• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.672-676
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• 2006

Purpose : Low dose aspirin is used due to its antiplatelet effect for the subacute phase of Kawasaki disease(KD). It is usually used for 6-8 weeks, then various hematologic laboratory tests and follow up echocardiography for evaluating coronary abnormalities are performed. Our review investigated the usefulness of various follow up laboratory tests performed at 6 weeks after the onset of KD. Methods : Two hundred eighty-two children diagnosed and hospitalized with KD were identified by reviewing patient's charts. Cases which were diagnosed between January 1997 and December 2004 were included in this study. We reviewed laboratory data including leukocytes, platelet counts, antistreptolysin O(ASO), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), urinalysis, and echocardiograms performed at admission and 6 weeks after the onset of KD. Paired t-test and Fisher's exact test, as well as logistic regression tests, were used for the statistical analysis. Results : At 6th week data, ESR and CRP were still elevated in 35(12.4 percent) and 12(4.3 percent) patients, respectively. Sterile pyuria were all normalized. But, 36 patients(12.8 percent) showed thrombocytosis, 22(7.8 percent) elevated AST, 15(5.3 percent) leukocytosis, and 6(2.1 percent) coronary abnormalities. Coronary abnormalities at the 6th week were only shown in patients with initial abnormalites. Younger age and initial thrombocytosis were risk factors for thrombocytosis at the 6th week. Conclusion : All children with initial coronary abonormalites should have an echocardiogram at 6 weeks after the onset of fever. In view of case-effectiveness, additional echocardiographic studies are justified only if abnormalities are present at admission. ESR, CRP, and urinalysis performed at the 6 weeks after onset of KD is not significant for clinical information of progression. Platelet count should be estimated at 6th week for a judgement of continuous antiplatelet therapy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.59-71
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• 2000

It is possible to obtain a fast CT scan during breath holding with spiral technique. But the risk of radiation is increased due to detailed and repeated scans. However, the limitation of X-ray doses is not fully specified on CT, yet. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to define the limitation of X-ray doses on CT The CT unit was somatom plus 4. Alderson Rando phantom, Solenoid water phantom, TLD, and reader were used. For determining adequate position and size of organs, the measurement of distance(${\pm}$2mm) from the midline of vertebral body was performed in 40 women(20~40 years). On the brain scan for 8:8(8mm slice thickness, 8mm/sec movement velocity of the table) and 10:10(10mm slice thickness, 10mm/sec movement velocity of the table) methods, the absorption doses of exposed area of the 10:10 were slightly higher than those of 8:8. The doses of unexposed uterus were negligible on the brain scan for both 8:8 and 10:10. On the chest scan for 8:8, 8:10(8mm slice thickness, 10mm/sec movement velocity of the table), 10:10, 10:12(10mm slice thickness, 12mm/sec movement velocity of the table) and 10:15(10mm slice thickness, 15mm/sec movement velocity of the table) methods, 8:8 method of the absorption doses of exposure area was the most highest and 10:15 method was the most lowest. The absorption doses of 8:10 method was relatively lower than those of the other methods. In conclusion, the 8:10 method is the most suitable to give a low radiation burden to patient without distorting image quality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.5 s.262
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• pp.366-375
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• 2006

Background: Hypomagnesemia is a common complication after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical beneficial effect of administration of magnesium sulfate in cardiac surgery. Material and Method: Thirty five patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to magnesium group (n=20) which received magnesium sulfate in priming solution (1 g) and cardioplegic solution (1 g) or control group (n=15) which did not receive it. Arterial blood samples were drawn for measuring $Mg^{++}$ and electrolytes contents, blood gas analysis, CBC, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ $(TNF-{\alpha})$, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), creatine phosphokinase (CpK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), troponin-1 (TNI), prothrombin time (PT) and activated pratial thromboplastin time level (aPTT). Venous blood samples were drawn before and after the operation for measuring activated clotting time level (ACT). Result: $Mg^{++}$ levels in magensium group were higher than those of control group at intraoperative and post-operative periods (p<0.05). dysrhythmias were lower in magnesium group (8 cases out of 17 patients, 46.4%) than in control group (10 cases out of 10, 100%, p=0.050). Conclusion: These results showed that administration of low dose magnesium sulfate during cardiac surgery prevented hypomagnesemia and lowered incidence of dysrhythmia.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.350-357
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• 2014

We studied on pesticide residue and pest control effect when using various types of sprayers on paprika cultivation. Additionally, a test was conducted to optimize chemical content per unit area in condition of optimum pest control. Two types of sprayer were tested (three times) on paprika cultivation which was divided into seven sections. Blind spots were also examined using a water sensitive paper when spraying chemical pesticide, remote controlled sprayer were confirmed to be not effective in terms of its spraying capacity. However, a U-shaped sprayer was confirmed that it sprayed enough on all the parts of a plant in green house including the blind spots. Additionally, it does not exceed the minimum residue limits on the all parts of pesticides residue conditions. When using remote controlled sprayer, water sensitive paper were changed to blue color (82.5% and 81.2%) in terms of controlling Bemisia tabaci and Aphis gossypii based on the two spraying manners. 53.0% and 42.6% of control effect were shown on the fair parts of the plants. However, on the poor parts on which pesticides were not well-sprayed, thus, not-remained, more number of pests increased. Meanwhile, on farming that only one type of pesticide has been used, resistance pests present with very low control effect, even though sufficient amount of pesticide was well-sprayed. On the test of the optimum amount of spraying per a unit area, which shows no differences in the two cases of using 5L and 2.5L of chemical pesticides on 9 plants of paprika that has 81.8% and 84.5% control effect, respectively.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.314-328
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• 1997

A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to low-dose solvent on neurobehavioral performance of 48 male workers exposed to organic solvents. A control group of 50 workers was selected from same factories. Each worker completed a medical and occupational questionnaire and four tests of Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery. These included Benton visual retention test, digit symbol, digit span, and pursuit aiming. Comparison of mean performance showed a significantly poorer performance on digit symbol, digit span, and pursuit aiming. In univariate analysis, age contributed to poor performance on Benton visual retention test and educational level was found to reduce the performance on symbol digit in both groups. Amount of alcohol intake was found to reduce the performance on digit symbol and smoking appeared to slow pursuit aiming in the exposure group. In multiple regression analysis, controlling for age, educational level, alcohol, and smoking, Solvent exposure was found to be associated with performance of digit span, and number of correct dot of pursuit aiming. Age on Benton visual retention, educational level on digit symbol, arid smoking on pursuit aiming were found to be a significant factors on each test items. This study suggest that short-term memory, and perception can be affected easily by chronic exposure of organic solvents which air concentration levels were under the Threshold Limit Value.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10445-10449
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• 2015

Objective: To observe treatment effects and safety of fluvoxamine combined with oxycodone prolonged-release tablets in treating patients with moderate to severe cancer pain. Methods: Patients confirmed pathologically with cancer and complicated with moderate to severe pain, were divided into control and experimental groups. Oxycodone prolonged-release tablets, with or without fluvoxamine, were administrated to all study patients until pain relief. Degree of pain relief, dose of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets, side effects and quality of life were compared before and after treatment. Results: In total, 120 patients were recruited. No statistically significant difference was detected regarding age, gender, types of cancer, KPS between two groups of patients (P>0.05). Baseline pain score of patients with moderate pain in treatment and control group was $4.9{\pm}0.8$ and $5.1{\pm}0.8$, respectively; and decreased to $1.8{\pm}1.1$ and $1.2{\pm}1.1$ after treatment, respectively. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in the treatment group (P=0.028). Average daily consumption of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets was ($54.0{\pm}19.6$) mg and ($44.7{\pm}18.7$) mg respectively, which is lower in treatment grpup than in control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.065). Baseline pain score of patients with severe pain in treatment and control groups were $8.3{\pm}1.1$ and $8.3{\pm}1.1$, respectively; and pain intensity after treatment decreased to $2.9{\pm}1.0$ and $2.3{\pm}1.0$. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in the treatment group, with statistical significance (P=0.026). Average daily consumption of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets was ($132.0{\pm}42.2$) mg and ($110.7{\pm}33.9$) mg, respectively, which is lower in treatment group than in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.035). In terms of quality of life, patients in treatment group had better performance status, daily activity, mood, and sleep than that in control group (P < 0.05). Patients in two groups had similar side effects, eg., constipation, nausea/vomiting, lethargy, dizziness, itchy skin, dysuria, and ataxia. Lower incidence of nausea/vomiting, lethargy, was obtained from patients in treatment than in control group, while significant low constipation was observed in treatment than in control group (35.0% vs 49.2%, P=0.026). Conclusion: Fluvoxamine combined with oxycodone prolonged-release tablets could be more effective in treating patients with cancer pain, and could reduce the dosage of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets and thus be associated with lower side effects, and improved quality of life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7367-7369
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• 2013

Background: Inoperable and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis and low chemotherapeutic efficiency. Sorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor exerting its effects via the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-${\beta}$) tyrosine kinases. Randomized studies have shown a significant contribution of sorafenib to life expectancy and quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of sorafenib therapy in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Data for 103 patients (82 males, 21 females) receiving sorafenib therapy in 13 centers from February 2008 to December 2012 were evaluated. Median age was 61 years and median ECOG performance status was 1 (range: 0-2). 60 patients (58%) had hepatitis B, 15 patients (15%) had hepatitis C infection and 12 patients (12%) had a history of alcohol consumption. All of the patients had Child scores meeting the utilization permit of the drug in our country (Child A). Results: A total of 571 cycles of sorafenib therapy were administered with a median of four per patient. Among the evaluable cases, there was partial response in 15 (15%), stable disease in 52 (50%), and progressive disease in 36 (35%). Median progression-free survival was 18 weeks and median overall survival was 48 weeks. The dose was reduced only in 6 patients and discontinued in 2 patients due to grade 3-4 toxicity, 18 patients (17%) suffering hand-foot syndrome, 7 (7%) diarrhea, and 2 (2%) vomiting. Conclusions: This retrospective study demonstrated better efficacy of sorafenib therapy in patients with advanced HCC compared to the literature while progression-free survival and overall survival findings were comparable. The side effect rates indicate that the drug was tolerated well. In conclusion, among the available treatment options, sorafenib is an efficient and tolerable agent in patients with inoperable or metastatic HCC.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2003

To assess the risk of pesticides on earthworm, the acute toxicities of 10 pesticides were investigated and their toxicity exposure ratios(TERs) were calculated. As the TERs of paraquat dichloride and pendimethalin were more than 100, their risks were rated negligible. Risk of benfuracarb, cadusafos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, endosulfan, isazofos and parathion which have TERs of $10\sim100$ were rated low. However, risk of imidacloprid and phorate which have TER of less than 10 were estimated highly to need a reproduction study. Earthworms were exposed to twenty two pesticides including dazomet 98% GR having PECs of more than $5mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ in artificial soil at standard and double dose for 14 days. All the earthworms exposed to dazomet 98% GR and metam-sodium 25% SL were died to show their high risk, while no serious adverse effects were observed in the soil treated with 15 pesticides, calcite 95% WP, calcium polysulfide 36% CF, chlorothalonil 75% WP, daminozide 85% WP, dichlonil 6.7% GR, etridiazole 25% EC, fosetyl-Al 80% WP, glyphosate 41 % SL, hymexazol 30% SL, iprodione 50% WP, machine oil 95% EC, mancozeb 75% WP, propineb 70% WP, terbuthylazine 80% WP and triazophos 40% EC. In case of thiophanate-methyl 70% WP, copper hydroxide 77% WP, dimethoate 46% EC, tolclofos-methyl 50% WP and propamocarb hydrochloride 67% SL, any effect did not show clearly, suggesting an additional subchronic toxicity study. The risk of thiophanate-methyl 70% WP to earthworm was estimated high, considering its subchronic effect, while effects of copper hydroxide 77% WP, dimethoate 46% EC, tolclofos-methyl 50% WP and propamocarb hydrochloride 67% SL to earthworms were negligible, considering no adverse effects in subchronic tests.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2009

Mushrooms have become a largely untapped source of powerful new pharmaceutical products that poses anti-inflammatory, and antimutagenic, and antioxidant activities. The antioxidant effects of the mushroom may be partly explained by protecting cellular components against free radical. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of chaga mushroom against diabetes, via the mitigation of oxidative stress and reduction of blood glucose, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by intravenous administration of STZ through tail at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Animals were allocated into four groups with 8 rats each. The control and diabetic control group were fed with standard rat feed. The other diabeic groups, the low chaga extract group and the high chaga extract group were fed ad libitum using 0.5 g/kg and 5 g/kg of chaga mushroom extract, respectively, for 4 weeks. The blood glucose levels in the two chaga extract groups showed a tendency to decrease but did not reach statistical significance after the supplementation. Leukocyte DNA damage, expressed as tail length, was found to be significantly lower in the high chaga extract group than in the diabetic control group (p > 0.05). Plasma level of total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) was tend to be higher in the high chaga extract group compared with the diabetic control group. Erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities of two groups did not differ. Although we did not obtain beneficial effect on lowering blood glucose levels in the STZ-induced diabetic rats, this results suggest that the chaga mushroom extracts may initially act on protecting endogenous DNA damage in the short-term experiment.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.39-42
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• 1972

A field experiment was conducted in a moderately well drained paddy field doveloped in a narrow strip of a valley in order to observe changes of potassium requirement in paddy production when lime is applied. The results obtained are as follows; 1. The response of paddy to potassium (K) and lime (L) is represented mathematically as follow; $Y=462.78+11.582K-0.058L-0.768K^2-0.000015L^2+0.2204KL$. It is considered that the increase of potassium reqirement when slaked lime is applied, is partially due to the increased growth of plant accomplished by the improvement of soil conditions such as the reduction of respiration inhibitors and cationic balance in soil solution. 2. An economic analysis of the use of potassium and slaked lime applying the costs, 80 won per kg of paddy, 19 won per kg of potassium and 4 won per kg of slaked lime to the response function above, showed that the slaked lime without potssium brought a large loss, whereas the use of the lime together with potassium increased the profit remarkably. The profit increased when 10kg of potassium per 10 a is applied in addition to 200kg slaked limn, per 10kg is amounted 4,685 won. 3. A linear relationship between the economic optimum dose of potassium (y) and the amount of slaked lime (x) in paddy production, is obtained as follow; $$y=7.48+\frac{2.77}{200}x$$ It is, however, considered that the amount of potassium to he used might differ according to the soil conditions such as the potassium content and cation exchange capicity of the soil.