10 nm)/BCP (40 nm)/CsF/Al [device 2], and ITO/PEDOT:PSS/TCTA (30 nm)/26 mCPy: 2% Pt-4: 12% FPt (25 nm)/BCP (40 nm)/CsF/Al [device 3] were fabricated. In these cases, the emissive layer was either the double-layer of 26 mCPy:12% FPt and 15 nm 26 mCPy: 2% Pt-4, or the single layer of 26mCPy with simultaneous doping of Pt-4 and FPt. Device characterization indicates that the CIE coordinates/CRI of device 2 were (0.341, 0.394)/75, (0.295, 0.365)/70 at 5 V and 7 V, respectively. Significant change in EL spectra with the drive voltage was observed for device 2 indicating a shift in the carrier recombination zone, while relatively stable EL spectra was observed for device 1. This indicates a better charge trapping in Pt-4 doped layers [10]. On the other hand, device 3 having a single light-emitting layer (doped simultaneously) emitted a board spectrum combining emission from the Pt-4 monomer and FPt excimer. Moreover, excellent color stability independent of the drive voltage was observed in this case. The CIE coordinates/CRI at 4 V ($40\;cd/m^2$) and 7 V ($7100\;cd/m^2$) were (0.441, 0.421)/83 and (0.440, 0.427)/81, respectively. A balance in the EL spectra can be further obtained by lowering the doping ratio of FPt. In this regard, devices with FPt concentration of 8% (denoted as device 4) were fabricated and characterized. A shift in the CIE coordinates of device 4 from (0.441, 0.421) to (0.382, 0.401) was observed due to an increase in the emission intensity ratio of Pt-4 monomer to FPt excimer. It is worth noting that the CRI values remained above 80 for such device structure. Moreover, a noticeable stability in the EL spectra with respect to changing bias voltage was measured indicating a uniform region for exciton formation. A summary of device characteristics for all cases discussed above is shown in table 1. The forward light output in each case is approximately $500\;cd/m^2$. Other parameters listed are driving voltage (Bias), current density (J), external quantum efficiency (EQE), power efficiency (P.E.), luminous efficiency (cd/A), and CIE coordinates. To conclude, a highly efficient white phosphorescent excimer-based OLEDs made with two light-emitting platinum complexes and having a simple structure showed improved EL characteristics and color properties. The EQE of these devices at $500\;cd/m^2$ is 14.5% with a corresponding power efficiency of 17 lm/W, CIE coordinates of (0.382, 0.401), and CRI of 81.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.309-315
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Accurate evaluation of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis of head and neck squamous cell canter (SCC) is important to treatment planning. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the detection of cervical LN metastasis of head and neck SCC and performed a retrospective comparison with CT/MRI findings. Materials & Methods: Seventeen patients with pathologically proven head and neck SCC underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT and CT/MRI within 4 week before surgery. We recorded lymph node metastases according to the neck level system of imaging-based nodal classification. F-18 FDG PET/CT images were analyzed visually for assessment of regional tracer uptake in LN. We analyzed the differences in sensitivity and specificity between F-18 FDG PET/CT and CT/MRI using the Chi-square test. Results: Among the 17 patients, a total of 123 LN levels were dissected, 29 of which showed metastatic involvement. The sensitivity and specificity of F-18 FDG PET/CT for detecting cervical LN metastasis on a level-by-level basis were 69% (20/29) and 99% (93/94). The sensitivity and specificity of CT/MRI were 62% (18/29) and 96% (90/94). There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between F-18 FDG PET/CT and CT/MRI. Interestingly, F-18 FDG PET/CT detected double primary tumor (hepatocellular carcinoma) and rib metastasis, respectively. Conclusion: There was not statistically significant difference of diagnostic accuracy between F-18 FDG PET/CT and CT/MRI for the detection of cervical LN metastasis of head and neck SCC. The low sensitivity of F-18 FDG PET/CT was due to limited resolution for small metastatic deposits.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.22 no.1 s.25
• /
• pp.125-135
• /
• 1989

This paper was carried out to study on correlation between mentally retardation and lead and zinc. The subjects were 297 mentally retarded children: 132 of Bomyung special school and Sunmyung, which were located in Taegu city of Korea. The former had their parents but the latter had not. The control group 63 children were randomly seleted from the Dong-in primary school near to Medical School of Kyungpook National University. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, model IL-551 connected with CTF atomizer(IL. 655) was used for the analysis of lead and zinc. The mean value of lead in hair of mentally retarded children was $14.97{\pm}3.71ppm$ which is significantly higher than that of control group, $11.36{\pm}2.83ppm$. But the content of zinc was not significant in both groups. In the lead there was no significant correlation to age but significant negative correlation to IQ. Zinc showed significant correlation to age but not to IQ. Among the handicapped children, no signigicant correlation between orphan group and non orphan group. Handicaps of mentally-retarded children were speech impairment, emotional disturbance, double and triple handicaps, sensory impairment and abnormal dietary patterns. There were significantly higher contents of lead compared with normal group, except the latter two groups. The disease conditions of mentally retarded children were mongolism, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and microcephaly. In comparing with mongolism, significant difference were existent only on the cerebral palsy and group of unknown etiology. We attempted to divide their past history into external etiology and internal etiology, but could not find significant difference. In view of the whole results, the relationship between mentally-retarded children and lead was presumed to be the early time exposure rather than long interval exposure during growth and the contact opportunity was considered important subject in maternal and child health care.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.347-362
• /
• 2020

Iron (hydro)oxides in aqueous environments are primarily formed due to mining activities, and they are known to be typical colloidal particles disturbing surrounding environments. Among them, hematites are widespread in surface environments, and their behavior is controlled by diverse factors in aqueous environments. This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of environmental factors, such as ionic composition and strength, pH, and natural organic matter (NOM) on the behavior of colloidal hematite particles. In particular, two analytical methods, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS) and single-particle ICP-MS (spICP-MS), were compared to quantify and characterize the behavior of colloidal hematites. According to the variation of ionic composition and strength, the aggregation/dispersion characteristics of the hematite particles were affected as a result of the change in the thickness of the diffuse double layer as well as the total force of electrostatic repulsion and van der Walls attraction. Besides, the more dispersed the particles were, the farther away the aqueous pH was from their point of zero charge (PZC). The results indicate that the electrostatic and steric (structural) stabilization of the particles was enhanced by the functional groups of the natural organic matter, such as carboxyl and phenolic, as the NOM coated the surface of colloidal hematite particles in aqueous environments. Furthermore, such coating effects seemed to increase with decreasing molar mass of NOM. On the contrary, these stabilization (dispersion) effects of NOM were much more diminished by divalent cations such as Ca²⁺ than monovalent ones (Na⁺), and it could be attributed to the fact that the former acted as bridges much more strongly between the NOM-coated hematite particles than the latter because of the relatively larger ionic potential of the former. Consequently, it was quantitatively confirmed that the behavior of colloidal hematites in aqueous environments was significantly affected by diverse factors, such as ionic composition and strength, pH, and NOM. Among them, the NOM seemed to be the primary and dominant one controlling the behavior of hematite colloids. Meanwhile, the results of the comparative study on DLS and spICPMS suggest that the analyses combining both methods are likely to improve the effectiveness on the quantitative characterization of colloidal behavior in aqueous environments because they showed different strengths: the main advantage of the DLS method is the speed and ease of the operation, while the outstanding merit of the spICP-MS are to consider the shape of particles and the type of aggregation.