• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.481-487
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Adiponectin, adipose tissue-specific protein, has anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. It has been found to have a negative correlation with obesity and to play a role in modulating glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Serum adiponectin concentrations are decreased in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. We investigated the difference in adiponectin levels between obese and non-obese children, and evaluated the relationship of serum adiponectin with body mass index(BMI), serum fasting insulin, lipid profiles and homeostasis model assessment(HOMA) in children. Methods : We measured serum adiponectin levels by radioimmunoassay in 113 children(82 obese children and 31 non-obese controls) from 8 to 15 years of age, and also checked BMI, fasting serum glucose, insulin and lipid profiles. Fasting and postprandial serum adiponectin concentrations were compared by oral glucose tolerance tests in 27 obese children. The correlations of adiponectin with BMI, insulin, low density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol and HOMA were analyzed by Pearson's correlation. Results : The serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in the obese group(19.7 mg/mL) than in the non-obese group(27.5 mg/mL)(P<0.01). Serum adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with BMI(r=-0.39, P<0.01), serum insulin(r=-0.28, P<0.01), LDL-C(r=-0.20, P<0.01) and HOMA(r=-0.22, P<0.01). At oral glucose tolerance tests in obese children, postprandial 2 hours adiponectin level(19.8 mg/mL) was decreased compared to fasting level(25.8 mg/mL)(P<0.01). Conclusion : Serum adiponectin concentrations were inversely related to adiposity and insulin resistance in children. We suggest the serum adiponectin level could be used as an early marker of insulin resistance in obese children.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.179-183
• /
• 1980

The efficiency of energy transfer by a population of the farmed pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas was studied during culture period of 10 months July 1979-April 1980, in Geoje-Hansan Bay near Chungmu City. Energy use by the farmed oyster population was calculated from estimates of half-a-month unit age specific natural mortality rate and data on growth, gonad output, shell organic matter production and respiration. Total mortality during the culture period was estimated approximate $36\%$ from data on survivor individual number per cluster. Growth may be dual consisted of a curved line during the first half culture period (July-November) and a linear line in the later half period (December-April). The first half growth was approximated by the von Bertalanffy growth model; shell height, $SH=6.33\;(1-e^{0.2421(t+0.54)})$, where t is age in half-a-month unit. In the later half growth period shell height was related to t by SH=4.44+0.14t. Dry meat weight (DW) was related to shell height by log $DW=-2.2907+2.589{\cdot}log\;SH,\;(2, and/or log $DW=-5.8153+7.208{\cdot}log\;SH,\;(5. Size specific gonad output (G) as calculated by condition index of before and after the spawning season, was related to shell height by $G=0.0145+(3.95\times10^{-3}{\times}SH^{2.9861})$. Shell organic matter production (SO) was related to shell height by log $SO=-3.1884+2.527{\cdot}1og\;SH$. Size and temperature specific respiration rate (R) as determined in biotron system with controlled temperature, was related to dry meat weight and temperature (T) by log $R=(0.386T-0.5381)+(0.6409-0.0083T){\cdot}log\;DW$. The energy used in metabolism was calculated from size, temperature specific respiration and data on body composition. The calorie contents of oyster meat were estimated by bomb calorimetry based on nitrogen correction. The assimilation efficiency of the oyster estimated directly by a insoluble crude silicate method gave $55.5\%$. From the information presently available by other workers, the assimilation efficiency ranges between $40\%\;and\;70\%$. Twenty seven point four percent of the filtered food material expressed by energy value for oyster population was estimated to have been rejected as pseudofaeces : $17.2\%$ was passed as faeces; $35.04\%$ was respired and lost as heat; $0.38\%$ was bounded up in shell organics; $2.74\%$ was released as gonad output, $2.06\%$ was fell as meat reducing by mortality. The remaining $15.28\%$ was used as meat production. The net efficiency of energy transfer from assimilation to meat production (yield/assimilation) of a farm population of the oyster was estimated to be $28\%$ during culture period July 1979-April 1980. The gross efficiency of energy transfer from ingestion to meat production (yield/food filtered) is probably between $11\%\;and\;20\%$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.11
• /
• pp.4603-4608
• /
• 2015

Background: To determine the potential value of serum tumor markers in predicting pCR (pathological complete response) during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively monitored the pro-, mid-, and post-neoadjuvant treatment serum tumor marker concentrations in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (stage II-III) who accepted pre-surgical chemotherapy or chemotherapy in combination with targeted therapy at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between September 2011 and January 2014 and investigated the association of serum tumor marker levels with therapeutic effect. Core needle biopsy samples were assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) prior to neoadjuvant treatment to determine hormone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2), and proliferation index Ki67 values. In our study, therapeutic response was evaluated by pCR, defined as the disappearance of all invasive cancer cells from excised tissue (including primary lesion and axillary lymph nodes) after completion of chemotherapy. Analysis of variance of repeated measures and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed for statistical analysis of the data. Results: A total of 348 patients were recruited in our study after excluding patients with incomplete clinical information. Of these, 106 patients were observed to have acquired pCR status after treatment completion, accounting for approximately 30.5% of study individuals. In addition, 147patients were determined to be Her-2 positive, among whom the pCR rate was 45.6% (69 patients). General linear model analysis (repeated measures analysis of variance) showed that the concentration of cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 increased after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in both pCR and non-pCR groups, and that there were significant differences between the two groups (P=0.008). The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) of pre-, mid-, and post-treatment CA15-3 concentrations demonstrated low-level predictive value (AUC=0.594, 0.644, 0.621, respectively). No significant differences in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or CA12-5 serum levels were observed between the pCR and non-pCR groups (P=0.196 and 0.693, respectively). No efficient AUC of CEA or CA12-5 concentrations were observed to predict patient response toward neoadjuvant treatment (both less than 0.7), nor were differences between the two groups observed at different time points. We then analyzed the Her-2 positive subset of our cohort. Significant differences in CEA concentrations were identified between the pCR and non-pCR groups (P=0.039), but not in CA15-3 or CA12-5 levels (p=0.092 and 0.89, respectively). None of the ROC curves showed underlying prognostic value, as the AUCs of these three markers were less than 0.7. The ROC-AUCs for the CA12-5 concentrations of inter-and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the estrogen receptor negative HER2 positive subgroup were 0.735 and 0.767, respectively. However, the specificity and sensitivity values were at odds with each other which meant that improving either the sensitivity or specificity would impair the efficiency of the other. Conclusions: Serum tumor markers CA15-3, CA12-5, and CEA might have little clinical significance in predicting neoadjuvant treatment response in locally advanced breast cancer.

• Management & Information Systems Review
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.21-32
• /
• 2017

Motivated by the recent cases of negligent social responsibility as manifested by foreign luxury fashion brands in Korea, this study investigates whether agency costs depend on the sustainability of different types of corporate governance. Agency costs refer either to vertical costs arising from the relationship between stockholders and managers, or to horizontal costs associated with the potential conflicts between majority and minority stockholders. The firms with luxury fashion brand could spend large sums of money on maintenance of magnificent brand image, thereby increasing the agency cost. On the contrary, the firms may hold down wasteful spending to report a gaudily financial achievement. This results in mitigation of the agency cost. Agency costs are measured by the value of the principal component. First, three ratios are constructed: asset turnover, operating expense to sales, and earnings before interest, tax, and depreciation. Then, the scores of each of these ratios for individual firms in the sample are differenced from the ratios for the benchmark firm of S-OIL. S-OIL was designated as the best superior governance model firm for 2013 by CGS. We perform regression analysis of each agency cost index, luxury fashion brand dummy and a set of control variables. The regression results indicate that the agency costs of the firms with luxury fashion brand exceed those of control group in the fashion industry in the part of operating expenses, but the agency cost falls short of those of control group in the part of EBITD, thus the aggregate agency costs are not differential of those of the control group. In sensitivity test, the results are same that the agency cost of the firms are higher than those of the matching control group with PSM(propensity matching method). These results are corroborated by an additional analysis comparing the group of the companies with the best brands with the control group. The results raise doubts about the effectiveness of management of the firms with luxury fashion brand. This study has a limitation that the research has performed only for 2013 and this paper suggests that there is room for improvement in the current research methodology.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2014

Urban Green space takes charge of the important role for the physical activity and promotion of health to the residents. Therefore, this study is trying to examine the relationship between the various characteristics of green space and green space usage for physical activity and health promotion. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain the information about patterns of green space usage and perceived neighborhood environments for the residents living in Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do(n=541). Geographic Information System(GIS) was used to construct spatial data about green space accessibility and physical neighborhood environments. A Multiple Linear Regression model was used to examine the association between the characteristics of green space and physical activity, perceived health status and BMI(Body Mass Index). The study results revealed that the residents' physical activities are positively and directly influenced by the number of available public parks and green spaces in the vicinity(${\leq}200m$). The frequency at which residents witness others exercising nearby or the perceived abundance of low-cost gym facilities also factor as positive influences. The closer to the park, the higher the number of parks and area of green spaces, the more comfortable the walk thereto and the denser the neighboring residential area distribution, the perceived health level was found to be the more positively influenced. Further, it was verified that BMI is correlated with the number of public parks and green spaces within 400 m of the resident's home as well as the safety of walkways, the density of neighboring residential areas, the ratio of road, and the density of crosswalk. The significant multiple regression models between the characteristics of green spaces and physical activities and perceived health level were extracted within the significance level of 10%. This study will contribute to provide better understanding the ways in which green space and neighborhood characteristics are associated with physical activity and health. The result of this research will be available in the landscape architecture plan aimed at improving the use of green space for physical activity and reducing obesity.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.643-652
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the size and morphologic characteristics of maxillary primary first molars in Korean children using three-dimensional laser scanner and compare three-dimensional image with preformed stainless steel crown. Scanned three-dimensional images of dental cast taken from 132 children(male 62, female 70) by three-dimensional laser scanner(Breuckmann opto-Top HE100, INUS, Korea) were used. Mesiodistal diameter, buccolingual diameter, occlusogingival height and crown shape of each image were calculated by Rapidform 2004 program(INUS, Korea). The values were statistically compared by independent samples t-test with 95% of significant level. The results were as follows : 1. No significant difference in crown size was found between left and right maxillay primary first molar(p>0.05). 2, Significant difference in mesiodistal diameter, buccolingual diameter, buccal occlusogingival height was found between male and female (p<0.05), and crown size of male was bigger than that of female. 3. Average image of maxillay primary first molar was shaped three-dimensionally and measured. In comparison with 3M stainless steel crown, this image was similar with No.4 or No.5 SS crown in male, No.4 in female. In comparison with ILSUNG SS crown, this image was similar with No.5 in male, No.4 in female. 4 Mesiolingual line angle area, distolingual line angle area and buccogingival ridge were more obvious in average image than 3M stainless steel crown. ILSUNG SS crown was more square and had longer mesiodistal diameter than average 3D image.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.250-257
• /
• 2015

Multi-leaf collimator (MLC) systems are frequently used to deliver photon-based radiation, and allow conformal shaping of treatment beams. Many proton beam centers currently make use of aperture and snout systems, which involve use of a snout to shape and focus the proton beam, a brass aperture to modify field shape, and an acrylic compensator to modulate depth. However, it needs a lot of time and cost of preparing treatment, therefore, we developed the manual MLC for solving this problem. This study was carried out with the intent of designing an MLC system as an alternative to an aperture block system. Radio-activation and dose due to primary proton beam leakage and the presence of secondary neutrons were taken into account during these iterations. Analytical calculations were used to study the effects of leaf material on activation. We have fabricated tray model for adoption with a wobbling snout ($30{\times}40cm^2$) system which used uniform scanning beam. We designed the manual MLC and tray and can reduce the cost and time for treatment. After leakage test of new tray, we upgrade the tray with brass and made the safety tool. First, we have tested the radio-activation with usually brass and new brass for new manual MLC. It shows similar behavior and decay trend. In addition, we have measured the leakage test of a gantry with new tray and MLC tray, while we exposed the high energy with full modulation process on film dosimetry. The radiation leakage is less than 1%. From these results, we have developed the design of the tray and upgrade for safety. Through the radio-activation behavior, we figure out the proton beam leakage level of safety, where there detects the secondary particle, including neutron. After developing new design of the tray, it will be able to reduce the time and cost of proton treatment. Finally, we have applied in clinic test with original brass aperture and manual MLC and calculated the gamma index, 99.74% between them.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.210-218
• /
• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl.) powder on cholesterol-lowering and anti-obesity effects in rats fed a high fat-high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks to induce hyperlipidemic and obese rat model. Weight-matched male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups according to dietary fat, cholesterol levels and Yacon powder levels. Experimental groups were normal diet group (N), high fat-high cholesterol diet group (HFC), high fat-high cholesterol diet with 5% Yacon powder group (HFC-PSL) and high fat-high cholesterol diet with 10% Yacon powder group (HFC-PSH). The body weight gain and FER were increased by a high fat-high cholesterol diet, but gradually decreased in the Yacon powder fed groups compared with the HFC group. Food intake was lower in HFC groups compared with N group. The liver and adipose tissue weights of HFC group were heavier than those of N group, whereas those of groups administered Yacon powder were gradually decreased. The serum ALT, AST, ALP and LDH activities elevated by a high fat-high cholesterol diet were significantly decreased by Yacon powder administration. Levels of serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor showed a decreasing tendency in the Yacon powder fed groups compared with HFC group. The serum HDL-cholesterol level decreased in the HFC group and markedly increased in the Yacon powder fed groups. Levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in liver and adipose tissues were lower in Yacon powder administered groups than those in HFC group. These results suggest that Yacon powder may improve lipid metabolism of serum, liver, and adipose tissue and potentially reduce lipid storage.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.227-245
• /
• 1998

A most appropriate model of 3-D conformal radiotherapy has been induced by clinical evaluation and animal study, and therapeutic gains were evaluated by numerical equation of tumor control probability(TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). The radiation dose to the tumor and the adjacent normal organs was accurately evaluated and compared using the dose volume histogram(DVH). The TCP and NTCP was derived from the distribution of given dosage and irradiated volume, and these numbers were used as the biological index for the assessment of the treatment effects. Ten patients with liver disease have been evaluated and 3 dogs were sacrificed for this study. Based on the 3-D images of the tumor and adjacent organs, the optimum radiation dose and the projection direction which could maximize the radiation effect while minimizing the effects to the adjacent organs could be decided. 3). The most effective collimation for the normal adjacent organs was made through the beams eye view with the use of multileaf collimator. When the dose was increased from 50Gy to 70Gy, the TCP for the conventional 2-port radiation and the 5-port multidimensional therapy was 0.982 and 0.995 respectively, while the NTCP was 0.725 and 0.142 respectively, suggesting that the 3-D conformal radiotherapy might be the appropriate therapy to apply sufficient radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing the damages to the normal areas of the liver. Positive correlation was observed between the NTCP and the actual complication of the normal liver in the animal study. The present study suggest that the use of 3-D conformal radiotherapy and the application of the mathematical models of TCP and NTCP may provide the improvements in the treatment of hepatoma with enhanced results.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.33 no.5_3
• /
• pp.835-854
• /
• 2017

Government regulations and policies are important means of restraining the indiscreet expansion of urban areas. According to the standards from those means, it is clear that the fluctuation of forest green proportion encroached by the increase of urban space is obvious. In this study, we interpreted the changes of urban areas as well as the green ones owing to the urban expansion by the decades from 1996, with focusing on the cities of Seoul and Daegu highly developed in South Korea. The purpose of this study is to analyze the spatial expansion and morphological characteristics of urban land cover using not only satellite imageries (1996, 2006, 2016). but also the urban expansion intensity index (UEII) and GUIDOS program. Ultimately, this study is to compare the changes in the rate of forests due to urban expansions annually analyzed based on areas of forest elevation, slope, and the area of single forest patch. In Seoul, the expansion begun from urban space to suburban areas was comparatively rapid, which led the forest fragmentation and the gradual decline of the single patch. However, when it comes to DEM (Digital elevation model) and slope above a certain standard, by the development regulations, there was little decrease in area by anthropogenic developments. The city of Daegu has increased at a slow speed since 1996 in urban and suburban areas, whereas green forests have greatly increased through green forest conservation campaigns. In this way, as to the government policies and regulations, the quantitative and morphological expansion of cities owing to development could be controlled and forest spaces could be preserved as well. Therefore, regulations and policies by the government should be appropriately utilized for sustainable cities.