• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.264-272
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• 2007

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in angiogenesis, including stimulating the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). It has been known that diabetes is associated with accelerated cellular proliferation via VEGF, as compared to that under a normal glucose concentration. We investigated the effects of selective blockade of a VEGF receptor by using anti-Flt-1 peptide on the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in balloon injured-carotid arteries of OLETF rats and also on the in vitro VSMCS' migration under high glucose conditions. Material and Method: The balloon-injury method was employed to induce neointima formation by VEGF. For f4 days beginning 2 days before the ballon injury, placebo or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) specific peptide (anti-Flt-1 peptide), was injected at a dose of 0.5mg/kg daily into the OLETF rats. At 14 days after balloon injury, the neointimal proliferation and vascular luminal stenosis were measured, and cellular proliferation was assessed by counting the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained cells. To analyze the effect of VEGF and anti-Flt-1 peptide on the migration of VSMCs under a high glucose condition, transwell assay with a matrigel filter was performed. And finally, to determine the underlying mechanism of the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on the VEGF-induced VSMC migration in vitro, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was observed by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result: Both the neointimal area and luminal stenosis associated with neointimal proliferation were significantly decreased in the anti-Flt-1 peptide injected rats, ($0.15{\pm}0.04 mm^2$ and $ 36.03{\pm}3.78%$ compared to $0.24{\pm}0.03mm^2\;and\;61.85{\pm}5.11%$, respectively, in the placebo-injected rats (p<0.01, respectively). The ratio of PCNA(+) cells to the entire neointimal cells was also significantly decreased from $52.82{\pm}4.20%\;to\;38.11{\pm}6.89%$, by the injected anti-Flt-1 peptide (p<0.05). On the VSMC migration assay, anti-Flt-1 peptide significantly reduced the VEGF-induced VMSC migration by about 40% (p<0.01). Consistent with the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on VSMC migration, it also obviously attenuated the induction of the MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions via VEGF in the VSMCS. Conclusion: Anti-Flt-1 peptide inhibits the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in a balloon-injured carotid artery model of OLETF rats. Anti-Flt-1 peptide also inhibits the VSMCs' migration and the expressions of MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA induced by VEGF under a high glucose condition. Therefore, these results suggest that specific blockade of VEGFR-1 by anti-Flt-1 peptide may have therapeutic potential against the arterial stenosis of diabetes mellitus patients or that occurring under a high glucose condition.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2011

Purpose : To compare free-breathing and respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted imaging on 1.5-T MR system in the detection of hepatic lesions. Materials and Methods: This single-institution study was approved by our institutional review board. Forty-seven patients (mean 57.9 year; M:F = 25:22) underwent hepatic MR imaging on 1.5-T MR system using both free-breathing and respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at a single examination. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed respiratory-triggered and free-breathing sets (B50, B400, B800 diffusion weighted images and ADC map) in random order with a time interval of 2 weeks. Liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR of DWI were calculated measuring ROI. Results : Total of 62 lesions (53 benign, 9 malignant) that included 32 cysts, 13 hemangiomas, 7 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 5 eosinophilic infiltration, 2 metastases, 1 eosinophilic abscess, focal nodular hyperplasia, and pseudolipoma of Glisson's capsule were reviewed by two reviewers. Though not reaching statistical significance, the overall lesion sensitivities were increased in respiratory-triggered DWI [reviewer1: reviewer2, 47/62(75.81%):45/62(72.58%)] than free-breathing DWI [44/62(70.97%):41/62(66.13%)]. Especially for smaller than 1 cm hepatic lesions, sensitivity of respiratory-triggered DWI [24/30(80%):21/30(70%)] was superior to free-breathing DWI [17/30(56.7%):15/30(50%)]. The diagnostic accuracy measuring the area under the ROC curve (Az value) of free-breathing and respiratory-triggered DWI was not statistically different. Liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR of respiratory-triggered DWI ($87.6{\pm}41.4$, $41.2{\pm}62.5$) were higher than free-breathing DWI ($38.8:{\pm}13.6$, $24.8{\pm}36.8$) (p value < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted MR imaging seemed to be better than free-breathing diffusion-weighted MR imaging on 1.5-T MR system for the detection of smaller than 1 cm lesions by providing high SNR and CNR.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.191-203
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• 1999

The objectives of this study were to investigate 1) the effects of Selenium(Se), Vitamin E (Vit. E) or recombinant Bovine Somatotropin(rBST) administration on fresh and frozen/thawed semen characteristics and 2) the effect of taurine on frozen/thawed semen characteristics in Hanwoo sires Hanwoo sires were randomly assigned to five groups (1. control, 2. rBST, 0.09mg/kg body weight (BW), 3. Vito E 1,500IU/kg BW, 4. Se 0.l mg/kg BW, 5. Vit. E 1,500IU plus Se 0.1 mg/kg BW). The administration of Se, Vit. E and rBST for each experimental group were given 6 times at 15 days interval by intramuscular injection. The administration of Se, Vit. E or rBST in Hanwoo sires didn't affect semen volume and pH values, but sperm viability was significantly increased comparing to the control group. Also, frozen/thawed semen analysis showed that the sperm viability increased, but any other effects were not found in total sperm :lumber, motility and abnormality among treatments. The addition of taurine in semen freezing extender had a beneficial effects on frozen/thawecl semen characteristics in all groups. The administrations of rBST, Vit. E and Se did not affect the sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction, either the ratio of F pattern(uncapacitated and acrosome intact sperm) or AR pattern(capacitated and acrosome-reacted sperm), but the ratio of B patten(capacitated and acrosome intact sperm) of treatment groups was significantly higher than that of control group, These results indicated that the viability, motility and quality of semen in Hanwoo sires were slightly increased by the injection of rBST, Vit. E and Se, and the addition of taurine in semen freezing extender were also increased the semen characteristics after thawing.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of adiponectin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children, and to elucidatethe relationship between these adipokines and insulin resistance. Methods: A total of 61 obese children (M : F=42 : 19, mean age 11.2${\pm}$1.3 years) admitted to our facility between March 2004 and June 2005 were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups based on their NAFLD status obese children without fatty liver (N=23); obese children with simple steatosis (N=20); and obese children with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (N=18). The serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured, and insulin resistance determined by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was calculated to estimate insulin resistance. In addition, the VSR (visceralsubcutaneous fat ratio) was estimated using abdominal computed tomography. Results: There was no difference in serum TNF-${\alpha}$ and leptin levels observed between the 3 groups (22.13${\pm}$6.37 vs. 21.35${\pm}$6.95 vs. 25.17${\pm}$9.30; p=0.342 & 20.29${\pm}$8.57 vs. 16.42${\pm}$6.85 vs. 20.10${\pm}$7.86; p=0.330). However, the serum adiponectin level was significantly lower in children with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) than in the other two groups (6.08${\pm}$1.38 in children without steatosis vs. 5.69${\pm}$0.79 in simple steatosis vs. 4.93${\pm}$1.75 in NASH; p=0.026). In addition, the VSR was significantly increased in the NASH group (0.31${\pm}$0.08 vs. 0.32${\pm}$0.11 vs. 0.47${\pm}$0.14; p=0.001), and HOMA-IR revealed a significant difference among the three groups (4.77${\pm}$3.67 vs. 6.89${\pm}$7.05 vs. 10.42${\pm}$6.73; p=0.000). However, there was no significant correlation observed between the adiponectin levels and the HOMA-IR or the VSR (r=-0.117; p=0.450 & r=-0.106; p=0.499). Conclusion: Insulin resistance may affect the development of hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis in children, and the results of this study suggest that, of several adipokines evaluated, adiponectin is important in the progression of steatosis to steatohepatitis in obese children.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.22 no.3 s.74
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• pp.145-157
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• 2004

The cycle length design model of the Korean traffic responsive signal control systems is devised to vary a cycle length as a response to changes in traffic demand in real time by utilizing parameters specified by a system operator and such field information as degrees of saturation of through phases. Since no explicit guideline is provided to a system operator, the system tends to include ambiguity in terms of the system optimization. In addition, the cycle lengths produced by the existing model have yet been verified if they are comparable to the ones minimizing delay. This paper presents the studies conducted (1) to find shortcomings embedded in the existing model by comparing the cycle lengths produced by the model against the ones minimizing delay and (2) to propose a new direction to design a cycle length minimizing delay and excluding such operator oriented parameters. It was found from the study that the cycle lengths from the existing model fail to minimize delay and promote intersection operational conditions to be unsatisfied when traffic volume is low, due to the feature of the changed target operational volume-to-capacity ratio embedded in the model. The 64 different neural network based cycle length design models were developed based on simulation data surrogating field data. The CORSIM optimal cycle lengths minimizing delay were found through the COST software developed for the study. COST searches for the CORSIM optimal cycle length minimizing delay with a heuristic searching method, a hybrid genetic algorithm. Among 64 models, the best one producing cycle lengths close enough to the optimal was selected through statistical tests. It was found from the verification test that the best model designs a cycle length as similar pattern to the ones minimizing delay. The cycle lengths from the proposed model are comparable to the ones from TRANSYT-7F.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.599-612
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• 2017

Human hair (HH) is produced as a waste from beauty parlor and barbershop. HH-based adhesives were formulated with NaOH-hydrolyzed HH, $H_2SO_4$-hydrolyzed chicken blood (CB) and PF as a crosslinking agent. Physicochemical properties and retention rate against hot water of the adhesives were measured to investigate the potential of HH as a raw material of wood adhesives. HH was composed of keratin-type protein of 80% and over. Ash of less than 0.1% was contained in HH. Among the amino acids included in HH, glutamic acid showed the highest content, followed by cysteine, serine, arginine and threonine. Solid content of the adhesives ranged from 33.2% to 41.8% depending on hydrolysis conditions of HH and PF type. Viscosity at $25^{\circ}C$ ranged from 300 to $600mPa{\cdot}s$ resulting in a sprayable adhesive. Retention rate against hot water measured to evaluate the water resistance of adhesives was the highest in the cured resin formulated with 5% NaOH-hydrolyzed HH and 5% $H_2SO_4$-hydrolyzed CB. Meanwhile, the molar ratio of formaldehyde to phenol in PF did not have a significant impact on the retention rate of HH-based adhesives. When the retention rates of HH-based adhesives were compared to those of conventional wood adhesive resins used for the production of wood-based panels extensively, HH-based adhesives formulated with 30 wt% PF showed lower retention rate than commercial urea-formaldehyde resin. However, when PF content was increased to 35 wt%, the retention rate greatly increased and approached to that of commercial melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin. Except for the results mentioned above, the analysis of economic feasibility suggests that HH-based adhesives can be used for the production of wood-based panels if HH is hydrolyzed in proper conditions and then the HH-based adhesives are formulated by the HH hydrolyzates with 35 wt% PF.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2465-2472
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• 2014

Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) published a new staging system ($7^{th}$ edition) in 2009. In our study, we evaluated the survival results and prognostic factors among T4 local advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) patients in a large heterogeneous group, in accordance with this new system. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the files of 122 T4 N0-3 M0 LA-NSCLC patients, identified according to the new staging system, treated at two centers between November 2003 and June 2012. Variables correlating with univariate survival at p<0.20 were later included in multivariate Cox regression analysis. Here, selection of relevant predictors of survival was carried out in accordance with the likelihood ratio formula with p<0.05 regarded as significant. Results: The median age was 60 and the median follow-up period was 17.4 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 18.3 months, the 1 year overall survival (OS) rate was 72%, and the 5 year OS rate was 28%. Statistically significant predictors of survival were (p<0.20) ECOG-PS (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status), age, T4 factor subgroup, stage and primary treatment in OS univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis for OS ECOG-PS (p=0.001), diagnostic stage (p=0.021), and primary treatment (p=0.004) were significant. In the group receiving non-curative treatment, the median OS was 11.0 months, while it was 19.0 months in the definitive RT group and 26.6 months in the curative treatment group. There was a significant difference between the non-curative group and the groups which had definitive RT and curative operations (respectively p<0.001 and p=0.001) in terms of OS, but not between the groups which had definitive RT and curative operations. The median event free survival (EFS) rate was 9.9 months, with rates of 46% and 19% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. On univariate analysis of EFS rate with ECOG-PS, weight loss and staging, statistical significance was found only for thorax computerized tomography (CT)+18F-fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) use, stage and primary treatment (p<0.20). In multivariate analysis with EFS, only the primary treatment was statistically significant (p=0.001). In the group receiving non-curative treatment, the median EFS was 10.5 months while in the curative operation group it was 14.7 months. When all the primary treatment groups were taken into consideration, grade III/IV side effect swas observed in 57 patients (46.6%). Esophagitis was most prominent among those that received definitive radiotherapy. Conclusions: Independent prognostic factors among these 122 heterogeneous LA-NSCLC T4 N0-3 M0 patients were age at diagnosis, ECOG-PS, stage and primary treatment, the last also being a significant prognostic indicator of EFS. Our findings point to the importance of appropriate staging and a multidisciplinary approach with modern imaging methods in this patient group. In those with T4 lesions, treatment selection and the effective use of curative potential should be the most important goal of clinical care.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.62-66
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• 2000

Annealing cycle number and nonmagnetic layer thickness dependences of interlayer coupling field ( $H_{inf}$ ) and coercivity ( $H_{cf}$ ) of free magnetic layer on NiMn alloy-spin valve films (SVF) were investigated. The SVF is Glass (7059)/N $i_{81}$F $e_{l9}$(70 $\AA$)/Co(10 $\AA$)/Cu(t $\AA$)/Co(15 $\AA$)N $i_{81}$$Fe_{19}$(35 $\AA$)/N $i_{25}$M $n_{75}$(250 $\AA$)Ta(50 $\AA$) films, it were fabricated using the dc sputtering method at different pinning layer thickness and nonmagnetic spacer thickness (Cu thickness; 30 $\AA$, 35 $\AA$, 40 $\AA$) of NiMn alloy with 25 at.%. Ni In case that Cu thickness of SVF is 35 $\AA$ and peak exchange coupling field ( $H_{ex}$) was 620 Oe, while coercivity $H_{c}$ = 280 Oe and MR ratio showed 2.5%. As for $H_{inf}$ and $H_{cf}$ , every SVF increased up to the stabilized values with the increase of annealing cycle number 15, which were $H_{inf}$ of 120 Oe and $H_{cf}$ of 75 Oe. The increase of $H_{cf}$ with the annealing cycle number seems to be caused by the effective reduction of Cu layer thickness due to the increase of interfacial mixing of Cu layer and Co layer. In addition, the $H_{inf}$ and $H_{cf}$ dependences of free NiFe layer by the interfacial mixing effect were appeared the different aspects when Cu layer becomes more thinner and thicker than Cu layer thickness of 35 $\AA$, respectively.ively....

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) injection on conception and parturition rates in normal or repeat breeding Hanwoo. We treated 462 cows containing 79 repeat-breeding cows of multiparous and allocating 5 treatment groups. Treatment 1 (T1) was injection of 2ml saline (for pseudo treatment), T2 was one injection of rbST 250mg into the tailhead region at the estrus, T3 was twice injection of rbST 250mg both at the time of insemination and again 10 to 14 day later, T4 was once injection of rbST 500mg at insemination and T5 was twice injection of 500mg rbST both at the time of insemination and again 10 to 14day later respectively. In rbST treated groups, timed artificial inseminations (TAI) were performed fellowing estrus synchronization. 100 us GnRH was injected into the scapula region on Day 0, 25mg $PGF_2{\alpha}$ was injected on Day 7 for degeneration of corpus luteum (CL) and 100ug GnRH was injected for inducing the synchronization. The results are as fellows; When normal Hanwoo were inseminated once with rbST administration, the pregnancy rate of T2 $(67.5\pm18.48\%)$ were higher than control $(52.4\pm9.72\%)$, while the pregnancy rate of T4 $(63.3\pm5.77\%)$ were significantly higher (p.<0.05) than control $(39.3\pm12.89\%)$ in repeat breeder Hanwoo. The parturition rates of normal Hanwoo were no differences among the treatments but were significant different in repeat breeder Hanwoo (p<0.05). When the estrous was induced by Ovsynch and inseminated once with rbST administration, the pregnancy rates of T2 was $12.5\%$ higher than control in normal Hanwoo, T4 $(80.0\%)$ was highest among the treatments (p<0.05) in repeat breeder Hanwoo. When normal Hanwoo were inseminated once with rbST administration, the pregnant period was $282.7\~284.8$ days and the body weight was $25.1\~25.9kg$, there were no difference among the treatments. The ratio of sex was almost same without T4 (male vs. female=18:9). In repeat breeder Hanwoo, pregnant period was 280.4~289.3 day and body weight was $23.0\~26.6kg$, it had no difference among the treatments. The sex ratio were similar to normal Hanwoo except T4 (M : F=2 : 8). In conclusion, the pregnancy and parturition rate by once insemination could be improved by the administration of rbST 250mg in normal Hanwoo or 500mg in repeat breeder Hawoo.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.601-613
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• 2000

Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal progressive fibrous disease of the lung of unknown etiology. Recently it has been classified into several distinct entities on the basis of pathologic and clinical characteristics, ie : usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP), and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). IPF is now applied only for UIP, which has the worst prognosis. The previous reports of 3-5 year median survival appears to be overoptimistic because other types with better prognosis like NSIP or BOOP might have been included. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the clinical course and the prognostic factors of UIP as diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy. Methods : The subjects were 72 UIP patients (age $58.2{\pm}11.6$ years, M : F=45 : 27, median follow up period : 18.1 months (0.7-103.6) diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy at the Asan Medical Center (68 patients) and the Paik Hospital in Seoul (4 patients). Clinical scores (level of dyspnea : 1-20 points), radiologic score (honeycombing : HC score 0-5 points, ground glass : GG score 0-5 points), and physiologic scores (FVC : 1-12 points, $FEV_1$ : 0-3 points, TLC : 0-10 points, $D_{LCO)$ : 0-5 points, $AaDO_2$ : 0-10 points) were summed into a total CRP score. Results : 1) The one year survival rate was 78.3%, while the rate for three year survival was 58.1%, and the median survival period was 42.5months. 2) Short term (1 year) prognosis : The patients who died within one year of diagnosis (14 patients) had the higher initial total CRP score ($28.6{\pm}8.3$ vs. $16.6{\pm}9.7$) than those who lived longer than one year (46 patients). The difference in the total CRP score was attributed to the symptom score ($8.4{\pm}2.1$ vs. $5.7{\pm}3.9$) and the physiologic score ($15.7{\pm}7.1$ vs. $6.7{\pm}5.7$) including FVC, $D_{LCO)$ and $AaDO_2$. 3) Long-term (3year) prognosis : The total CRP score ($12.2{\pm}6.7$ vs. $28.7{\pm}7.9$ : including symptom score, FVC, $D_{LCO)$ and $AaDO_2$) at the time of diagnosis were also different for the long-term survivors and those who lived less than 3 years. 4) Cox regression analysis showed $D_{LCO)$ (${\geq}$60%) (Hazard ratio : 4.56, 95% CI : 2.30-16.04) was the independent prognostic factors of UIP (P<0.05). Conclusion : These results suggest that $D_{LCO)$ at the time of diagnosis seem to be a prognostic markers of biopsy-proven UIP.